The San Francisco call., 1899-03-23
BELMONT HND BRYAN.

HE disposition of Mr.. Bryan to examine the
/ mouth OF gift horse in the shape OF an 1nvl-
tation to a banquet in honor OF Thomas JeHer-
son. has again thrown all the Democratic tat IN the
fire.
The man from the Platte has caused it to be under
stood that he is nasty nice about the platter he feeds
from, and the company that gathers around the same
The Democratic Club of New York. consisting OF
! three thousand members, OF them any specai
kind of Democrats but all just plain Democrats, de-
string to assure the shade of Jefferson that he is not
forgotten, engaged caterer and banquet board Tor
that purpose The table, however, is designed to be
something more than a temporary resting place for
solid food and liquids to wash it down. 1t IS to re-
semble baeship, in that it is platform from which
fire guns. These not to be used with snokeless
powder, though of the ingredients thereof to wit,
alcohol, will be in them. They to be the great
guns of oratory and they to in behalf OF the
campaign OF 1900. AS Mr.. Bryan is a rifle OF that
kind he invited to be present and get his tompion
out and timber UP and crack away at any craft IN
sight.
But he took the precauton to request OF Mr.. Bel
mont working plan and specifications OF the kind
kinds of Democracy to be present, and also to in
qure if Mr.. Belmont himself had experienced any
change of heart head since he godbugged in 1896
To this Mr.. Belmont replied in effect, in the Ian
guage OF the Kentuckian, that when one gentleman
invited another gentleman to partake OF spirits with
him the purpose was socability and not catechism
SO the banquet will be plus the spirit of Jefferson
and minus the flesh of Bryan The incident would
trivial except for its bearing future politics
Mr. Bryan is of the opinion that he is the finest
piece OF Presidential timber in the forest preserves OF
the Chicago platform Democracy, and does not pro-
pose to permit any comparison with the taller timber
which grows by itself on the god-Democratic reser-
vation. The well-intended overture of Mr.. Belmont,
intended to get the former members OF the party to-
gether and fill the split between them with victuas
and drink, has been rejected with scorn and con-
tempt which will rankle for many day.
Mr. Bryan is on his bright, shining way, holding
the ranks such doubtful Democratic States Ala
bama Mississippi Georgia and Tennessee, and feels
no need Of feeding and drinking to unite the small
godbug faction with the heavy Democratic maorities
in Maryland, Delaware New Jersey, New York and
Connecticut.
AS for campaign funds for 1000, the goldbugs are
not wanted on the list In the last conference at Chi
cago attended by Bryan, Coin Harvey, Altgeld,
Towne Dubois and Teller it settled that Coin
Harvey should go on collecting dime day, and
that the sum thus accumulated shall be reinforced by
the sale OF the Thomas Jefferson segar to be
factured in Chicago and handled by dealer who d-
tvides the profits with Mr.. Bryan's committee These
segars will not be smoked at Mr. Bemont's banquet,
but no I6 to I Democrat will suck any other The
profits are expected to be enormous, for all other
brands are to be boycotted.
1t is with diffdence that suggest enlargement
Of this fine idea. Where is the Jefferson brand OF
whisky and beer? Let it be brought out at once
and let the clay OF the Democracy be mostened
with other
More terrible than army with banners will be the
Bryan hosts of 1000 Filled with efersonian spirits
and putting the only Jeffersonian segar, they will
move like pillar OF cloud by day and pillar of fire
by night and when their march is ended the gold
bug will be as 1feless his congener and ancestor
the bronze scarabeus wrapped up in coal tar with the
mummes.