The times., 1899-07-24
Rryan's sensible Advice.

Mr. Bryan has disappointed the unrea-
soning extremists and pleased the thor
oughly sane element of Democrats by his
endorsement of the Goebel ticket in Ken
tueky.
He forcibly argues against the proserip-
tive spirit which animates the party op-
position to Goebel. 1T is not valid OBJ
lection to MIR. Goebel that he is supported
by some who opposed the ticket in 1896. 50
sententiously declares Mr. Bryan. We
desire that all gold Democrats shall return
provided they accept the Democratic plat
form and support candidates pledged TO
that platform. We desire to have all gold
newspapers return to the party if we can
secure their return without surrende-ing
party principles. 1t is not the policy OF
the party. 10 drive people away from it. bat
rather to invite people into the party
aIr. Bryan could not have given express
sion to more timely utterances than these.
II is hoped that they will effcctualIy curb
the rampant spirit Of prescription which
would narrow Democratic opportunity 20
the bshests Of revenge that takes no ac-
count Of the practical need Of the times
Undoubtedly there are many thousands CT
old line Democrats who deserted the party
standard in 1886 because OF the confusion
OF issues who are ROW eager to return II
clly they are reasonably assured OF a
greeting CT welcome. Mr. Bryan. like
ether sensible Democrats. realizes that it
was these who defeated him three years
ago and not the growth Of Republican SEN
timent He wants TO do nothing now that
would shut the door of the party house
hold 10 these wanderers when they return
and seek admission. He does not propose
TO turn the establishment over 10 them.
Nor is there any indication in their be-
tavioT TO justify the apparent dread in
some quarters that they will demand sur
render OF party leadership or principles as
a condition precedent to their return. More
than that, there is not the faintest like
lihood Of any concession being made TO
them through a feeling of fear or desire
to bribe. The party is headed too straight
on its course to vary a hairs breadth on
the issues Of 1896. The Chicago platform
is going to be repeated without one splin-
ter being ripped from it by the next na-
tional convention. The only danger to
party success turks behind the movement
TO steer Democracy from the course
mapped out for it by Jefferson, Jack
son, and Polk. whose courage and
foresight expanded the nation from the
cramped confines of the Eastern sea
board TO continental dimensions.
Now that Mr.. Bryan has spoken out
ought to be reclaimed this year if too many
Bluegrass Democrats DO not attach too much
Importance to the anti Democratic plank
in the Goebel platform against expansion.
II they view the possible success Of GoebeI
Is indicating the certainty OF delegation
to the next national convention that would
demand the cowardly surrender OF the
magnificent results of the Spanish war-a
conflict precipitated by the stubborn con-
tention Of Democrats enthused with the
genuine spirit of Democracy-they will
ignore Mr.. Bryan's earnest and sensible
advice and defeat the Louisville ticket.
But the probabilities are that they Will
not seriously entertain such considerations
as these. realizing that they will climb the
new hill when they get to it. which is TO
say that they viii be true to Democratic
traditions when the time comes to make
declarations of faith.
As intimated by Mr. Bryan. the only
proper matter Of consideration now is tina.
Democratic nominees subscribe to the Chi
cago platform. This the Goebelites in
Kentucky have done in no uncertain way.
The new and Democratic 5esuas ,.i,t,
which they have encountered their plat
form are not fit subjects for consideration
in campaign that is strictly local. These
questions belong TO the national conyen-
tion. 1t is there where We expect to see
them settled right And like the honest
and outspoken man that he is, it is this
tribunal TO which Mr.. Bryan refers them.