Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-11-16
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER iG. 1907
WILLIAM JENNINGS eRYAN's
STATEMENT.

STATEMENT.
Tho long and eagerly awaited state.
men; OF William jennings Bryan on
his position relative TO whether he
would accept or decline the nomina,
lion for President on tho Democratic
National ticket. IL IL were preferred
20 him. is the declaration OF good,
true. stauncb American. Tho position
taken BY Nj. Bryan in tho matter ~
tho only one he could assume. tits the
position of n sensible man who is
possessed OF M honest ambition and
Is thoroughly mindful of the duties to
tho great political party. of which he
Ia distinguished member. II Is one
OF tho very hest statements that MIR.
Bryan has ever made for the public
and even his severest critics can not
honestly condemn him for making 1t,
or crlticlse his motive II is manly.
straight to the point-absolutely moth.
Ing ambiguous or lodging about it,
and cannot fall but appeal to every
fair minded man.
Mr.. Bryan was quito right when ho
salo that 1t was due to tho people who
were continually asking the question:
"Will YOU accept the nomination." TO
make some sort of formal dcclara.
ton for their benefit. and his state
ment that the delay has not been
causd by any desire to know which
way the Republican wind was blow.
Ing, will be believed by every person
who knows, and Is fair enough to ack.
noTledge II. the utter fearlcssness, OF
Mr. Bryan IN regard TO such matters.
Ills utterancc that he will accept the
nomination. but will absolutely make
isGo effort to secure the honor, and
that II II is given to any other man
he Will not be disappointed or dis.
sruntlcd, has the true ring to 1.-THE
sort OF ring that any American: and
that is nearly every American-loycr
Of tho high minded and the unsclfi\,
likes to hear, The uttcrance of Mr.
Bryan In this respect shows in an un
mistakable manner that he fully an
prec.ates the honor of being the
standard bearer of the great Demo
cratic party, but that he loves his
party more than he does personal pre-
torment. There may have been DAYS
In times past when Mr.. Bryan might
nave been charged with subvert!ng
many things to personal ambition
{ This was one of the most serious
charges that was put against hin
The first time he ran for the presiden
cy IN 1896, aud by some OF his actions
be led the people to believe that Their;
was much truth in the accusations
and he lost thousands Of votes. bu
8 with rlper years Mr., Bryan ha.
broadened and with that broadening
there has come complete climinatio,
Of the personal considerations which
might have prevailed within him a
one time.
mr.. Byan's charge to the Dcmocra
tic party that it should enter into tn
campaign with determination to ar
peal to tho public conscience shonl
20 decided. AS he points out the tim
is ripo for a keynote of this charac
tor. The oyerrulIng power of tn
great corporations and the manner /
which the owl has been handled b
I President Roosevelt, has aroused til
people as they have never been aroul
cd before. The public conscience ha
pecn quickened because the poopl
aave hecome,convinved,that they then
solves have become negligent In thel
duties az citizens, and arc then
gsiycs in part responsible FOR til