New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-10
MR.. BRIAN'S LATEST,

Mr.. Bryans speech suggests rather TOO plain
ly for his purpose its own Interpretation. There
is nothing surprising or particularly suggestive
in his railing at everything Republican. nor In
his gross Misrepresentation Of the tariff, OF It's
effects thus far Of the Presidents position on
the currency question. or Of the elaborate plan
which Secretary Gage advocates Mr.. Bryan
would not be what he is If he were candid or
honorable in discussion nor would he capture
the sort of support he does 1t would be amaZ-
ing indeed if he did not dishonorably represent
the reduction of wages in a single branch OF
manufacture as evidence OF the change in wages
generally, ignoring the advances recently made
IN wages Of a vastly greater number Of persons
In many industries. These advances. IN most
cases made voluntarily. and in nearly all with
out any strife and by mutual agreement could
not be passed In utter silence by any man who
possessed Intellectual honesty or cared to have
ANYBODY suppose he possessed IT. But such
traits in Mr. Bryan require no Interpretation.
The suggestive feature about his speech Is its
betrayal of fear that the Democratic party Is
drifting away from him and from the silver
issue Perhaps he has not been as destitute OF
perception as he is of candor. Presumably he
has seen that advancing prosperity in the States
upon which lis party has 10 rely for It's chances
of success has altered the temper Of great multi
tudes Of voters toward him and the issue he
wishes 10 keep alive. 1t is not enough for his
purpose that Democratic organizations and plat
forms continue a perfunctory repetition OF the
free-coinage doctrine. If the party begins to
look for success again in great Eastern States
under the management Of men like Croker the
chances that Mr. Bryan will be selected as the
best candidate 10 win in such States too
mote for even his contemplation. If men Of
substance and means take the direction Of Dem
ocratic machinery, the demagogue from Ne
braska has apprehension that he will be quietly
dropped overheard with his pet issue, and some
body will find preference who does not put the
party in n hopeless position at the start.
Mr.. Bryan has not failed to observe what is
going Oh in Maryland, it may be presumed, and
probably knows how far Mr.. German is likely
10 prove a jealous supporter. The course OF
things in Ohio has cas-. some light particularly
the attitude OF ex-senator Brice and his friends
The aspect of things on the wheat growing
prairies does not lead to the belief that Bryan
and Altgeld are stronger there than they were
II IS not strange II to the mind Of Mr. Bryan
there appears a necessity for a loud-voiced and
passionate appeal, without further delay, 70 the
prejudices and feelings upon which he has re-
lied for strength, and especially 10 the free
silver and bank hating elements at the West
and to the prejudices Of labor against capital at
the East His address Is not at all an attempt
to convince people. II stoops TO appeals which
could only injure him with men ready to realize
their nature and untruth. But he reckons that
workers can be kindled against capital, and
against the more conservative elements in the
Democratic party. by treating the reduction Of
wages In cotton mills as the work OF "the money
power The same money power raised
wages at woollen mills in Massachusetts and
Rhode Island. at iron works in Pennsylvania Mt
coal mines and glass works and pottery works
N many States. But Mr. Bryan is addressing
himself TO men who do not want argument but
revolution. IL Is the old socialistic spirit which
he seeks to revive
Every day that passes is rendering such ap-
peals less potent, and yet within the Democratic