Middletown transcript., 1898-01-29
a sHArrERRD { IpoL. /, d

q A significant attack upon what Is
characterized as .Bryanismn In Dem.
ocratic politics emanatesfrom aquarter
which cannot be suspected of hostility
to the Democratic party even as at
present constituted. The author is
Mr.. Arthur McEwen, who in 1896 sup
ported Mr.. Bryan for the presidency in
the columns of the "New York Jour-
nal,'' and who is now, through the
same newspaper. undertaking to DEM
onstrate that Mr.. Bryan is man of
one idea, too narrow to be the ideal
candidate of the "new Democracy
Mr.. McEwen protests against test of
Democracy which rests upon the coin
ege of silver at 16 to 1, which, he says,
is not principle, but policy, that
may with safety and honor be left for
determination until other and more
important issues have been settled. II
Mr.. Bryan were as great as his oppor-
tunity, asserts this critic In the Bryan
camp, he would seek in these years
between campaigns "not to narrow the
issue, but to broaden it; to challenge
the pillsgers and oppressors of the peo-
pie wherever they have erected a for
tress Of privileges. ITO insist upon
the ratio of 16 to ! as if it were an
eleventh commandment" says Mr..
McEweu, sis not only indefensible on
rational grounds when the principles of
Democracy are being stated, but it
repels men who are so constituted that
they like to keep company with in
tellectual adults"
Mr.. McEwen declares that the
whole East is hostile to Democracy
which limits itself to the 16 to theory.
"Right or wrong" he adds, "the ma
jority of citizens here. most of them
quite as honest as any farmer 10 Ne
braska or Kansas, look upon the finan-
cial phase of Organism as dangerous
fad, although in spirit they are Demo=
cratic and would like to vote with the
party" While recognizing the en-
thusiasm of the West and South for
free silver coinage. Mr.. McEWen is of
the opinion that the voters of those
sections do not possess an intimate
acquaintance with the arguments for
the other side, and intimates that they
display obstinacy in standing by their
position in spite of defeat. 'schristen-
ing a mulish stubborness with fine
names that minister to pride"
Everything, in Mr.. McEwen's opin-
ion, now points TO the denomination of
Mr.. Bryan in 1900. ut is the knowi-
edge of that" he declares, (which
causes Democrats of my kind to deplore
that, as he comes to be better known,
to be subject to critical examination
when men are not excited by politi-
cal canvass, he grows smaller rather
than bigger, and instead of being a
man of lofty and simple and utterly
sincere mind, appears to be revealing
himself merely as superior specimen
of the smart lawyer-politician of the
middle West, class with which those
who know Congress are familiar.
" It is the disproportion be-
tween the actual Bryan with his fixed
idea, his petty 16 to l, his political cali
culations, and the cause which he could
represent were he framed on lines as
large as that cause needs for true ex-
preston in leadership which grieves
and disappoints."
The idol is shattered at last, and Mr..
Bryan's devoted champions and fol-
lowers in the East are no longer proud
of their allegiance. On the contrary,
it may be reasonably inferred that most
of them would welcome his retirement
from the field and the substitution of
another candidate. Mr.. MeEwen, in
an article of three columns
displayed in the leading |
Bryan newspaper Of the East, gives
warning of the defections that may be |
expected. 'sIf Bryanism is TO mean
only 16 to I and no compromise, though
the political heavens fall, the Demo
clals Of the republic who have mems
brains in their heads and men g
in their hearts will be fore
ed to leave party that has contracted |
itself into sect in order to find breath
ing space and elbow room, or else to |
search for leaders Of guage sufficient
ly broad to unde rstand what Democracy
really MEANS" This, as heretofore ex-
planned, is not the dictum Of 'sgold |
bug" or "minion of Wall street, - but |
it Is the declaration Of Democrat |
who helped to fight Mr.. Bryan's battles
in 1896. Mr.. McEwen may also be ac-
cepted as fair representative of those |
Eastern Democrats who, despite their
objections to silver monometallism,
clung to their party from sheer habit, |
and, perhaps, from sentiment as well. |
Evidently their number will be much |