The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-03-18

"sUBsIDENCE OF BRyANIsMw

Under SAe above caption, and possibly
with the desperation OF drowning man
catching at straws. but certainly with the
wish as father to the thought, the Kansas
City Star INDUCES in the following edi-
torial flight of the imagination!
The popularity of William j. Bryan seems
TO be gradually subslding like reeeding
food. but so slowly as hardly to be per-
coptibie. Mr.. Bryan has maintained an as
tonshing hold on the peopla for more than
TWO years. There never was defeated can
dldato who was idolized by 50 mpny people
MS have given Bryan their full support aud
confidence since the election Of 1896 Amidst
The most disccnragng prospects for future
success. the millions OF men who voted tor
him In thu last presidential election have goue
on ihoutlng for him and ls cause and do-
clnrng their fun faith in him every time
they have held political convention or any
sort of an organi1ed assemblngr.
Recently, however, such declarations have
been more or less nerfunctory In character.
Indifference to Bryan and his cause has been
stealing into the hearts Of his followers, evon
while their lips were uttering expressions OF
undyipg love for him Democrats are be-
ginning to tall of other leaders. They havs
como TO the point Of coat ssng that free
silver may not be the chief issue In tho next
campaign. The people are not So anxious as
they were TO nee and 20 hear Bryan, ~
slow degrees he Is losing his hold on IN
masses OF voters who supported him with
such remarkable zeal In 1896.
TO reach SUCH conclusions as these n
newspaper is compelled TO shut its eyes
aud ears and reason to the most patent
facts It is necessary to discredit its own
news columns, If II be q paper with a re-
spectacle Geographic news service. It
compels The editor to deliberately pervert
tho truth and resort, FOR political ends, to
tho most haseless Misrepresentation.
It would be pertinent TO demand of the
Kansas city star that it point out in
stances of the subsistence of Organism
rather than draw upon its fancy for gilt
tering geueraities OF xtatemcnt It is
difficult to see where the Star would begin
In such task. outside the recognized
| goldhug strongholds. Certainly no point
/ could be cited which has been visited by
MIR. Bryan within the past six months.
Tho same Immense audiences that greeted
/ him Immediately after the presidential
/ election; the same unbounded applause;
/ the same extravagant evidences of adj
| mlraticn. and the same enthusiastic In
dorsement OF his enunciation OF the po-
| liileal faith that is within him, greet Will
lam j. Bryan at his every appearances
upon the platform now that were wit
! messed two years ago, II such demon
stratious are an evidence OF the "subs-
dence of Bryanism." then the popula,
thinking apparatus must be starhingy
out of gear.
Democrats are beginning to talk oil
other leaders,. says the Star What
democrats? Certainly not the 6,SooOOC
who supported Mr.. Bryan in 1895. Not Il
man has arisen In the democratic party
as possible rival of Mr.. Bryan for the
next presidential nomination. No man IN
America could today name candidate
who would have the ghost of show
against the democratic leader of 96 for the
nomination in 1900. The Star Is chal.
lenged to name even a possible rival.
II practically unanimous Endorsement
through State conventions so FAR as the,
have been held, or the action Of legisla
lures. or the outpourings OF the enthusl
astic masses OF the party to hear ant
honor the man. do not demonstrate tina
Organism still has its old hold upol
, democracy, then is II impossible to gaug,
public opinion in any case. The sta
should not mistake the frothy mouthing
81 few New York or Eastern goldbugs
who are merely masquerading in demo
cratic attire as the voice of democracy.