Mr. Bryan and Mr. Watson.
When I was in Nebraska in 1904 Mr. Bryan showed me every courtesy; therefore, it was most appropriate for me to reciprocate at the first opportunity. When Mr. Bryan reached the State of Georgia, during his recent tour of the South, I wrote him a note which he gave to the press, and which our readers have doubtless seen.
Not long afterwards the following personal acknowledgement was received:
September 22nd, 1906.
Hon. Thos. E. Watson.
My Dear Mr. Watson:
I received your letter at Augusta and thank you very much for your cordial greeting.
I am sorry that it was impossible for us to stop over with you. It is gratifying to know from what I have learned that we are going to be able to act together in the coming contest. There has been a remarkable change in public sentiment, so that things that were formerly denounced as radical are now regarded as not only quite reasonable, but even necessary. If you come our way, we shall be glad again to see you, only hoping that you may have more time than when you last visited us. Mrs. Bryan joins me in best wishes.
Very truly yours,
W. J. BRYAN.
***
Mr. Bryan says: “It is gratifying to know from what I have learned that we are going to be able to act together in the coming contest.”
Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see the National Democratic party undergo a general casting out of the unclean spirits that have taken possession of it. If it should become truly Democratic, if it should return to the principles of the fathers, if it should renounce Hamilton and all his works, if it should rebaptize itself in the creed of Jefferson, if its National organization should expel every tool of the Trusts, every agent of Wall street, every beneficiary of special Privilege—then the Democratic party would stand for substantially the same things as The People’s Party.
That being so, why should we not be able “to act together?”
Party names are nothing. Principles are everything. True reformers think more of having the work done than of getting the credit. Many Populists condemned me in 1905 for advising them to support Hoke Smith for Governor of Georgia. No Populist condemns me now. Everybody realizes that there are more Populists in Georgia today than there ever were before.
Read once more the strong, manly letter which Hoke Smith wrote for the first issue of the Weekly Jeffersonian, and then remember that thirteen years ago the writer was a member of Cleveland’s Cabinet—then you will realize how immensely the man has grown.
Well, his Democratic followers have grown with him, and we Jeffersonians vastly outnumber the moss-backs throughout the State of Georgia.
***
As Mr. Bryan says, a great change is coming over the people. Doctrines which were scouted a few years ago are shouted now. Radicals who were hooted, howled down and rotten-egged a few years ago are getting bouquets now. The Hearst editorials and speeches read like Populist harangues of 1892. The Bryan platform of 1906 embraces what was considered the wildest plank of the People’s Party platform of 1891.
“Act together,” William? Why not—if you take our principles for your creed and reorganize your old party to fit your new faith?
***
That all true reformers may find a way to “act together” is a consummation devoutly to be wished. A conference between Bryan, Hearst and myself for that purpose was suggested immediately after the election of 1904, but neither Mr. Bryan nor Mr. Hearst seemed to approve.
What may happen between now and 1908 no one can foretell, but I am still hoping that some honorable plan may be hit upon which will enable all true-hearted reformers to “act TOGETHER” and overthrow this fearful system which enables the privileged few to plunder the unprivileged many.