Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-12-11
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN WORSE,
Statesman.

to speak of the "fatal mistake" of the
Chicago Convention in declaring for
free silver and nominating Bryan.
The truth is that when the Chicago
Convention met the Democratic party
was absolutely hopeless and totally
demoralized. Hardly State in the
Union was safe for the Democracy.
In all the elections since 1892 the
party had been overwhelmingly de-
feated. For example in 1894 David B.
Hill nominated for Governor of New
York on platform indorsing Cleve-
lands administration, was beaten by
nearly 100000, and that popular DEM
ocrat James Campbell, of Ohio, candi-
date for Governor of Ohio was buried
under plurality of 10000 for Nc
Kinley.
Such was the condition of affairs
after three years of the gold standard
policy of Cleveland.
1t was in this deplorable condition
of the party that Bryan was nominat-
ed. In spite of the divided condition
of the party on the financial question
and the bitter and determined opposi-
ton of the Cleveland administration,
he came very near victory. He re-
ceived more electoral votes than Cleve-
land received in 'S4 or Harrison in '92.
A change of about 10000 votes in a
few States would have elected him.
Two-thirds of the whole area of the
country voted for him.
If the gold Democrats had controlled
the Chicago Convention and nominat-
ed one of their champions it is ex-
tremely doubtful whether they would
have carried a single State in the
Union. The Republicans would have
carried every State that they captured
against Bryan, and several others be-
sides. The Populists would have car
ried many States in the South and
West, and would have come out Sec
ond best.
In this connection we quote The
Dalles Chronicle, Republican paper.
The Portland Telegram, while usually
fair, has disclosed rabid streak that
becomes visible in every mention of
the name of w. J. Bryan. In speak
ing of him and the rumor that he was
to write q book on bimetalism, that
paper said: "He is the junior men,
ber of the enterprising fame building
firm of Mary Bryan and Husband"
The Telegram does not believe in Mr..
Bryan's views, neither do the Ameri-
can people, not by a million or more,
as the election has just shown. But
while differing from him in political
ideas, there is no reason why either
the press or the people should under
take to belittle the man. History
will deal kindly with him, and he will
always stand in the history of Ameri-
can politics as one of its most remark
ablo figures, When he was nominated
at Chicago he was what might be
called an unknown man. He was
nominated by party whose chances
were estimated at the time as simply
nothing. Its record on the tariff, the
hard times, the sale of bonds in time
of peace aud more than all, its advo-
cacy of the silver standard, were each
considered enough to beat it; and,
collectively to everlastingly annihilate
it. Bryan accepted the nomination,
he put himself at the head of dis
couraged and disheartened following.
Single handed he commenced the
fight; he put courage in hearts where
before was despair; from flying and
defeated mob he organized solid and
determined squadrons and in few
brief months led them into battle.
He was defeated, but he made gal
liant fight.
admit that his cause was wrong as
we may, we cannot but admire the
genius of the man. His speeches were
models, and though made at rate of
from ten to thirty a day he maGe no
mistakes. He made the fight SO hot
that he called forth every effort of his
opponents, and in spite of these and
of the immense popular majority
against him, he almost snatched VIC
tory from them.
at is no use to belittle Bryan. He
was a foeman worthy of our steel,
and a true American. He accepted