New-York tribune., 1908-09-07
SHEPARD FOR BRYAN.
Praises Taft, Houeuer, and Disap-
prOues Parts of Democratic Platform

1,sr7 NJ sbenard issued a statement yester-
dav to say that he would support MI Bryan iol
the Presidency. In 1895 he opposed Bryan anu was
one Of the organizers of the Gold Democracy III
ION bouever he returned to the party ana pre-
sided over large Bryan meeting The following
wear he was named for Mayor by Iamnahy' pu'
was defeated by Seth Low. He supported Judge
Parker four years ago
Mr. Shepard takes occasion to pay hlgh tribute "
tho nersonal worth of Mr. Taft but objects to the
programme which, he says, the Republican cahdI-
date is pledged to carry out Ihe chlei thlAs9 u
which he objects the protective tarln ana "h"l
he calls the "iuperialistic policy. He refers 10
third policy which he does not name pul ue
clares is based on ia wlessness brutality.
What matters it, declares Mr. Shepard Whe'her
the minor items of Mr.. Bryans policy are approved
bv those who oppose the three things OF Which ne
speaks He says he knows that here in the North
east the greater number of rich or well-to-do ana
nearly all great pecuniary interests are supporting
Taft and that. if Vermont is any barometer the
Northeast will be divided nearly evenly as 1t was
in 1883.
The full statement follows:
shall support Mr. Bryan for the Presidency
The issues being at last fully made up, am
unable to see that Americans (of WioHl L couaI
myself who cherish the traditional and benefl
cent Democracy which signally represented by
MIR. Cleveland, can rightly do otherwise t9am SUP
cIeveiand's article which has been published sey-
enough and intrinsicaiiy shows-and we should
naturally infer from Mr.. CIevelands long illness
aaTed nnr ne for the campagn with the issues which
now have or that It reRrefented m on
cannot think It quite hitting or fair that the arti-
NAM however who, like myself will support Mr..
Bryan in 1905 agree with almost all of Mr. Cleve-
must promote the policies for which to-day the Re
publican party stands even those who Ike myself ell
POLICIES ought to be thankful that that party has
minded gentleman of statesmanlike ability and ex
perence in the very work which the President VIII
benignly influence his performance of the routine
duties Of the Presidency But if his solemn state T.
is. sincere and Intelligent. then his very gifts and
mote a programme the chief items of which every
Democrat surely, and, l believe, every other good
future future welfare of our country.
l know well that here at the Northeast T the the
nearly all great pecuniary interests are supporting
seemingly explicit understanding that if success
full. he is not to keep his word that he is to 60
and irrevocably counted, he is, are confidently
assured to dsappGr S6 Whose SoG 9tes
all of the Roosevelt programme which has at
gerous This support imputes to Mr.. Taft an in
sincerity of which l do not believe him guilty.
ve hS prosramme 5aa Which Is bhorren to-day to
ninety nine out Of every hundred Cleveland Demo
from MIN outspoken and courageous words.
aiI these Years of his Cabinet service supporter
either openly or tactly of all the items and every
Roosevelt
a doubt would he to-day ask for the Presidency
on the promise that his administration would con-
tinue them all.
whatever be the view of the majority of the So
called business interests in this northeastern
mart of our country the American people will l
believe. give Mr.. BRYAN in 1908 far more re-
spectful and far larger support than he received
in 1895 or 1900 If Vermont be the barometer,
then the Northeast is to-day as nearly evenly di-
yided as it was in 1883. when Mr.. Harrison was
elected by a small plurality in New York and in
spite Sar of PSpqmnF Mar taking the whole
The wonderful love which Mr.. Bryan has inspired
among the masses of Americans is not stupid. He
feels indeed human rights more intensely than
most men; but cannot infer that, when vested
with official power. he will not have the sobrety
which under Republican administration has been
sa div lacking at the white House. Quite the con-
trary II Mr. Bryan there, know In his
unquestioned patriotism that he will so far as he
can reverse the three great policies for which Mr..
Taft stands, and that on lesser matters he will
act with wise caution and after reasonable and
defertntial consideration of the sentiments of the
great body of citizens who. while they opposed him
In 1896 (and most of them In 1900 give him to-
dav their earnest and trust, their decisive sup
port