The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1907-11-22
BRYAN WOULD NOT REFUSE
BUT WILL NOT ASK FOR NOR
SEEK A NOMINATION.
PUBLIC STATEMENT BY BRYAN

MIR. Bryan viii Not Assume to Decide
the Question Of His Availability.
Conditions Under Which He Believes
the Democrats Can Win.
Lincoln, Nov 15.-Mr Bryan makes
the following editorial statement in
the Commoner today, being his first
public utterance on the question of
the presidency. In this statement Mr..
Bryan says that he will not seek for
the nomination and he will not as
sumo to decide the question of his
availability, but the public Is given to
understand that he will by no means
refuse to be candidate for president
If the nomination Is rendered him
Following is his editorial statement:
A year ago last summer, while In
Europe, Mr.. Bryan In an interview
stated that 1t 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 pos
sible before attempting a selection. A
presidential candidate should fit the
/ N w
platforms are made to fit the condi-
lions existing when the platform is
made. No one can see very far ahead
or speak with certainty as to the is
sues or as to the relative Importance
of issues in the campaign. Sometimes
a day will change the situation, and a
few months may bring forward new
issue which will have an important
bearing upon the availability of can
didate. For this reason Mr.. Bryan
has refused to make any announce
ment 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 can
didate are entitled to know his posi-
ton, and those who favor his nomina-
ton have 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
lunfriendly newspapers have taken ad-
vantage of his silence to misrepresent
his attitude.
Mr.. Bryan will not ask for or seek
a 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 can not claim a nomina-
ton as a reward neither should his
ambition be considered, for he has had
honors enough from his party to salts
lfy 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 nomination of
someone else. If he can serve the
party by being it's candidate, he will
accept the commission and make the
best fight he can. If, however, the
choice falls upon another, he will not
be disappointed or diSgruntled. His
availability is a question to be decided
not by him, not by few leaders, not
even by the leading newspapers that
call themselves democratic. but by the
voters of the party, and to them he
ntrusts the decision of the question
they are the supreme court in all mat
tiers concerning candidates, as they
are in all matters concerning the plat
form.
He assumes that they will not select
him unless they desire to make an ag.
lgressive fight for the application of
democratic principles to present con-
ditionS, and he also takes it for grant
ed that the organization of the party
will be composed of men whose po-
litical records will invite confidence
and give assurance that a victory, if
won, will not be barren victory.
1t has been asserted that Mr.. Bryan
was waiting to see who the republican
nominee would be. This is untrue.
He has never felt that his position
should be dependent upon the action
taken by the republican party. The
republicans must nominate either a
reformer, standpatter or one whose
pOoltlOh puDllC quSollOlS 10
known, and the course of the demo
cratic party should be the same no
matter which element controls the re-
publican convention. The democratic
party must make its fight for what it
believes. While it may take advantage
of republican mistakes, it must de
, pend upon its merits for success and
not upon the errors of it's opponents
If the republicans nominate a stand
: patter the democrats can take advant
age of the educational work that has
been done by republican reformers
if the republicans nominate a candi
date who is believed to be favorable
, to reform, such a nomination will
[ strengthen democratic doctrines, be
cause republican reformers advocate
the reforms that the democrats have
advocated before them, and the demo