Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-26
r,,r poprrrsTs, CONVENTION.

From beginning 20 ending the proceed
inrs OF the Populists' convention held at
81 louis we're unique. II was body
composed % many dlscordant elements
and the members we're pulled hither and
thither by various agencies. but from
frst TO last Mr.. Bryan was the popular
favorite.
not all that McKinley's Representatives
could do in the way % advancing per
Fuasive arguments: not all the shouting
and threasef .ngs Of the "niddls-of
road" men, could bulge the mass OF the
delegates from their devotion TO him.
ard yet curiously enough they expected
hin 10 DO q dishonorable thing when
they suggested that re should accept
domination On ticket which ignored his
running mate Mr.. sewall. Mr.. Bryan's
answer TO this proposition is what we
expected Of him. and the position that
he took was precisely right.
Even II the PoDulists' platform were all
that II ought 10 be- Air. Bryan could not
have done otherwise than be did in re-
.uslng to be divorced from his associate
sn the Democratic ticket.
As 70 other things pertaining TO the
Populists convention, there is much
aoubt and confusion. but II Is certain
that the great bulk Of the Populists wish
10 aid an ne election of Mr. Bryan. Be
tween Mckinley and Bryan, between
Bryan ana anybody else, they are for
Bryan by a large majority. This is an
important fact and II seems TO be about
The only thing that IS clearly settled by
the st. Louis convention.
The Republicans may sheer and Jeer
NJ these Populist voters a. much as they
please, but they would be only too glad
10 have their aid in the coming election.
They have combined with them fire.
uuenty in state elections, and Hanna's
agents were at 81. Louis ready to bar
gain with the dlsaffected element there
for help in November next.
Now, the question will arise. How is
the Populist strength 10 he made service
able 70 Mr.. Bryan? II the Populists have
st Of electors in each State different
from the Democrats. tho votes cast for
the Popullst electors will bs thrown
away: certainly they viii do our candi-
date no good. Knowing this. we should
think that ali Populists who really wish
Bryan elected would vote for thu Demo
cratic electors. We have heard Il sug-
gested that IN some States, where the
Populists are almost equal in numbers
with the Democrats. fusion tickets
might be greed upon. But Bryan could
no more consent 10 this than he could
consent 20 the st. Louis proposition
Possibly, however, Mr.. sewall himself
might mako tho way clear for such an
arrangement TO be made.
X VIII DO a good while yet before the
tanEle that the st. Louis convention
made will be unravelled and meanwhile
the Republicans will be found TO be very
actively at work IN creating new trouble:
and reNiving those which had place ir
Shs ST. Louis convention.
Nothing done at st. Louis Will weaker
MIR. Bryan with the Democratic masses
bat tie contrary. HIS course with reie
renee to Mr. seWall all must agree
vas most ccmmendable. In this HI
showed himself man OF honor and de-
cision OF character as well. In no wa.
that we can see has he sacrificed hi
soif-respect o. the confidence OF hi
cOuntgymen. All the votes at ST. Louii
showed that his candidacy was approved
by the majority Of delegates. and 1t l.
admitted even by the McKinleyites tina
~ the Democratic and Populist votes o
the West can be combined In Novem
Dor It VIII be impossible 10 defeat Bryan
OF election.