Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1898 — Where’s Bryan’s Boasted Patriotism ? [ARTICLE]

Where’s Bryan’s Boasted Patriotism ?

An Open Letter to William Jennings Bryan Calling Attention to His Boast of Patriotism. \ Charles M. Travis, of Crawfordsville, addresses the following open letter to the Indinapolis Journal: Dear Sir —On Oct. 22, 1896, when you passed through Crawfordsville, Ind., the home of Gen. Lew Wallace, on your election tour, and spoke six minutes for the purse your fellow-citizens donated to you, and for other considerations you threw back your head and exolaimed: “I will pit my patriotism against that of Lew Wallace or any other man.” You are doubtless aware that war is upon us, and that a call for 125,000 volunteers has been authorized by Congress and made by thej President of the United States. ; Immediately after the destruction of the battle-ship Maine, and prior to the call for volunteers, Gen. j Lew Wallace telegraphed the President of the United States, tendering his services as a soldier , in case of war, making only the one condition, to wit, that he be placed in active service in the field, making no reference to position or rank. In view of your public declaration of your patriotism, in which you pitted it against that of Lew Wallace or any other man, the undersigned, and hundreds of other citizens who heard your speech are anxiously awaiting some proof of the truthfulness of your boasted patriotism. Have you volunteered? Have you tendered your services to the country in any capacity to show that you were sincere in your declaration? You are a young man, possessed of a splendid physique, and could stand the military or naval service much better than Gen. Lew Wallace at his advanced age, arid with the natural infirmities that follow active and faithful service through two wars, yet the people are not appraised of any offer from you to help sustain the honor of your country now that you are given the opportunity. Have you done anything since war became imminent, except to make speeches advocating your renomination for th o Presidency, ch argi ng admission to those who would hear you at the rate of 25 cents per head? Do you imagine that you are fit to be President of the United States if you are unwilling to fight for the flag of your country when opportunity offers? Do you imagine that the people of the Uuited States will believe that you are really patriotic when nearly every prominent man in the Nation is tendering his services to the government, and you nre distinguishing yourself by remaining silent. Come, William Jennings Bryan, say something, or do something to make good your boast of patriotism—that patriotism which you have pitted against that of the brave and noble Wallace, who has given up the cherished ambition of his life to offer his services to his country ns a soldier. Charles M. Travis. Crawfordsville, Ind., April 25.