The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-02
II Bryan Were Elected.

The conclusion of the Washington
Post, an Independent paper with eX-
ceptional facilities for gaining accur-
ate inside Information, is that unless
there can be amicable fusion between
the Populists and the free silver Demo-
Gratis in all the doubtful states Bryan
has absolutely no chance to win. In
other words, unless the regular
Democracy is willing to permit itself
to be swallowed whole by the Peffers,
the Llewellyns. the Waites and the
Tom Watsons, it must give up all eX-
pectancy of victory. There is no doubt
that this is Il correct view of the situa-
ton. and it fully iustifies the with
drawal from the Bryan camp of all
Democrats who object to losing their
political identity in a maze Of heresies
which the Democracy as an organiza-
ton has hitherto opposed.
But upon what basis can fusion be
accomplished? What party to the
union will be willing to take the
shucks? Must the Democrats, who
outnumber the Populsts two or three
to one, surrender to the hybrid Popu-
lst!c ~ inority the promise of the
choice pickings of the fruits of vic
tory? And should Bryan by any pos
sibility succeed in his campaign for
the presidency, how could he subse-
quently hope to preserve harmony
among his uneven following and COM
mand as president such corporation
from congress as would be necessary to
the success of his plans? What voter
who really admires Bryan would wish
TO put him in the position of the man
in Lincoln's story who tried to ride two
horses at once and who was precipi-
tated bodily into the first mud-puddle
that caused a parting in his support?
The country during the past three
years has had a practical illustration of
the difficulties besetting a chief eXecu-
tiv" at odds with his fellow-partisans
in congress. The experience both Of
Mir. Cleveland and Of the people gener-
ally during this period of factional
warfare between the capitol and the
white house has certainly not been of
a nature to inspire a longing for
another term of the same costly sort
OF confusion. Would Mr.. Bryan be in
better shape as president than Mr.
Cleveland has been? Would he, in
deed, have as steadfast following in
any quarter as Mr.. Cleveland has had
in ithe business element which has
stold by him through good fortune and
though i'll? Could he look to any ele-
ttfent for loyal support the moment the
factor of patronage entered into the
problem? Would not all elements soon
be arrayed in an enthusiastic warfare
upon him?
We do not concede that Mr.. Bryan
has more than a remote possibility Of
election. We doubt, indeed. if he has
even that chance. But assuming for
arguments sake that it Is yet possible
Tor affairs to take a turn which would
bring his election within range of the
probabilities, could any believer in free
coinage expect to secure from Bryan's
election fair test Of that economic
theory? In their impetuosity to slash
at the gold bugaboo, we suspect that
good many silverites have not given
due consideration to these disquieting
factors in the situation. We will 20
further and say that as a matter of ex-
pediency alone, without reference to
the merits of the controversy, the best
test Of friendship for Bryan on the
part of those who concur in his opin
ions would be to vote against him.