The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-12-06
STATES
HIS POSITION
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS POLITICAL DECLARATION
TIONs-sAYs A STATEMENT AND
HIMSELF RUN IF DEMOCRATS SILL WANT
THEIR

LINCOLN, New, Nov. 15.-William
j. Bryan will accept the Democratic
nomination for President in 1908, but
he will neither ask nor make a fight
for it, He says that for a year or
more he has been pressed to answer
the question "Will you accept nom
ination?" and he believes the public Is
entitled to an answer, and to know the
! position ne occupies
The question that ought to weigh
most, he says is whether his nominal
ton will strengthen the Democratic
some one else. Not only will he not
! seek or ask for the nomination, but
he will not assume to decide the ques-
ton of availability, and if the prize
falls to another he will neither be dis
appointed nor disgruntled. At the
same time, he denies that he has wait
ed this long in a desire to see whom
the Republicans are likely to nominate
or to ascertain the chances of victory
Mr.. Bryan says:
|
past and plans are being made for
next years campaign, l feel that a
statement is due to the public. Those
who prefer another candidate are en-
titled to know his position, and those
| who favor his nomination have a right
to demand an answer to the question
so often put, Will you accept a nom
| ination? His refusal to answer the
question has led to the circulation OF
many false reports, and unfriendly
newspapers have taken advantage Of
his silence to misrepresnt his attitude
Mr.. Bryan will not ask for or seek
a nomination, and he will not assume
to decide the question of his avail
| ability. He mas been so amply recon-
pensed by his party for what he has
done and for what he has endeavored
to do that he cannot claim a nominal
ton as a reward neither should mis-
ambition be considered, for he has mad
hOnors enough from his party to salts
fly any reasonable ambition. The only
| question that ought to weigh with the
party is whether the party can be
strengthened and aided more by his
nomination than by the nomination
of some one else.
IF he can serve the party by being
its candidate he will accept the com
mission, and make the best fight he
can. If, however, the choice falls up
on another he will not be disappoint-
ed or disgruntled. His availability is
a question to be decided, not by him.
not by few leaders, not even by the
leading newspapers that call them
selves democratic, but by the voters
OF the party, and to them he intrusts
the decision of the question-they are
the supreme court in all matters con-
corning candidates, as they are in all
matters concerning the platform
He assumes that they will not Sc
lect him unless they desire to make an
aggressive fight for the application OF
democratic principles to present condi-
tons, and he also takes it for granted
that the organization of the party will
be in harmony with the platform. and
will be composed of men whose politi-
cal records will invite confidence and
give assurance that a victory, if won,
will not be a barren victory.
The Republicans must nominate
a reformer, standpatter or one whose
position on public questions is I'M
known, and the course of the Demo
, cratic party should be the same, no
matter which element controls the Re
publican convention. The Democratic
party must make the fight for what It
, believes. While it may take advan-
tage of Republican mistakes, it must
depend upon it's own merits for sue
cess, and not upon the errors of its
opponents.
The action of the Republican con
yention may have its influence in the
determining of the relative available
ity of Democratic candidates. but II
ought not to have any influence in de-
termining the question whether the
= one chosen by the Democrats should
accept the nomination. If the rank
and file of the Democratic party desire
Mr. Bryan to make the race. he Wi
$685.
BORRESEN SAILS DECEMBER IA.
Norwegian S. S. Admiral Borresou
which came here in distress Noyem.
Der 10, will be ready to sail for the
Orient with her lumber cargo on Sat
urday Decembe IA.
British S. S. Queen Helena. Captain