The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-15
". ]. BRYAN SAYS HE WILL
 ACCEPT THE NOMINATION.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ID

determining of the relative availability Of democratic candidates, but it ought not to have any influence in determin- ing the question whether the one chosen by the democrats should accept the nom nation. If the rank and file of the dem ocratic party desire MT. Bryan to make the race he will make it no matter who may be the republican nominee.
 Chances of Victory.
 Ut has also been charged that MT. Bryan was waiting to ascertain the chances of victory ready to run if tine outlook seemed bright or to refuse to run If the chances seemer unfavora ble. This charge, like the other is without foundation. No one can estimate the chances of the party in the next cam paign with sufficient accuracy to make his candidacy dependent upon the outlook. While democrats have reason to be en- couraged by the fact that democratic principles have grown in popularity and that democratic policies are now praised by many who denounced them a few years ago. and while further encourage ment Is to be derived from the fact that the democratic party is more united than 1t has been for many years and the re- publican party more divided, still the action of the democratic party can not SS ihtAbc NcPtliuSll upon lie prospect OA success The prospects now seem excel lent. but a democratic national conven- ton will be held, platform adopted and candidates nominated whether the pros poets are bright or gloomy, and the party must make the best fight it can whether 1t enters the campaign with fear or with confidence Democrats believe that demo- cratic policies are necessary; they should, therefore, indorse those principles and T ralo their candidates those who, in their judg- ment, will give the party the greatest as- surance of success in the campaign and the country the greatest assurance Of benefit in case of victory
 No man can ask for nomination as a compliment if his nomination will not benefit the party and no democrat would be justified in refusing q nomination if his party demanded his services, and if the members of the party. believe that Mir. Bryan's nomination will help the party, it's principles and it's policies, he will accept the nomination whether the indications point to defeat or victory. A defeat can bring no disgrace where the cause is just one, but cowardice would be disgraceful. especially in one who is as deeply indebted to his party as Mir. Bryan is
 Just a word more. The next cam
 
 conscience. The investigations have shown not only the corrupt use of large campaign funds, but the only source from which they can be drawn namelY--the corporations that seek to convert the government into business asset. The democratic party stands for the doctrine of equal rights to all and special privileges to none, and there fore cannot promise favors to favor seeking corpora tons. If it made such promises to the corporations, it would be guilty of duplicity, for it would have to betray the voters, as the re- publican party has done, in order to reward these corporations as the re- publican party has rewarded the Tn e democratic campaign must be carried on by volunteers who will work be- cause they desire the triumph of dem ocratic ideas We cannot hope to ap- peal to the sordid or to buy the pur- cha sable, even if such a course would contribute toward democratic success. No one should favor MT. Bryan's nom nation unless the party Is willing to open it's books and show where it's contributions come from and for what the money is expended. The republi- can party ought to be challenged to conduct its campaign in this open and honest way and if the republican lead CTS refuse to accept the challenge, tn e democrats can well afford to leave tn e issue with the public. An appeal to con science is politically expedient as well as morally right. for the conscience is the most potent force with which man deals. The national conscience