The record-union., 1897-07-12

But. seriously the conference bodies
no good to Mr.. Bryan's aspirations. II
is the first step in the programme OF
the genuine Populists to cut loose from
the entangling alliance made last year
with the BRYAN wing of the Democrat
ic party and to return to first princi-
pies. They have not forgotten the
false and humiliating position in which
they We're placed by being compelled to
disown their own Vice-Presidential
nominee and to support the sound
money candidate whose name the Bry-
antics with a reckless disregard of con-
sistency placed upon their ticket. The
breach between the fusion Populists
and the straight Populists promises to
be as wide and deep as that which sep
arates the sound money Democrats
from the free silver Democrats, and
Mr. Bryan will have to make more
than one tour of the country before he
can succeed in conciliating differences
the continuance of which must prove
fatal to his political ambition.
A PROPHECY.
Oakland Tribune: Bishop Potter
of New York evidently does not believe
in the Monroe doctrine. He voiced
Hawaiian annexation sentiments at the
dinner of the American colony in Lon
don on the Fourth, and prophesied that
in 500 years America will have colonies
as worldwide as those of John Bull.
WATSON AND BRYAN.
San Diego Union: 1t is certainly
unfortunate for Mr.. Bryan that just as
he is fully adrift on his tour of the
country, Thomas Watson of Georgia
should see fit to emerge from his re-
tirement and launch himself once more
in the field of politics. The Georgia
gentleman has q peculiar gift of utter
ing unpleasant personalities. In this
respect he is quite the peer of the fam
Gus Tillman Moreover, Mr.. Watson
has a grievance, and he has nursed it
with so much care since last NOVem-
Der that it has now assumed huge pro-
portions He thinks that he had shabby
treatment at the hands Of his profeSsed
friends during the last campaign, and
there is no doubt that he has good
cause TO complain. His appearance
just at this time is certainly not calcu-
lated to promote the boomlet which Mr..
Bryan is so industriously working up.
Fusion of all the silver forces is the
Nebraskan's dream, and Mr.. Watson S
abomination. The Georgian will do
his best to prevent the consolidation
that is now proposed, of Democrats,
Populists and Silver Republicans. Mr..
Watson may not succeed in his pur-
pose, but there is no question that be-
fore he again goes into retirement, he
will have made things very sultry for
certain gentlemen who used him as a
political football during the late Presi-
Dental campaign.
A PROFANATION OF THE DAY.
Los Angeles Times: If w. j.
Bryan had been brought to Los Ange-
les to deliver a patriotic Fourth-of-
July address, entirely disassociated from
politics, he would have been welcomed,
as a prominent citizen of the republic,
by all citizens, irrespective Of party
ties. Inasmuch as he was brought
here by a political faction on a mission
carefully designed to have a political
bearing, the welcome extended to him
was the noisy and nervous welcome of
political partisans, not the earnest well
come Of the people at learge. Those
who thronged to hear his speeches and
jostled each other through hours of
heat and dust for the poor privilege
of shaking hands with a defeated can
didate for the Presidency, were either
political sympathizers with his pecu-
liar views or curiosity-seekers. The