Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1907-11-20
BRYAN BAlCANDIDAIE
Willing to Aecep Democratic
NominationFor President {
THINKS CHANGES TO WIN, GOOD
Mr. Bryan oft-Repeated Question by
Saying That He Will Accept Dem:,
osratic Nomination in 1sOs-Does
Not Seek Nomination and Will Not
Assume to Decide Question Of
Availability.

Lincoln, Neb., Speclal.-Wllham d.
Bryan will accept the Democratic
s npmmatien for President in 1908, but
lie Will neither ask nor make fight
for 1T. he says that for year or
! more he has been pressed to answer
the question "Will you accept the
nomination and he believes the
public is entitled to an answer and
to know the position he occupies. The
question that ought TO weigh most, he
says, is whether his nomination will
strengthen the Democratic party
more than the nomination Of some one
else. Not only will he not seek or
ask FOR the nomination, but he will
not assume to decide the question of
B availability, and if the prize falls to
another he will neither be disappoint-
ed or tiisg gruntled. At the same time,
he denies that he has waited this long
in q desire to see MON the Repub-
Leans are likely to nominate, or to
ascertain the chances of victory.
S; ldr, Bryan says
Now Chat the election of 1907 is
past and plans are being made for
next years campaign, Mr.. Bryan
feels that a statement is due to the
public. Those who prefer another
5eandidate are entitled to know his
position and those who favor his NOM
nation have a right to demand an
answer to the question so often put
VIII you accept q nominaation?' his
refusatt to answer the Question has
& led TO the circulation of many false
reports and nnfriendly newspapers
& have taken advantage of his silence
to misrepresent his attitude.
VIII Not Seek Nomination.
Mr.. Bryan will not ask for or
seek nomination and he will not as
sumo to decide the question Of his
3 availability. He has been SO amply
! reeompensed by his, party for what
lie has done and for what, he has en-
dearored to do that he cannot cIsim
; o Nomination as "a reward; neither
should his ambition be considered for
he has had honors enough from his
party to satisfy any reasonable am
bition. 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.
Iff he can serve the party by. being its
candidate, he will accept the commits
ssion and make the best fight he can.
II, however, the choice falls upon
: another, be will not be disappointed
or disgruntled. His availability is
question to be DECIDED not by him, nor
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 entrusts
the decision of the question-they
are the Supreme Court in all matters
concerning candidates, as they are in
all matters concerning the platform.
Party Must Depend Upon It's Merits.
g He assumes that they will not
sdect him unless they desire to make
MI aggressive fight for the applica-
fion of Democratic principles to pre-
sent conditions, 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 who see political records and
will invite confidence and give assur-
ance tdat victory, if won, will not
be a barren victory.
The Republicans must nominate
either reformer, stand patter or
Z one whose position on public ques-
tions is unknown, and the course Of
the Democratic party should be the
! same no matter which element con-
trols the Republican convention. The
Democratic party must make the fight
for what it believes. While it may
take advantage. of Republican mis-
takes, it must depend upon its own
merits for success and not upon the !
error of Its opponents.
issss The action of the Republican con-
.ention may have its Influence in the
{ determining of the relative avail9bil-.
lily Of Democratic candidates, but it
ought not to have any influence in
determining the question whether the
ons dEHpgsn By the Democrats should
sceept fhe iaiuin iiopi IL iha rank
F.la aIs 1 q & sssa nssassyssga aassy ls.