The Colorado statesman., 1907-11-16
BRYAN READY
TO RUN AGAIN
TWICE A CANDIDATE WILL NOT
REFUSE ANOTHER NOM
NATION.
HE STATES POSITION
WILL NOT ASK FOR OR SEEK
NOMINATION BUT ABIDE BY
HIS PARTY'S DECISION.

Lincoln, Neb.-William J. Bryan will
accept the Democratic nomination for
President in 1908, if it is rendered to
him.
This is the gist of a statement that
appears under the heading, Mr..
Bryan's Position in prominent
place on the editorial page of this
weeks Commoner. He makes it very
plain that he will not seek or ask
for the nomination, but if the rank
and file desire him to take it, he will
accept, no matter who the Republican
nominee may be or no matter what
the prospects for success are. He says
he has deemed it proper to make this
statement at this time, SO that his po-
sition may not be misrepresented or
misunderstood He says he has been
amply recompensed by the party for
all he has done, and is willing to fight
in the ranks without being disap-
pointed or disgruntled. He will not,
however, permit his availability to be
passed upon by few leaders or news
papers that call themselves Demo
cratic, but intrusts the decision to the
voters of the party only. His state
ment follows:
Editorial statement by Mr.. Bryan in
Thursdays issue of the Commoner:
"a year ago last summer, while in
Europe, Mr. Bryan, in an interview,
stated that it was too early to discuss
the campaign of 1908 from a personal
standpoint, although during that sum-
mer the Democratic conventions in
something like half of the states of
the union had passed resolutions COM
plimentary to him and mentioned his
name in connection with the Demo
cratic nomination for President He
has from time to time refused to dis
cuss the availability either of himself
or other candidates believing that the
party should have all the light possible
before attempting selection. A presi-
Dental candidate should fit the plat
form adopted by his party, and plat
forms are made to fit the conditions
existing when the platform is made.
No one can see very far ahead or speak
with certainty as to the issues or as
to the relative Importance of issues in
the campaign. Sometimes day will
change the situation, and a few
months may bring forward a new is
sue which will have an important
bearing upon the availability of Q can
didate. FsN
For this reason Mr.. Bryan has re
fused to make any announcement as to
his own position although he has from
time to time discussed issues old and
new. Now that the election of 1907
is past and plans are being made for
next years campaign, he feels that a
statement is due 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 the
nomination. 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 misrepresent his atti-
tude
"Mr. Bryan will not ask for or seek
nomination; and he will not assume
to decide the question of his avail
ability. He has 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 nomina.
ton as reward, neither should his
ambition be considered, for he has had
honors enough from his party to sat
isfy 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 nomina-
tion of someone else. If he can serve
the party by being its candidate he
will accept the commission and make
the best fight he can.
III the Republicans nominate one
who straddles the issues and attempts
to take both sides, it is none the less
necessary for the Democratic party to
make an aggressive fight. The action
of the Republican convention may
have its influence in determining the
relative availability of the Democratic
candidates, but 1t ought not to have
any influence in determining the ques.
ton whether the one chosen by the
Democrats should accept the nomina.
tion. If the rank and file of the Demo
cratic party desire Mr.. Bryan to make
the race, he will make it, no matter
who may be the Republican nominee.