The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-07-01

tend to create a deadlock in a demo
cratic national convention and there
by. perhaps, imperl the standing o
our party in the estimation of the
country. / believe that | am speak
ing the exact truth when | say that
lao personal interest would weigh
with me for one moment as against
Tie lifelong devotion to our party.
a majority of the delegates had no
| declared their preference for me as
their candidate, | could not entertain
your proposition. The fact, however,
that they have done SO on eight sue
cessiVe ballots creates exceptional
conditions which merit careful
| ti'ought
1T is undoubtedly true that the GUS
! tom of our party was violated when
the convention refrained from ratify-
iEg by a twothirds vote. the expressed
wish of a majority. This was done,
according to my understanding. at the
instigation of Mr.. Bryan, who sue
lcessfully solicited the cooperation of
Others in an effort TO prevent such
ratification.
As to Bryan's Attitude.
MIR. Bryan set forth his reasons
III pun OhiHS ltllo tOulSC III HIS hpttA II
leXplaining his own change Of vote
| lie declared that | was candidate
at tn primaries of Nebraska as a
lp"ogrcssive, he was elected delegate
Instructed to vote for me in the na
tional convention. | was regarded
then and have been regarded for years
as a progressive by the democrats and
by Mr.. Bryan. What has since trans
pired to convince Mr.. Bryan that,
though in his Judgment a progressive
only two months ago, | am not a pro
gressive now? Have suddenly prov
oil fa;thless to the prineiples which
have upheld steadfastly for twenty
years? No. Have been recreant TO
my trust as speaker of the house OF
representatives? No. Mr.. Bryan
cites no act of mine rs evidence OF his
assumption. He withholds his vote
from me because he will not partic.
latc in the nomination of any man
whose nomination depends on the
vote OF the New York delegation
Mr., Clark then quotes at length
from the statement which Mr. BRYAN
read in the convention and concludes
although Mr. Bryan's words are.
sllewdly chosen to avoid making a
direct charge upon me. the implica-
tion is plain. 1t is that if elected
president of the United States.
would consider myself obligated to
those who brought about my cleo
ton
CIark's Position.
IT would be unbecoming in uphold
ing my present position to express the
Indignation which ! feel at these
charges upon my character. My
motives have never been questioned
never once during the seventeen
years ! have served in congress
never before was | tested IN any form
3ut whether ! shall become your des-
ignated candidate for president or
rot am your speaker at a time
when your party is in the crucible OF
strength, and cannot in duty, permit
these charges to pass unheeded.
AS speaker as lifelong demo
crat, proud of my party, as an Ameri
can man pronounce Mr. Bryan S
implied accusations both false and
Infamous,
"If | am speaking the truth with re-
81 oct to this matter. it follows nat
mally that the reasons advanced by
Mr. Bryan for voting the custom OF
cur party in resembling the voice Of
the majority are not reasons at all
but the shallowesr Of preteyt5 put
forward to achieve some purpose
/ shall not attempt to divine.
II bid you, then. say to my friends
that / accept with the deepest graft !
ude their renewed assurances OF 10y |
atty. and now declare without qualih- |
cation that my name viii remain be- !
fore the convention subpect to no
trade or dicker until two-thirds Of
the delegates shall have ratified or
have refused to ratify the action OF |
he majority" u /