The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-15
CROKER ON BRYAN.

an imperianst and a pronounced anti
Brayn man. Nov he says that he was
mistaken about the philippine question,
that expansion is all wrong. that Bryan
IS an right and that no man is so popular
with the plain people as the orator from
Nebraska.
We do not know what sort Of q poll
teal game Croker is up to. when it
was reported some time ago that Aitgeld
had abandoned l6 TO l, We expressed our
fears OF Altgeld bearing gifts. The Bry-
an people may have the same fear Of
Richard Croker bearing gifts. Nobody
believes FOR one minute that Croker is
sincere in his professed friendship for
Bryan. Nobody believes that Croker has
honestly changed within a few months
from a Bryan opponent to Bryan adj
vocatc lie is mp 10 some sort Of a
political trick which win probably dis
close Itself later on.
But let us take Mr.. Croker at his word.
He speaks Of Mr.. Bryan's great popu-
larity. Let us look at the situation as
IT is
Outside the slave States there Is not
straightout Democratic governor in the
Union. Not counting the senators from
the same States the Democrats hold bat
three seats in the Senate of the United
States. Not counting the representative
3 1tf f- 1rn.fH
but nfty-dve seats in the House. To this
pass have the advocates of the free coin
age Of silver brought the Democratic
party. Beyond the borders of the South
the banners OF Democracy have gone
down in defeat in almost every general
election since 1892 No nominee of the
party has achieved a triumph which
might lift him into national prominence
No man Of commanding personality has
come % the front. No man with a
genius for leadership has stepped out OF
the muck Of mediocrity.
tt is for this reason that Colonel
Bryan's leadership is, stm unQuestionei
by the dominant faction OF this party
Let us imagine that Colonel Roosevelt had
been a Democrat and with his Cuban
laureis fresh and thick upon him had
carried his party to victory in the great
state Of New York. Does any reasonable
man believe that Colonel Bryan would
now De the only Democratic candidate?
or suppose Admiral Dewey instead OF
.f.fr
had been found am old-fashioned Demo
crat. firm in the faith of our fathers. am
bilious Of civic honors and an adept in
The arts of the politician. Is il possible
TO believe under such circumstances
Colonel Bryan would now be the only man
In the running?
Imagine that the great states OF The
North and West which have been lost
TO the party since it fen under the doml-
nation OF the silver leaders had returned
10 the Democratic fold. Suppose Massa-
chuseits had for her governor such a
man as Russell. New York such a man as
Cleveland or Hm, Pennsylvania such
man as Pattson, Ohio such a man as
Campbell, Indiana such man as Gray
Illinois such a man as Palmer. and Iowa
such a man as Boies. With such a con-
ditlon, the Democratic outlook would be
bright and hopeful. But would Colonel
Bryan's name be the only one mentioned
for the nomination?
Bryan's strength is due to the unbroken
series Of defeats which the Democrats
have suffered. lie has risen to leadership
upon the wreck Of his party's fortunes
and the disasters which have ovorwhelm-
cd It have left him. for the time, with
out a rival 1t is not unjust 10 say that
no man has done more than Mr.. Bryan
10 bring about the deplorable condition
of a great party. which seven years ago
seemed inyincible.
In the same way Colonel Bryan's only
hope of election to the presidency. IL he
shall be nominated next year, is depend
panic in this country or military
disaster IN the Philippines If our
flag shall float in triumph in the
orient II the land shall be blessed with
abundant harvests. II our working men
shall continue 10 find renumeratiye en-
ployment andN business shall continue ac-
tive and prosperous, Colonel Bryan's
chances OF election will DE small indeed.
That ne himself understands this Is evil
dent from his speeches. filled with mourn
ful foreD6dings and prophecies Of evil.
II his prophecies should by any mis-
chance be fulfilled. II the land should be
parched with drought or devastated by
foods, II crops should fail and a period
OF agricultural depression should follow,
new vlgor would be infused into the free
silver agitation. II a great financial
storm should sweep the country. leaving
ruin and desolation in It's wake and the
people should fall into panic fright. the
leaders of the free silver movement might
hope once more TO delude the tickle and
the thougaaess. If the industrial lie OF