The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-07
FRIDAY. APRIL :. 1899.
WILL Mr.. BRYAN BE CERTAINLY
NANaIN- AII-In

1t Is not safe 20 predict with confidence
what the defeat OF Altgeld i'm Chicago
means. but n we mistake not the signs
of the times. II is a bad augury for Mr..
Bryan's chances Of being made the nom
incc OF the Democratic party in 1900 IL
il strong cumulative evidence that the
revout' onary clement OF the Democratic
party Is not so strong as Il has been
thought TO be- for If the revolutionary
element is unable 70 control the party in
Chicago. where can IL expect 20 prevail?
We think 70 probable that the political
machine Of the Southern States will give
Mr.. Bryan the vote of the solid South
In the next convention. lie will also have
the whole vote OF the Western States
tina. produce silver and hope TO sell it 20
the rest Of as at double it's value. But in
the East. in the central States like New
York. Pennsylvania and Ohio. and in
the nearer Western States. there is going
10 be a powerful minority I'm the conven-
ton that will be as much opposed TO see
ing Mr. Bryan the nominee upon the Chi
cage platform as they will be to seeing
the Republican candidate elected Presi-
dent. This minority was very strong in
the Chicago convention, reprNcnted as II
was then. 10y such men as Roosevelt =.
Flower. and many more just as eminent
whom we might name But its position
was then new 20 81. and II was tlmld
about taking positive measures 10 have
Its voice heard and its Will Obeyed IL
viii not be so in the next convention
-Four years OF discussion have only
strengthened II IN its hatred OF the princi-
pies announced by the Chicago platform.
and 1t will not sit quietly by and see
he revolutionary and reactionary mem
1ers OF the next convention ride over il
'ough shod as It did in the last one. 1t
viii speak and act this time, and its
speech and action will assume a power
10 make themselves effective
Nevertheless. II the Democratic conven-
lion. nominated by a majority vote. we
have no doubt Mr.. Bryan would run over
them and secure the nomination on the
first ballot But II is the time honored
custom OF Democratic conventions TO re
quire a two-thrds vote 20. nominate a
candidate. That this antireactionary and
antirevolutionary clement of the party
will constitute more than a third of the
convention. We have not Il doubt and
/: II does IL ail never consent % Mr.
Bryan's denomination. which will make
his nomination impossible. unless the two.
birds rule is abandoned
II is possible. indeed. that the men who
will be found al Mr. Bryan's back will
p ready even Tor this. Rcvolutionists
have never yet stood 10y forms. when
these forms interposed obstacles 10 their
cherished aims. With them. success I'm
Tic immediate object Is the great consid-
grafton. and respect FOR principles that
have grown hoary In reverence. Is totally
on, Of place and IS indeed unknown.
What Will follow If this is done? We are
pleased to say we believe nothing al all
different from what would have followed
IN the other case. IT will only be a case
II more So Mr. Bryan would be hope
.essiy defeated II ha were nominated
iuy and regularly. but II the revolution
NY element OF the party forces him upon
b. tactics Ike these. he will simply
Dc buried under d mountain OF ballots
hat Will cause him 10 disappear forever
more as a disturber Of the public peace