The times., 1899-07-08
The Meeting nt Chicago.

Developments will probably soon snow
that entirely too much hysteria is now be-
ing manifested in some quarters over the
forthcoming meeting of the Democratic
National Committee at Chicago.
We are not the custodian of the commit
tees secrets, II it have any. We are will
ing TO accept at face value assurances from
members who particularly interested them
selves in having the meeting called that
its sole purpose is TO discuss plans for bet
ter party organization and to agree, If
possible upon sorIe basis of systematized
party work TO be Immediately inaugu-
rated. The committee is strictly an exec
utive body, and We do not believe there is
the least disposition upon the part of its
dominant element TO exceed Its clearly
defined functions. There may be, and
doubtless are, rival ambitions within the
committee for this or that party policy,
but these rivalries are not ar all likely to
assert themselves at Chicago on the goth
in a way that will bring confusion or dis
cord to the party. The committee has no
authority to enunciate party platform or
to tinker the platform upon which the
Democracy now stands. Its members as
individuals have the right to express what
ever views they may entertain upon any
question whatsoever, ranging from the
cause of feuds in the mountains of Ken
lucky TO the attitude the United States
should assume in the threatened war be-
tween England and the Beers in the Trans
yaal. But they cannot prescribe views so
expressed as Democratic doctrine. and
there is no likelihood that any effort of
this kind will be made.
We believe, also, that the report that
Mr.. Stone of Missouri and Mr. Campau of
Michigan are in dark conspiracy to undo
Mr.. Bryan is wild and utterly without
foundation. In the first place. how could
these gentlemen, II they felt SO disposed,
retire Mr. Bryan" by any action they
might induce the committee TO take? In
the second place. from what is Mr.. Bryan
to be retired" The committee has no
official authority over Mr.. Bryan. He is
not now the party nominee for anything
Indeed. he has served warning on the party
that he will not accept nomination from
II unless the platform exactly expresses
his views upon public questions. But the
committee cannot even take official cogni-
zance of this conduct on the part of Mr..
Bryan. In short, the committee can do
none of the things that hysterical minds
are predicting 1t Will do. The only effect
of this sensation mongering will be to dis
courage the committee from trying 10 do
anything when IL meets.
II left alone-if the hysteria now infec-
tious In the party in the East does not
seize the committee-it will set on foot q
movement at Chicago for the good OF the
entire party. 1t Will take stock, SO to
speak, and find what material is at hand
TO work on. II will strive earnestly to de-
wise practical plan to arouse the fighting
spirit of the Democracy before the battle
comes on In 1900. There is certainly moth
ing In that intent to be criticised or to
throw any Democrat into convulsions. The
effort ought TO be welcomed all along the
line from Maine to Texas. The lack of
organized and systematized work has cost
the party too many defeats for that to be
balked at now. when all of the reform
forces Of the nation are looking to the
Democracy TO lead the fight against or
ganized greed and entrenched corruption in
1900
The Times would like to encourage the
national committee in its commendable and
practicable undertaking We can see no
cause for suspicion of its good intention or
OF its ability TO make success OF its
enterprise. We know that the Republicans
are better organized at present than at
any time in the history of the party. Their
organization is compact, alert. and re-
sourceful. The Democracy cannot afford
to enter the campaign next year with an
uninformed. undisciplined, and demoral-
lied following. Six and a half million
votes were polled by the party in 1896. To
| reach this constituency and infuse into its
leadership the necessary proselyting spirit