The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1915-06-11

Champ Clark which resulted in the
nomination of Woodrow Wilson.
Conscientious scruples on matter
on which he has very decided views
are back of Mr.. Bryan's action, just as
they were at Baltimore, when he broke
away from his instructions as dele
gate and swung behind Wilson.
For several months Mr.. Bryan's
friends have marveled at the willing
ness with which he has practically eff
faced his own personality in his ca
pacity as the prime cabinet officer of
the president. Teamwork" was said
to be his watchword, and his every act
and word was devoted to the admins
tration. Observers declared that his
patience in this role was one of the
marvels of recent political events.
Friends OF Mr.. Bryan declared he
did not object to the action of the
president in assuming nearly all the
| functions of the secretary of state un-
til the presidents attitude ran into
line of diplomatic action which was
Numerically opposed to what Mr..
Bryan believed to be the best way to
| proceed.
Robert Lansing, who succeeds Mr..
Bryan as secretary Of state, has been
counsel for the state department since
the early days of Mr.. Wilson's admin
istration. He is son-in-law OF former
Secretary of State John w. Foster, and
it is understood that Mr.. Lansing has
received valuable advice from this
source during the trying days Of the
European war.
Mr.. Lansing is fifty years old. He
| is a son of the late John Lansing of
| Watertown, N Y, where he has made
his home for many years. He has been
counsel for the government in many
| important controversies with foreign
governments, notably in the Boring
sea dispute with Great Britain.
Bryan's Letter Of Resignation.
Following is Mr.. Bryan's letter of
resignation:
Secretary of State, Washington,
June s, 1915.
my Dear Mr.. President:
"It is with sincere regret that l
have reached the conclusion that
should return to you the commission OF
secretary of state with which you hon
ored me at the beginning Of your adj
ministratiOn.
| "Obedient to your sense of duty and
actuated by the highest motives, you
have prepared for transmission to the
| German government a note in which
cannot join without violating what l
| deem to be an obligation to my coun-
try, and the issue involved is OF such
moment that, to remain a member Of
| the cabinet would be as unfair to you
as it would be to the cause which is
nearest my heart, namely, the pre-
| vention of war.
| II, therefore, respectfully tender my
| resignation to take effect when the
note is sent, unless you prefer an
| earlier date. Alike DESTROYS Of
reaching a peaceful solution of the
| problem arising out of the use of
submarines against merchantmen, we
| find ourselves differing irreconciliably
| as to the methods which should be en-
ployed.
| ut falls to your lot to speak Off
i cially for the nation; consider it to
| be none the less my duty to endeavor,
as a private citizen, to promote the
end which you have in view by means
which you do not feel at liberty to
use.
"In severing the intimate and pleas
ant relations which have existed be-
tween us during the past two years,
permit me to acknowledge the pro-
found satisfaction which it has given
me to be associated with you in the
important work which has come be-
fore the state department and to
thank you for the courtesies extended.
with the heartiest good wishes for
your personal welfare and for the sue
cess of your administration, I am, my
dear president,
Very truly yours,
"W. J. BRYAN"
The president, replying to Mr..
Bryan, said:
June s, 1915.
my Dear Mr. Bryan:
Il accept your resignation only be-
cause you insist upon it's acceptance,
and l accept it with much more than
deep regret, with feeling of personal
sorrow. Our two years of close asso-
citation have been very delightful to
me. Our judgments have accorded in
practically every matter of official
duty and of public policy until now;
your support of the work and pur-
poses of the administration has been
generous and loyal beyond praise;
your devotion to the duties of your
great office and your eagerness to
take advantage of every great oppor.
tunity for service it offered has been
an example to the rest of us; you
have earned our affectionate admira.
ton and friendship. Even now we
are not separated in the object we
seek, but only in the method by which