The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-11-05
WHO BRYAN'S FRIENDS ARE.
me Democratic Candidate Depends Up.
on the Worst Element in Society-

Sal'tIuhIe OeDPHuS D.
on the Worst Element in Society,
Who can Bryan confidently count upon
to support him at the November ballot
box!
lie can count upon the worst element
IN the Democratic party. the party to
which he falsely claims to belong. Al
most without exception the Democrats
who are backing Bryan are those who
appear to the best advantage on the
back seats. Consider how it is in this
state-the Bryan contingent has the rot
ten Tammany Hall as its mainstay.
Consider how it is throughout the Goun-
try-lt is not too much to assert that
nlne-tcnths of the Democrats of national
reputation. the men who have labored
longest and most effectively to conserve
the prosperity of the party are banded
together for the defeat of Bryan. 1t is
FOR the most part the ragtail and bobtail
of the organization. ward-heelers. spOils-
men. hidebound opponents of ~''regulari-
ty" and the like who have rallied around
the standard of the candidate who
stands upon the Infamous Chicago plat
form.
Who else can Bryan confidently count
upon, in addition to these sccond-rate
Democrats? He can count upon that
turbulent element which always exists
in a great country like ours which is
the inevitable foe of law and order.
There is not an anarchist. not a person
who takes kindly to mob rule and riot
in the United States who does not desire
to see Bryan elected. Not one. Here
is Il fact of tremendous significance.
What is popularity known as the danger
Gus class wants to see the Chicago nom
inee elected and it is easy to understand
why this should be so. The members VI
the dangerous class have heard about the
plank in the Chicago platform which de-
nounces Federal interference" 1t de-
lights them since it puts a premium upon
the lawlessncss in which their soul de-
lights. They are for Bryan because they
realize that during the progress of some
wcll-dcvcloped riot Federal Interference
would be sure to spoil their f~avorite
game of pillage.
Still another element in our popula-
ton which Bryan can count upon is
composed of the political cranks of the
country, persons who hold extraordinary
views on economic questions n the
functions of government. Populism is
but another name for whatever is most
absurd and mischievous in craftsmanship
and the POpulists have taken Bryan for
their leader while he has not hesitated
to accept their nomination.
Who else is on the Bryan roll? The
intelligence and patriotism of the coun-
try? No. The great army of wage
~earners? No. The savings-bank depos.
itors, the holders of life insurance poll.
cies, the members of building a~ssOcia-
tons. veterans of the war who draw
richly-earned pensions from the United
States? No. People who believe that
an honest financial policy is the best poll
cy? No. People who have respect
for the ~sanctity of contracts? No. Any
lawyer or layman who is opposed to turn
ing the Supreme court of the United
States into a football of partisanship?
No. Students of affairs who are I'M
willing that civil-service reform shall go
backwards? No.
Let candid voters ponder upon these
things. Let them consider the signiti-
canoe of the forces arrayed for and
against Bryan. A man is known by
the company he keeps. Bryan keeps
very bad company. His partisans do
not represent the sturdy common sense,
tho patriotic public spirit, the sober ludg'
mcnt of the American people. Those
great forces are fighting for Mckinley.
the advance agent of prosperity. Il WISE
eXpcrienced. conservative statesman.
Therefore Bryan cann0t escape defeat
Rochester Post and Express.