The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-01
4 Leader who Doesn't Lead.

Leader Who Doesn't Lead.
The feelings Of William ]. Bryan couldn' I
have been Of the most joyful kind when
he read the platform Of the Democratic
parry of Georgia, adopted by its state
| convention. which met in Atlanta on
"Wednesday. IL mat platform he is referr-
ed to as The leader OF the national Demo
crazy, but is told that he doesn't lead the
Democracy. To be placed in such a position
cannot be gratifying to Mr. Bryan.
What Is it that The platform says which
refers 70 Mr. Bryan? In one place Is
found the following: ''ro the brilliant lead
err of the Democratic party in the last ma
tional campaign William j. Bryan. we ex-
| tend assurances of our profound esteem
and undminished confidence" In an an
other place there is a declaration, as fol-
lows:
LAS to the incidental questions that will
arise as the result Of the war we believe
! that the people can safely be trusted 10
| dispose of every such question in man
| ner which win be in keeping with the spir-
it of our institutions and in harmony with
the principles and the record of the Dem
ocratic party.
This country should first address its I'M
divided attention and throw its full en-
crgy to securing decisive results In the
war with Spain rather than engage in po-
| liucal controversy over issues which are
yet unsh1ped, and which, in the nature of
| things cannot be intelligently discussed,
until the termination of the war enables
us to take definite inventory of It's as
sets, for the satisfactory disposal of which
our country must assume responsibility"
Here it is distinctly stated that issues
arising out Of the war are unshaped, and
cannot be intelliseuuy discussed untl the
termination Of the war makes it possible
to take a definite Inventory of its as
sets"
Every intelligent reader, however, knows
that MIR. Bryan has discussed publicly the
most important issues growing out of the
war, and has taken very decided stand
in regard to them. In his Omaha speech,
delivered recently, he condemned the pol
! Icy of territorial expansion and expressed
the opinion that 1t would be a sad day for
| this country if it should be decided to re
tain permanent possession of the Philip
pine Islands and other territory which we
mighttacqure from Spain.
Mr.. Bryan is now told by the Georgia
Democracy that the questions which he
| discussed so eloquently. and concerning
which he expressed such decided opinions
In his Omaha exposition address, cannot,
at this time, be discussed intelligenty.
That is a rather severe condemnation of
the course which Mr.. Bryan has seen fit
to pursue The Democratic party of Geor-
gia assures him that it has confidence in
him. and yet refuses to follow his lead, be-
cause. it doesn't believe that either lie or
anybody else is capable OF leading it wisely
at this time in respect to issues growing
out of the war.
Practically, Mr.. Bryan, while being call
ed the leader Of the Democracy and given
assurances of confidence, is notified that
his leadership is not recognized in matters
| cqncernng which the party has not spok-
cn-that he isn't the leader that he thought
be was. Tie aclion of the Democratic CON
vention of Pennsylvania which refused to
! endorse the Chicago platform and express
confidence in him must be more satisfac-
tory to Mr.. pry an than that of the Dem
! ocratic convention of this state because it
did not undertake to say that what he had
done in his Omaha speech could not be
done at this time mtelligently.
But there are Democrats VINO agree with
MIR. Bryan that the issues growing out of
the war with Spain can be discussed intel
| llgently at this time and they are discuss
ing them. In fact these issues are receiv-
ing more attention than anything else.