Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-08-29
ABOUT DEMOCRATIC HARMONY.
The Tide Running Toward Mr.. Bryan.
ATLANTA Constitutional

The Tide Running Toward Mr. Bryan.
ATLANTA Constitution.
THE most casual observer hardly needs
to be told that circumstances and events
OF political character are tending to re-
store absolute harmony between demo-
Gratis who gave their adherence to the
Chicago platform and those who mag
med that the financial declarations were
OF too sharp and decisive character.
Every indication points to the fact that the
eastern and northeastern democrats who
until 1896 had acted with the party under
all contingencies are acquiring the frame
of mind which will enable them. in con-
sideration of newer issues that they may
consider of the most vital importance. to
approve of reaffirmation ofthe Chicago
platform.
1t is plain to observe that very great
change of opinion with respect to Mr..
Bryan has taken place in the intellectual
centers of the east. His extraordinary
ability, his eloquence, his prudence, his
conservatism, the moderation which he
brings to the discussion of men and meas
ures, the dignity with which he has met
detraction-all these have had very
powerful effect on thinking men.
The democratic journals which opposed
him in 1896 have come to feel that, apart
from his party views and as an American
he is a man to be rsckoned with. They
no longer regard him as fugitive figure
in our politics. They look abroad on the
country at large and they find that never
before in our history has man, by the
mere force OF his personality and the
gifts that appertain thereto. made 81 pow
ertul an impression on the minds OF the
people.
1t challenges attention and comp'ls So
ber-minded opponents of Mr.. Bryan to
ask themelves if, in their former estimates
OF his purpose, they have not misjudged
him; il they have not put forth predictions
not merely erroneous. but slanderous.
Anyhow, tits obvious to those who read
with any attention the democratic journals
which formerly opposed Mr.. Bryan with
such heat, that change OF tone has taken
place in their references to the democrat
ic leader. 1t may be said, in fine, news
paper discussion of Mr.. Bryan has taken
on a new hue and color, and that as corol-
larry as the declarations put forth appear,
in the light of recent events, neither ex-
treme nor radical. And, though the pro-
sramme OF the administration with respect
to the Philippine Islandsis notclearly de-
fined, enough is known of republican in
tentions to compel thoughtful persons to
ask themselves wheter they are not con-
fronted by contingencies, or at least pos
sibilities which make democratic harmo-
ny essential to the preservation of our
traditions as republic of the people, by
the people. and for the people.
And there is abundant evidence going
to show: that the gold democrats find
these considerations equally impressive.
Such being the case, it may safely be
predicted that the Chicago platform will
be reenacted by declaration reafhrming
if and that then the new platform viii go
on faithfully to embody American and
democratic ideas and views in dealing
with the issues which have Unexpectedly
arisen as the result of the war with Spain.
If Capt. Carter's counsel should de-