position in answer to a question from the Baltimore Evening Sun. The
Baltimore Convention is to be a convention of Progressives, of men who
are progressive in principle and by conviction. It must, if it is not
to be put in a wrong light before the country, express its convictions
in its organization and in its choice of the men who are to speak for
it. You are to be a member of the Convention and are entirely within
your rights in doing everything within your power to bring that result
about. No one will doubt where my sympathies lie and you will, I am
sure, find my friends in the Convention acting upon clear conviction
and always in the interest of the people's cause. I am happy in the
confidence that they need no suggestion from me.

(Signed) WOODROW WILSON.

This reply, more than any other single thing, changed the whole attitude
and temper of the Convention toward Woodrow Wilson. The progressive forces
in it were seeking leadership and Mr. Bryan, by his inquiry, had provided
an opportunity, of which. Mr. Wilson took full advantage.

An interesting incident occurred in connection with this affair. Being
unable to induce the Governor quickly to reply to Mr. Bryan, and realizing
that our friends at Baltimore would expect him to agree with Mr. Bryan,
and thus take his place with the progressive element in the Convention, I
was firmly convinced that he would at the end be found in agreement with
Mr. Bryan. I, therefore, took the liberty of saying to the newspaper men
in our group--those who were favourably disposed to us--that when Mr.
Wilson did reply to Mr. Bryan he would be found in harmony with the
Commoner's ideas. This unofficial tip was immediately conveyed to
Baltimore and our friends, after returning from the Convention, told me
how this piece of inspired information had put heart in our men, and that