The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-09-17
COL. BRYAN'S STATUS.
the Faithful In the Free
Silver Ranks.


The three departments of the old
Bryanite party In Nebraska have held
their state conventions simultaneous
ly at Lincoln. The Bryanite demo-
Gratis, the silver republicans and the
populists met as separate organiza-
tions, but with a common purpose in
view, namely, fusion and the promo
ton of Organism as revised to date by
the colonel himself. There was har-
mony and cooperation, except wran-
gle over the apportionment of the
offices. At one time there was move
ment to reconcile differences by put
ting up Bryan himself for governor.
The final agreement resulted in the
nomination of populists for governor,
auditor, secretary of state, treasurer,
commissioner of public lands and
buildings, and perintendent of pub
lie instruction; silver republican for
acknowledgement and democrat
for encouragement. Although it APP
pears that the populist branch of Ne
braskI Organism came out rather the
best in the distribution, it probably
got no greater share than it's nu-
merical superiority and enthusiastic
energy warranted it in claiming.
While three separate sets of resolu-
lions were adonted by the three con-
ventions, they are practically identical
at all the principal points of interest.
They reaffirm the Chicago platform of
free coinage of silver at a ratio of six
teen to one, independent of the action
of any other nation; express pride and
Joy in the achievement of Col. Bryan
in peace and in war; condemn the issue
of war bonds as unnecessary and un-
wise; favor the referendum and the
election of senator's by direct vote of
the people; and declare hostility to
the acquisition by the republic of ter
ritory so remote as the Philippine is
lands.
This last addition to the creed of Ne
braska Organism was due to the special
and personal efforts of the colonel him
self. He probably cared more about
it than about any other resolution. al
ways excepting the resolution refer
ring to his military record. 1t was
announced before the conventions met,
and while the steering committee was
laboring for harmony, that although
the great leader was miles away from
Lincoln, heroically supporting his coun-
try's cause against Spain, he had left
behind him "as legacy to the tri-con-
vention" the Thought" that the Philip
| pines are too far away to be annexed
in whole or in part.
The colonel's legacy of thought was
accepted, but not without some trouble
on the part of the administrators of his
political wishes. Not only among the
populists. but also among the demo
Gratis, there developed sentiment in
favor of the very imperialism which
Bryan wanted the convention to con-
denim and denounce. The Lincoln cor.
respondent of the Chicago Tribune re-
| ports that "there was a considerable
element in favor of not referring 10
that subject. or. If 1t was made the sub
| iect of resolutions. TO favor the extern
sion of the republics territory to all
land that the flag covers as a result oil
the work of the army and navy. This
sentiment, however. was not strong
enough in the committee to change
the programme. Col. Bryan had sound
ed the keynote of hostility to the re-
tention of the Philippines or other re
mote territory. and in Difference to hi:
wishes the resolutions of each conven
ton on this line were drafted"
Thus it appears that Col. Bryan's
most jealous efforts in the present wal
are devoted to the restoration to SPAR
of the territory which Dewey and Mer
rift and the men under them are hold
ing for the flag. This enterprise may
be within the functions proper to ;
political colonel. but surely not to an,
other sort of colonel. 1t is safe to say
that not an officer in the service of tn,
United States. with the single excep
ton of Col. Bryan. is now engaged il
working conventions with view to EN-
barrassing his commander in chief.
! The alleged spirit of patriotic self
sacrifice which led Mr.. Bryan into tn,
military service of his country need
testing. Gen. Merritt needs reinforce
ments. Why not order the Third Ne
braska to Manila? -N. Y. Sun.