Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1908-07-22
PRAISE FOR Mr.. BRYAN,
A Salisbury Friend and AdmIrer Of the
Nebraskan Writes Of Him.

A Salisbury Friend and AdmIrer Of the
| Nehraskan Writes Of Him.
There is probably no man in
North Carolina who knows W. J.
Bryan any better than Hon. Theo.
F. Kluttz, and it is a sure thing
that the Democratic candidate for
president has no warmer admir9r
Or more enthusiastic supporter
anywhere. Mr.. Kluttz addressed
a communication to the Charlotte
Observer. a portion of which will
be of interest to our readers. In
| speaking of Thos. E. Watson's
charge that Bryan had said that
he could not vote for a Coufeder-
ate soldier for any position, Mr..
Kluttz says: "This is an old Ca
nard and has so often been discred-
tied that now it ought not to ex-
cite even contempt. 1t is simply
discredited lie, and one which is
now revived for sinister purposes,
know Mr.. Bryan so we'll and
have so enjoyed his confidence as
to be able to assert positively that
he entertains no such views as are
now attributed to him by his
wilholm supporter and admirer,
Mr.. Watson. It will strike most
people as at least surprising that
Mr.. Watson should have heretofore
supported him, with full knowl.
edge of what he now alleges as
ground for his non-support(?)
As somewhat relevant to this
question I may be permitted to
say that I was chairman of the
North Carolina delegation to the
Chicago convention of 1896, which
first nominated Mr.. Bryan for the
presidency, and that North Caro-
lima was that first State to declare
openly for him. During the ear
lier sessions Of that convention
Mr.. Bryan, by invitation, sat with
the North Carolina delegation,
and until as member Of the del
egation from Nebraska, he was
d mitted to his rightful place as
delegate, I was thoroughly in
touch with him during all the
scenes and conflicts of that con-
vention.
Immediately apropos, however,
to the matter of the Watson
charge, I desire to say that after
the nomination of Mr.. Bryan
there was an adjournment, and a
meeting of the chairmen of the
different state delegations and
national committeeman favorable
to him, to consider the question
of a nominee for vlce-president.
Judge Clark, of North Carolina /;
Senator Daniel, of Virginia; Sena-
tor Tillman, of South Carolina,
and perhaps other Southerners,
all ex-Confederates were named
by their respective States. The
first question for consideration
was whether it was wise to nomi-
nate Southern man. To the
best of my humble ability, I in-
sisted upon the nomination of a
Southern man and that Judge
Clark be the nominee. The advi-
stability Of nominating Southern
man was fully discussed and the
opposition thereto came almost
entirely, as 1 recollect, from
Southern men, purely as a matter
of policy.
In answering, or attempting tc
answer this argumet, I turned tc
Mr.. Bryan who was sitting neal
me, and asked his opinion. ]
shall never forget his answer
Speaking SO that he could be easi.
ly heard by the entire assemblage
he said in substance: II have nc
desire to dictate the nominee fol
vice-president. All I ask ls that
the nominee be true Democrat
loyal to the platform and the tick
ct, and one who can command
the respect and support of the
party, regardless Of where he
comes from. / have no objection
to the nomination of any of the
Southern men named, nor of any
man because he comes from the
South, any more than 1 woulc
have to the nomination of any
other man because he comes from
the North, East or West.''
| I reproduce this from pretty