Has Hopes for the Democracy

After losing the presidential election, William J. Bryan speaks in San Antonio on behalf of the Democratic Party and discusses whether or not he will run for office again.

San Antonio, Tex., Nov. 18 - “My friends do not require me to prejudice the future, and I shall not take the advice of my opponents on this subject. I shall continue to write and speak in defense of things which I believe to be good for the American people. I hope it may never become necessary to run for office again, but I will not attempt to decide that question until the time come to act. I do not see any necessity to say more on the subject.” In answer to the direct question, “Will you run for the presidency again if conditions arise to warrant it?” William J. Bryan dictated the foregoing statement. Regarding the future of the Democratic party, he said: “I am not at all discouraged as to the future of the Democratic party. There must be a democratic party in every country, and I want our party to be democratic; and I have no doubt that the country will see the necessity for the adoption of the reforms advocated by the Democratic party. It is already a great educational force, and I have no doubt that conditions will go indicate the party as to make the voters turn to it as the best instrument for the accomplishment of the necessary reforms. “Will you allow yourself to be elected United States senator from Nebraska?” he was asked. “Nebraska does not elect a senator this year,” he said with a smile. “But if it does two years from now,” he was reminded. “You have my statement regarding my future so far as I care to say,” and he refused to discuss the subject further. Mr. and Mrs. Bryan are enroute to Mexico.

“Has Hopes for the Democracy,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed December 7, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/751.