The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-28
WILL ACCEPT
 NOMINATION Governor Johnson Ex- plains His Position. NOT AGAINST MIR. BRYAN Declares It a Distinction and a
 Great Honor. Says He Has Done Nothing and win Do Nothins in the Way of or-
 ganisatisn fer His
 Nomination.
NOT AGAINST MR. BRYAN

St. Paul, Minn., March 27.--Governor Johnson today made a specific declar- ation that while he has not sought and will not seek the Democratic nomina- ton for President, he will not refuse the honor if 1t Is tendered him.
 This statement was made in . letter to Swan J. Turnblad. publisher of the Minneapolis Swedish American Post, who had asked Governor Johnson for declaration on the subject. The Gov ernor's letter to Mir. Turnblad Is as follows:
 My Dear Mir Turnblad:
 Your letter of the 23rd of March. in which you state that you have been subjected to many inquiries as to my plans in connection with the Demo- cratic nomination for President. have for acknowlegddment.
 Gov. Johnson'x Letter.
 Tn reply thereto, let me say that I do not believe that any American cit- izen should be an active. open candi- date for the nomination to the Presi- deney. Any American would appreci- ate the high honor which could come to him in being selected as standard bearer of his party. While I recog- nize that the press has much to say about me in connection with this high ofYice. have hitherto avoided any pub lie or private expression regarding my position. Matters have progressed so far. however, that 1t seems to me that should at least say in answer to your interrogation that if the Democratic Party of the nation believed me to be more available than any other man. and felt that by my nomination could con- tribute any service to the party and to the nation, should be happy to be the reciuient of the honor which it would thus confer. I am not unmlndful, eith- CT. of the high honor which has been paid me by the people of Minnesota. and if the Democratic Party cf the State desires to present my name to the next National Coneentfon, asn RuFe I would have no objection: but even if kfinnesota were the only state to declare for me at that time. I should stili feel that the distinction was one of the greatest which could come to me.
 T have done nothing and will do nothing in the way of organization 10 bring about this end. and shall not be a candidate in the sense oa seeking the nomination If. however, those who have the welfare of the country and the Democratic Party at heart. should feel that I am necessary in this year of grace. I certainly shall respond to any call which may be made upon me.
 Not Against Bryan.
 "In this connection l desire it un- derstood that in no sense am l to De a candidate for the purpose of defeat ing Mir. Bryan or any other man; that the only consideration which would induce me to allow the use of my name would be the feeling that I might be necessary to the cause If the Dem- ocratic Party should see it to nomi- nate Mir. Bryan or any one else. the action would meet with my approval and the nominee certainly would have my unaualified support as I should ex- pect his support if conditions were re- versed.
 T have written you fully, that you may thoroughly understand the situa- tiorl. Tn order that there may be no doubt. I would say in answer to your question that if q nomination came 10 ne cartainly should not refuse 1t.
 "Very truly yours,
 "John A Johnson.S