The herald., 1898-01-08
SATURDAY, JANUARY 8. 1898,
SIGNIFICANT ADMISSIONS

prominence to an argument devoted to
the task of illustrating how easy it will
be for Mr. Bryan to become president in
1900 If he will but renounce the heresy
of the people against the trust and
monopoly creatures of Republican legis-
lation. 1t frankly confesses-and the
confession Is worthy to be treasured for
future use-that Mr.. Bryan, perhaps
better than any other Democrat is fitted
to lead in the new revolt against Repub-
lican faithlessness and failure. 1t con-
cedes that his hold upon the Demo-
cratic party throughout the nation is
greater than ever; that the Democrats
who elected Mckinley on the issue of
national honor and sound money" have
been afforded no reason for satisfaction
with their choice of evils; that the So
called National Democratic movement
is ended. and that Republican stupidity
is again solidifying the Democracy.
Thus far will we all agree with our
esteemed contemporary. 1t has simply
stated self-evident truths in a more than
usually solemn and impressive manner.
But there is no news in any of the sew
eral propositions. We are relying upon
them to insure the election of Mr.. Bryan
in 1900. We are counting upon united
Democratic party, supplemented by the
strength of the Independent Republic
ans. rendered greater by far than it was
In 1896 by the failure of international
bimetallism, and as well upon the solid
support of the Populist organization
throughout the country. And We are
counting upon a divided and distracted
Republican party, with its vitality
weakened and its cohesiveness Destroy
ed by the long and rancorous dissensions
between its diverse factions-a party
so manifestly on the decline that it will
at last be unable to appeal effectually
for succor to the powerful elements that
have supplied its sustenance for the past
quarter of a century.
Why, under the circumstances, should
Mr.. Bryan renounce silver? 1t is the
progress of popular education upon
financial problems that has produced
the fortunate conditions above men
toned. To this popular education Mr..
Bryan has contributed more than any
other person. 1t is his personality and
l.; nd, Of Ind toll
lism that have popularized the doctrine
and crystallized public sentiment and
reconciled his party to it. As we'll might
Napoleon have lowered the tri-color at
the foot of the Pyramids, as we'll might
Grant have furled Old Glory at APP
pomatox, as well might Edhem Pasha
have abandoned the crescent in the
mountain passes leading down into
Greece and glory, as for Mr.. Bryan to
abate one jot or title of his allegiance
to and faith in the free and unrestricted
coinage of gold and silver by this coun-
try without waiting for the consent of
any other nation" Should he do it-and
the World speaks of the feat as it
would of a clown changing his costume
he would no longer be the idol of ten
millions of people in this country, pre-
pairing ways for leading his people out
of the wilderness, but would speedily be-
come as universally despised as he is
now honored. Western men of the Bryan
stamp, as the World will sometime dis
cover, do not wear their hearts upon
their sleeves, and none of them will
ever sell their birthright for a mess
Of pottage. Mr.. Bryan will be elected
in 1900 upon the most pronounced and
snequivocal silver platform ever pro-