The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-23
BRYAN ADRIPT.

SnorIly dIter the meeting or the dem
ocratic national committee in
Chicago The Spy remarked that
one Of the results was the
complete ascendency of Mr.. Bryan,
and another was an agreement to veil
the free silver issue wherever it seemed
unpopular, but to reaffirm it wherever
it was supposed to strengthen the par
ty. Subsequent events have empha-
sized the truth Of these observations.
In his Iowa speech, Mr.. Bryan asserted
that he was willing to accept the new
issues that were presented to him, i'm
plying that upon these the campaign
would be fought. This was intended for
consumption in the east. Since making
this speech, Mr.. Bryan has undertaken
to explain and modify it for the salts
faction of the west and south, where
there still remain sporadic symptoms of
the free silver madness. There he seeks
to give the. impression of denying any
intention Of sidetracking or subordin-
ating silver or any of the planks of the
Chicago platform.
Mr.. Bryan's personal supremacy has
been demonstrated by the right-about
face of Richard Croker, for as soon as
the Tammany chieftain returned from
England he eulogized the free silver
prophet extravagantly and designated
him as the only leader Of the democrat
cy. This result was not brought about
without reuo+ia fioy an5 e+ro torr,, -.
which o. H. P. Belmont was conspic-
uous agent, and John c. Sheehan, the
rebellious Tammany clansman, an I'M
conscious tool. 1t is not to be sup
posed that Mr.. Croker cares any more
for silver than he ever did, but he rec
ognizes the Bryan faction as the only
section of the democracy that exhibits
cohesive force and unity, and he has
been forehanded in conciliating the
leader. In return for this extraordinary
Endorsement, Mr.. Bryan consented to
make his Iowa speech, admitting the
validity Of the new issues, which Mr..
Croker demanded as essential if the
democracy is to have even a fighting
chance Of success. The bargain is as
transparent as daylight.
But what are these new is
sues? The trusts have been
named as one, yet it will be i'm
possible to draw party lines on that
question. Whatever evils arise from
the abuse of the cooperative principle
are decried by party leaders on both
sides, and it is absurd to look to the
democracy for legislation that accom-
plishes results. Anti-expansion or an
ti-imperialisin has been named as an
other issue, but what is meant by these
terms? No cry has been heard ringing
through the land, demanding the with
drawal of our soldiers from the Philip
pines and the abandonment of the is
lands. On the contrary, the general
sentiment is that the war must be pros
ecuted as vigorously and brought to an
end as speedily as possible.
Bryan and Croker would eagerly well
come anti-expansion, trusts or any
thing else out of which an issue could
be manufactured, but hitherto they
have not found the desired material.
There is but one plank in their plat
form, and that is Mckinley, and
any old thing will do for an issue. They
are forced to condemn the republican
administration, not because it deserves
condemnation, but because opposition
is their only possible move. Meanwhile
they are adrift, not knowing and little
caring where they are to land, if they
can but hit upon something that will
serve as a campaign cry.