The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-05-04


letter addressed by Governor Haskell
10 GOV John A. Johnson Of Minnesota
mention OF which was made in satur-
days Leader The letter Is IN reply
to a letter from Gov Johnson's cam
palgn secretary, advocating the candi-'
dacy OF the Minnesota executive for
the democratic presidential nomina-
ton:
"On April II our campaign secre-
tary addressed one or the open let
ters to me, announcing and advocat-
ing your candidacy for the democra-
tic nomination for president of the
United States
! As one who has admired many
: things YOU have accomplished in the
past ! read the letter with great care
and have given it much consideration
before writing this answer, and re-
sget now that ! am forced TO dissent
from both the spirit and the tenor Of
the letter, and see no reason to
change my personal views as 10 the
best policy OF the national democracy
! am now where have stood for
years-for w J. Bryan.
The suggestion that democracy is
drifting toward an autocratlo couven-
ton where popular choice is to be
subordinated to personal viii" is
clearly nnwarranted Nlr Bryar has
appealed to the people of every state
40 let the masses. Of the party select
tho delegates to Denver and instruct
them. as the great masses. (tha rank
and file OF democracy assembled in
sheir own home communities might
deem wise.
Can any method be farther from au-
toc8tic convention thar Ehis? Your
letter says. "the democracy Of the ma
tion has for twelve years been losing
ground that tb ~ conditions mean
certain defeat, etc.
am forced to lhatieally dissent
from this statement. W. T. BRYAN
has failed to secnro q sufficient NUM-
beY OF votes to elect him to the presi-
dency. but Bryanism has never been
defeated. The history OF the world
does not chronicle q single rcf1rma-
tion nor single victory won by the
common people except az the ega of
long, persistent eaort AT the begin
nine OF 1896 there was little in the
leadership Of either Of the great po-
litical parties to warrant applause
fr0is the common people of the United
States. II was then Organism be
came national issue. IL was then
That policies Of government we're 9ro-
posed that would protect the honest
dollar. and at the same time, and with
equal force protect him who honestly
earned the dollar Organism never
demanded oppression of the rich nor
4 oppression of the great industries Of
our country, bat Organism did de-
mand that the strength OF capital
and corrupt political Influences
/ should cease 10 oppress the weak or
to prey upon the earnings Of the
masses The hattie of 1896 was
fought Left TO the people themselves
[ Il would have been an overwhelminr
| victory for Bryan. even with TIA
short beginning. but Governcr John
Il son. YOU and I know that baltic was
1 not left to the people. disclosures
since that time have confirmed the
suspicious, then existing, that the
great corporations Of the United
States whose robbery of the public
i was legalized by corrupt officials.
1 literally poured their millions of
wealth into t1a campaign treasury
opposed 70 Organism, 10 purchase
the defat OF Brvan's motto, Let the
People Rule
All sorts of terrible pictures of dis
tress and disaster in case of Bryans
lalection were painted and held up 10
4 mtimidate the vcter. They told us
Il that prosperity in our country must
depend upon the peoples support Of
the so-calIed Captains OF Industry
! Corruption, greed and monopoly de
4 feated w j Bryan in 1896 but Bryan
/ ism was not defeated, nor even dim
med A bubble was built in the in
duatrial and financial world and cen
4 taineS crcrsises of full dinner pals
an,t universal prosperity Carried
along "a few years and the same i'm
fluencos defeated the election of w
4 } Bryan IN 1900 but Bryanism con
tinued TO grow The successful can
didate OF both of these elections was
+. compelled 20 advocate Organism II
order to secure his personal success
4 II takes tinle 10 win this battle. Just as
Il has taken TIME 10 promote nteli
eence, patriotism and ultimate sue
cess in every step that tho worl,
has taken forward in the annals o
history.
Bryauism Is a great step I'm govern
meht by the people and for the peo
pie aud enc that graft. greed an'
monopoly viii never surrender 10 s
long as intrigue and corruption cal
defeat it but democracy has grow
stronger in the recent wears than j
has stood for these vital issues Yol
. laVo haan "a tvorfhV aaufafn un1o