Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-11-28
IBRYANMAYACCEPT
The Nebraskan, However, States 81
Will Make no Fight for the
Nomination.
MAKES HIS POSITION KNOWN
None Should Favor His Candidacy
Unless Willing to Open the
Books Of Campaign Re-
ceipts ana Expenses.

| tEHIN --------
Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 15.--William J
Bryan will accept the democratic
nomination for president in 1908, bu'
he will neither ask nor make fight
for It. He says that for year OF
more he has been pressed to answer
the question, "WiII you accept nomi
nation?" and he believes the public
is entitled to an answer and to know
the position he occupies. The Ques
ton 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 NJ. seeh
or ask for the nomination, but he
will not assume to decide the ques
ton OF availability and II the prizt
falls to another, he will neither be
disappointed nor disgruntled. At the
same time, he denies that he has
waited this long in desire to see
whom the republicans are likely tt
nominate or to ascertain the chancei
Of victory.
Mr.. Bryan says:
"Now that the election Of 1907 IL
past and plans are being made fol
next years campaign, Mr.. Bryan
feels that a statement Is due to the
public. Those who prefer another
candidate are entitled to know hif
position, and those who favor hia
nomination have a right to demand
an answer to the question so often
put, will you accept a nomination.
His refusal to answer the question
has led to the circulation Of many
false reports, and unfriendly news
papers have taken advantage Of his
silence to misrepresent his attitude.
"Mr. Bryan will not as for OF
seek nomination, and he will NOT
assume to decide the question Of his
availability, The only question that
ought to weigh with the party IA
whether the party can be strength.
ened and aided more by his nomina-
ton than BY the nomination Of some
one else. II he can serve the party
by being its candidate, he will 40
cept the commission and make the
best fight he can.
1.-THE republicans must nominate
either a reformer, stndpatter OF
one whose position on public Ques-
lions is unknown, and the course Of
the democratic party should be the
same no matter which element, con- |
trolls the republican convention. The
democratic party must make its fight
for what 1t believes. While 1t may
take advantage Of republican mis-
takes, 1t must depend on Its merits
for success and not on the error OF
its opponents.
mo one can estimate the chances
Of the party in the next campaign
with sufficient accuracy to make his
candidacy dependent on the outlook.
While democrats have reason to be
encouraged by the fact that demo-
cratic principles have grown in popu-
larity and that democratic policies
are now praised by many who de-
nounced them a few years ago and
while further encouragement is to be
derived from the fact that the demo-
cratic party Is more united than
1t has been for many years, and the
republican party more divided, still
the action Of the democratic party
can not be made dependent on the
prospect Of success.
None should favor Mr.. Bryan's
nomination unless the party is VIII
ing to open its books and show
where its contributions come from
and for what the money Is expended.
The republican party ought to be
to conduct It's campaign
in this open and honest way and II
the republican leaders refuse to sc-
eept the challenge. the democrats can
we'll AFFORD to leave the issue with
the public. An appeal to conscience
is the most potent force with which
nan deals. The national conscience
. AZ already been aroused.