The San Francisco call., 1899-07-06
THMMANY AND BRYAN.
IITH its usual lack OF anything like genuine
\NI patriotism. Tammany prepared to turn the

IITH its usual lack OF anything like a genuine
lNI patriotism. Tammany prepared to turn the
Fourth OF July this year, as in many year
past 10 exploitation OF Democratic politics rather
than OF national independence and national aspira-
ton This time however, the experience of the occa-
sion is not pleasing the leaders 1t turned out to
be not a rally OF Democracy but rally OF the silver
faction and the Bryanites and those who were ready
set the nation aside for partisan purposes found
themselves set aside for factional purposes
The meeting was notable for the absence of dis
tingushed men, for Tammany is rich and powerful
and has far-reaChing influence and as rule her
festa days attended by the highest dgnitaries in
the Democratic ranks. Her sachems have been care
ful to invite them from every section of the Union
and from every division OF the party and in times
past the eminent leaders have been ready to ac
cept. This year, however, her invitations went
a-begging No Democrat OF national importance
was present. Neither Cleveland, nor Bryan, nor Hill
nor Oney, nor Altged, nor Carlisle nor any other
Of eninenCe was there, and fell to the lot OF
second or third rate to make the oratons of the
day from the Tammany platform.
At the last moment it was found that the orator
chosen to deliver the chief speech OF the occasion
could not attend so Ex-Governor Hogg OF Texas was
called upon fill the vacancy The Texan soon shook
himself free from considerations of the Fourth of Tuy
and from regard for the politics of his Tammany
hosts He launched out in wild uproar for free
silver and Bryan and was greeted with a responsive
roar It seems the conservative Democrats OF the city
had remained away like the leaders, and there was
nothing but a Bryane rabble in the hall Hogg,s
speech was an immense hit. We are told it was an
swered with cheer after cheer of enthusiastic ap-
plause
The incident is the significant because it is
well known the Tammany leaders have been for some
time past seeking to find means OF eliminating
the silver question and beating Bryan for the nomi-
nation in. 1000 1t has been believed moreover. that
progress has been made in effectng combination to
that end 1t now appears the Tammany organizers
have found difficulties in their way which the public
has not perceived Why should Hill and Murphy
have been absent from the celebration? Why did not
German or Olney take advantage OF the occasion to
furnish conservative Democracy with a new platform
and new programme?
1t seems evident the conservative wing OF the Dem
ocratc party hopelessy denoralized It plans and
plots and organizes but never succeeds in making
a successful demonstration OF strength in public The
famous ten-dolar banquet Jackson day was
failure. The Bryanites by holding a dollar dinner
drew the crowd, and, what more the point they
declared definite policy of action, while the Tam
many men showed themselves weak and undeter-
mined. The silver demonstration on the Fourth of
July completes the defeat OF the Tammany men
They have year in which to recover themselves and