The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-01-13
Mr.. BRYAN AND HIS PARTY

SAYS that nominal democrats Ca new
breed, perhaps), should see that their
own policies and principles are in
harmony with the progressive spirit
of the party and leave Mr.. Bryan al
together alone. That paper says that
Mr.. BRYAN needs no excuses and no
defense.
This paper takes occasion to say
that Mr. Bryan has been honored by
the democratic party more than any
other man that has ever been a MEM
Der of it, and he owes that party his
allegiance He has been honored by
it more than Jefferson, it's founder;
more than Andrew Jackson, one of
the most brilliant expounders of its
faith, SO he should be the last man
in it to sulk in his tent like the ia
nous Achilles and ask to be let
alone"
Democrats throughout the country
propose to have big Jackson Day
celebration in Baltimore, the main
purpose of which is to celebrate the
magnificent victory which the demo
Gratis achieved in the late election,
winning back to her fold states that
had gone worshipping after strange
gods for number of years. 1t is pro-
posed to make the meeting a jubilee,
letting "bygones be bygones," and for
all democrats to come together and
once more smoke the pipe of peace.'
Occupying the place that he does in
the party it would have been mat
ter for general resentment if Mr.. Bry-
an had been ignored, and had been
unlimited to this general jubilee"
Whatever kind of democrat the es-
teemed Pensacola Journal shall be
pleased to designate this paper
nominal" "insurgent, progress
ive," "bourban," or what not-the in
extended to Mr. Bryan was
couched in language, it seems TO it,
the most unoffending, and just why it
should have caused him to have sound
ed a "discordant note" is beyond it's
comprehension.
This paper invites careful attention
to the wording of the invitation. 1t is
as follows:
You are earnestly requested to be
one of the speakers at the jackson
Day celebration, to be held in Balti-
more on January 18th, in honor of
the recent democratic victory
throughout the country. This celebra-
ton is being made a national affair
and there will be large afternoon
and a banquet at night, at
both of which gatherings a great
many representative democrats from
all parts of the country have express
ed determination to be present.
Note carefully Mr.. Bryan's reply:
Please express to Governor Croth-
ers and other members of the execu-
tive committee my appreciation of in
just received via Lincoln. 1t
will be impossible for me to be pres
ent, and l hesitate to send letter to
be read at the celebration, lest it
might prove a discordant note, if, as
would infer from the preliminary ar
those who originated the
are dissatisfied with the last
democratic national platform That
platform was satisfactory to the
party two years ago and is satisfac-
tory to the rank and file now The
victory of last month was, in my judg-
ment, largely due to the fact that sew
eral planks of that platform had al
ready been indicated by events, and
events have, since the election, vindi-
Gated other planks
Mr.. Bryan loves to travel, he loves
to speak; why is it impossible for him
to be present at this celebration, the
object of which is to "get together"
and, forgetting past differences, once
more Smoke the pipe of peace?" III
it is impossible for him to be present
why should he hesitate" to write
letter extending his congratulations
and good wishes? Why, at a general
rejoicing of this sort, should a letter
from him sound "discordant note?"
There was nothing said in his invita-
ton that there was any dissatisfac-
ton about the last national platform
Why should he infer any such thing?
If, as he says, that platform was sat
isfactory to the rank and file, and
the November victories were largely
due to it, why should he hesitate to
meet with other democrats and shout
over the victory thus achieved?
There is no occasion for even the
suggestion of "discordant note"
AS we understand it, friend of Mr..
Bryan's of long standing, was the
democratic nominee for governor of
Nebraska in the November election:
Mr.. Bryan turned his back upon this
friend, bolted the democratic
nomination and gave the influence of
his magnificent presence and standing
in the party to his political opponent.