The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-31
BRYAN
The Boy Orator Unqualified and Unavaila-
bic for Democratic Leadership-Toler. q

LII my EAt OhluIAAIuCu n
bio for Democratic Leadership-TeIlor. n
From tie Detroit Evening Ne,5s.
Mr.. william J. Bryan IL still working with might
and main to UNFIT himself for future leadership of
any great party in this country. After his defeat for
the Presidency in 1895 he began to cheaper himself.
nrst by tho publication OF q silly and snobbish book.
and second by giving himself up to q silly lecture
bureau which proceeded 10 exploit him upon the
platform and on the blank walls Of the country as IL
he were . freak. Bome judicious friends pulled
him out of that acrape almost against his will, but
his innate incapacity to understand tho sense of
proportion led him into another ridiculous attitude
ss soon as the war broke out
His position before the country made IL alb
solutely unnecessary that he should have taken
any part In the war, except-as q public man.
q superb orator and . political leader-to give the
Government earnest and patriotic support in the
crisis which had como upon the country. and to
save his party from possible mistakes in its attitude
toward the war. The conduct Of Stephen A. Doug
las. on the breaking out of the war of the rebellion,
was before him as an eIemplar of political discretion
and sound patriotism. But this did not appear to be
sufficiently dramatic. sufficiently theatrical for Mr..
Bryan. He must do something to keep himself ut
the front Of the stage. He must figure as q soldier.
He must have . command, for which no was ALSO
lutely united by training and by nature. Under
circumstances somewhat ridiculous, . regiment Of
Nebraska volunteers was raised and he was APP
pOluteu u Solouci. ms Wero NOT enough, inc
regiment was composed exclusively of silver mon.
and openly designated az . silver regiment thus
giving o partisan color to service of the whole
country.
Nowt the war 10 over. . treaty of peace has been
made. and the only question before the Democratic
party is what attitude shall It take with reference to
the territory which has come into our possession as .
result Of spain's defeat. Upon it's position on that
question depend the chances Of the success of the
Democratic party in 1900, II. indeed. 1t have any
chances at all. A blunder here will be fatal, what
soever hopes II might derive from other questions.
And Mr.. Bryan comes forward promptly with tho
blunder.
Our armies are in possession of Porto Rico, Cuba
and the Philippines. A treaty has been signed with
Spain under which she relinquishes Cuba and cedes
the others to us. This treaty ia to be ratified by the
American Senate. About that there seems to be no
sort of doubt. Even Mr.. Bryan himself admits that
the treaty must be ratified. This being the case, il
would seem that the disposition OF the islands might
well be postponed until at least We had got our feet
firmly set down upon them and had time TO ascer-
tain some of the conditions that would throw light
upon the question OF the wiscst way to deal with
them. But no; that will not do for Mr.. Bryan. He
must settle the whole matter out of hand. Neither
he nor anybody else is in 4 position to-day to say
what can or what cannot be done with these islands.
but Mr.. Bryan breaks out. without any fact as q
foundation for 1t. with the assumption that it is the
intention OF the Government to hold these islands in
perpetual bondage and yassalage, and to impose
upon them. by force and against their will, n system
repugnant TO American ideas and American institu-
tions. and he insists as . counter proposal that we
should forthwith wash our hands OF the whole bust
ness and set up An Independent sovereign Govern
ment in Porto Rico and the Philippines ~ well as in
Cuba. There is no substantial body of public opinion
in this country favorable to Mr.. Bryan's proposal.
and there will not be in the future. The young,
warm blood OF the country revolts at It. 1t comes
with moro or less grace, perhaps. from the senile
mugwumpery of New England. which opposes ex-
tension of the boundaries to-day as 1t did the annex
alton of Louisiana. Texas, and California, almost to
the point of actual treason.
Mr.. Bryan IL clearly not up to the times. Contrast
his attitude with that Of that noble old American.
Teller OF Colorado. who was ono Of the FIRST to insist
on war. who was one of tho most earnest in support.
ing the Government in its conduct. and who now. at
its close. with q hopetulness and confidence IN the
star of the republic worthy Of Bryan'a youth, insists
that the Union shall secure all tho legitimate fruits
of q gallant victory.
Here ia a position. and here is . leader. with which
and whom tho Democracy. even il 1t cannot win in
1900. can at least avoid ninging itself into q hopeless
pool Of discredit before tho people.