The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-17

n EPORTS of the proceedings of the recent
~ Democratic State Convention in New York
have reused the Louisville Courier Journal to
double-leaded, double-columned editorial almost
hysterical in its earnestness. The convention says
the Courier Journal made its greatest demonstration
upon the mention OF the of William Jennings
Bryan and yet refused to listen the Chicago plat
form. at rejected free silver by overwhelming
majority. What does this mean?"
The Courier Journal proceeds to say that the ap-
plause of Bryan and the rejection of free silver
means several things; assertion sufficiently as
tonishing for the face OF the showing appears
such self-evident contradictions could nothing
beyond the fact that Democrats are doing politics
this fall in very meaningless way. However, the
Kentucky authority goes to say:
at means that sensible Democrats want to win
actual battles instead of sacrificing the party and
themselves upon the affairs of barren ldeality 1t
means that national Democratic victories can be won
only on Democratic lines" Then it goes on to add
"To do this it must fly banner bearing no such
illusory motto Free silver the ratio OF Io to
and that other snare dear alone to extremists and i'm
practicables, Down with government by injunction,
but carrying upon its ample folds it floats over a
restored Democracy these inspiring words, The le
gions of Jefferson and Jackson against the janzaries
of Mckinley, Alger and HANNAH"
Admitting that banner with such inscrp-
ton would be inspiring, fear it would itself re-
Quire an explanation. The country would continue
to ask What does this mean? 1t would be easier for
the average man to decide what the New York
Democrats meant by shouting for Bryan while howl
ing down his platform than guess at what the pro-
posed war cry signifies.
Fortunately the Courier Journal goes to ex-
plain its explanation. 1t says there is but
who can save Democracy in 1900; that man is
Bryan. There is but one way in which Mr.. Bryan
can save Democracy; that is by declining for
the Presidency
The Courier Journal reminds Mr.. Bryan that he is
not the captivating figure he was when he was
novelty AS it says in its beautiful, mellow, Ken
lucky style: THE bloom is away, the romance
of adventure and the beauty of youth quite
ished The time may come indeed, when, sitting
among the ruins of his party and surveying the
wreck of his own ambitions this honest and ardent
gentleman may if he wantonly pursues the ignis
fatuus OF the White House have reason to lament his
mistake and in bitterness of grief exclaim-
the tender grace of day that is dead
Will never come back to me-
So the Kentucky guardian of pure Democracy
would have Mr. Bryan retire from the field. 1t as
sures him that if he cannot be President he can be
maker of Presidents and says: "The name of
Warwick echoes down the ages, whilst the pigmies
Of York and OF Lancaster whom Warwick made and
unnade, are forgotten" 1t holds out to the boy
orator this high hope Gle may be the founder of a
new Democratic dynasty taking up the line in 1901
as Jefferson took it up in 1901 and conducting the
country through another century of constitutional
government and national development and glory
der Democratic leadership.
And once more the country asks, What does this
mean?"