The Alaska daily empire., 1915-06-28
BRYAN AND WILSON AND THE BALTIMORE
 CONVENTION

The London News commenting upon the resigna- ton of Bryan said that is fortunate thing that the cool and collected Wilson defeated the emotional Dem ocratc leader for the Democratic Presidential nomin- ation in 1912 strange commentary for great met ropoan newspaper 1t is true when one considers that t was Bryans support of Wilson which turned the tide at Baltimore and gave the standard of Democracy to the Governor of New Jersey However, the mistake is one that probably due to the eronous charge often made by the enemies of Bryan that he seeking the nomination at Baltimore for himself and that 1t was with that end in view that he prevented the nomination of Clark and delayed the nomination for several days while the convention took ballot after ballot
 When we say "erronous charge" we speak with knowledge The great Commoner had reconciled him self to the conviction that he would be President of the United States long before the convention at Bal timore convened The writer heard him declare four months before the converting Of that convention that he was not the man to nominate for President, that there were others who would make stronger candidates and others who could better work out the things for which the Democratic party stood
 On bright sunny morning early in March 1912 Mr. Bryan was escorted from Tacoma to Seattle where he was to speak in the afternoon The delegation on the deck of the Puget Sound steamer with him were all en- thusiastic Bryan mem Judge F. 4. Mcdonald, of Sc attle now dead and Charles c. Hener put the aues- ton fairly to Mr. Bryan. They put 1t in substantially these words.
 asrr. Bryan why do you not become candidate for the nomination this year? This is Democratic year The man nominated for President Baltimore will be elect ed You are the real leader of the progressive hosts of Democracy Three times you have lead forlorn hopes This year you could win. I seems too bad that you should like Henry Clay. refuse to take the nomination in the one campaign in which election would be certain Say the word and the delegation from this State would be for you An announcement from you would electriiy the men who have fought under your banner from ocean to ocean for sixteen years and insure your nom nation. and certain election would follow"
 Placing one hand the shoulder of Judge McDon- aid and the other on the shoulder of sr Heifner Mir Bryan replied almost word for word. as follows:
 eYes boys know how you feel You have been devoted supporters have loyal supporters all over the country who feel just like you do and my heart bleeds to be of service to you and to them. But it won't do There are others who are more available, and who could more certainly work into law the things that we stand for You don't know how strong are the forces that are at work now that Democratic success seems assured to make the Democratic party a reactonary Between now and the close Of the convention at Balt more am more than likely to have to take stand to say things and do thngsthat will make 1t plain to you as N is plain to me now. that would not be an avail able candidate. and am not the man to nominate for President Then he added without pathos in his voice. it is true No boys THE FATEs HAVE DE CREED THAT MY NAME SHALL NEVER BE WRIT TEN. AMONG THOSE OF THE IaieoRTALs'
 Later in the day, the words that are capitalized were used in the speech that he delivered in Dreamand Rink at Seattle.
 After Mr Bryan had made this statement. and there was none who heard him that did not feel that he spoke finally. Mir. Heifner said:
 @Of course. Mir. Bryan. we had been informed that you felt about the nomination you have stated and
 while there is not one of who is not first of all Bryan man who would not rather go down to defeat as we have done three times in the past with you as our leader that to win with anybody else, we have already done what we thought was the best thing We have formed Woodrow Wilson State league and we are do ing all that we can deliver the delegation rom this State to Gov. Wilson,
 aIr Bryan replied:
 ~Go ahead boys; you are making no mistake. Gov Wilson is magnificent man and splendid Democrat He would make great President"
 There was none ln the little party who heard Mir Bryan make the statement on the Tacomaseattl' steamer on Puget Sound who did not know that he wal not candidate for President and there were none 6p who felt certain that Gov Wilson was bis first choice for Che nomination.