The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-24
The Campaign Of 1900.

As soon as the returns OF the election Of
1890 came in, with the vast number OF
6,5o2, 925 votes polled for BRYAN, 1t was
manifest that though defeated then he had
only to live to be renominated by the
Democratic party in 1900 and that the
Issue represented by him In that election
would again be fought out.
II was not merely because BRYAN had
received about one million more votes than
were cast for GROVER CLEVELAND at his
election four years before that his renom-
ination was inevitable il he lived until the
Democratic National Convention in 1900.
but because also he represented and
embodied a spirit which had taken pos
session Of the Democracy to the exclusion
OF any other. He had been their leader In
the hottest and flercest campaign OF their
history and had carried them to more
radical positions than had ever been fought
for by great American party. The
Democracy had been inspired to the greater
devotion to him and the policies he repre-
scented because Of the very bitterness Of the
campaign against them. To borrow a
phrase coined for CLEVELAND, he Is loved
because OF the enemies he made.
The aggregate vote for MCKINLEY and
BRYAN in 1896 was 13.eo7, 7o4, or 2,S74,-
5 CTS more than the aggregate for CLEvE-
LAND and HARRISON in 1892. This great
increase in the number Of votes polled ut
two successive quadrennial elections was
unexampled in American history. The
increase during the whole period from 1875
to 1892 was only 2,414, 191, or nearly
half a million less. The gain Of BRYAN
over CLEVELAND in 1892 was explained by
the circumstance that the Populist vote,
which was over a million in 1892. went to
him; 1t nearly accounted for the difference.
But the increase In the Republican vote
since 1892 was the most remarkable Incl
dent. MoKNLhT receiving 7,1o4,779 to
HARR1soN's 5.17e.1os, or nearly two
million more.
That ia. the election Of 1895 was the most
remarkable in our history; 1t brought out
the greatest vote proportionally, and
therefore was the election in which the
interest Of the people was shown the most
profoundly. 1t can never be forgotten; 1t
left both Of the contending parties In new
shape. The Republicans became specif-
cally the champion Of the single gold
standard and the Democratic party OF
silver free coinage. 1t was too bitter q
contest to Be ended by q single election.
The spirit which expressed itself in the
Chicago platform was too radical and the
Bryan campaign kindled by 1t was too hot
for 1t to be subdued by single defeat
Free silver was for the first time the battle
cry of the forces Of radicalism, bent ON ex-
periments which involved The very reor-
ganization Of society and the destruction
Of property, The platform adopted by the
Massachusetts, Democrats on Thursday had
reason to pronounce the Chicago platform
. political code written not for one year.
but for all time" 1t was distinctively q
new and radical departure.
The denomination Of BRYAN and the
renewal Of the contest are consequently
inevitable, and the indications now are that
he will be nominated by reclamation at the
Democratic National Convention next year,
and that there will be no opposition to him
which will dare express itself, however
feebly. The platform he will stand on will
be the Chicago platform, with added
planks which will be more rather than
less radical than 1t was originally made,
and the subsequent campaign will re-
peat that Of 1895 In intensity of feeling
and interest. It IL a revolution that
BRYAN leads. and In 1900 he win carry the
population Of national obligations and his |
assault Of 1895 on the financial credit of the
Nation to the further reputation OF the
moral obligations and the honorable name
and prestige Of his country imposed and
won by successful war. It win be shame
full canvass against American integrity and
patriotism; but 1t will OCCUR
That 10 what is before us next year and
wisdom dictates that every man should look
calmly at the prospect and prepare to be-
counted for or against the reputation
with which the Democratic party is now
inseparably associated.