New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-29
THE 4NTEBRTAN COLLAPSE

The hopelesSness Of any serious or concert
cd effort TO defeat the denomination Of Colonel
William J. Bryan must by this time have i'm.
pressed itself on even the most hostile and
reluctant Eastern Democrats. Even before the
collapse IN this state Of the ridiculous Van
Wyck boom the imposslbllity Of organizing
genuine opposition to Colonel Bryan's candi-
dscy. either IN the South or in the East, had
become painfully apparent But Mr. Cookers
abrupt dispersal Of tho saneu.ne Eastern and
Southern politicians who had gathered to do
a little President making Of their own on the
Saratoga piazZas revealed c0ncusivelv the
emptiness Of the antBryan agitation. and freed
the Nebraska leader from any apprchcnsions
he may have entertained Of an unfriondly East
ern.Soutlern alliance. Since then his canvass
for delegates in States which had until recently
figured IN his calculations as "the enemy's coun-
try has been pushed with both vigor and con
ndence and ~ Is apparent enough that the
show of sectional opposition which certain
Eastern Democratic managers have counted on
making against him IN the National Convon-
ton next year has already been robbed of AL
political effectiveness
Delaware is the latest Eastern State whose
vote seems lost 10 the promoters of the anti
Bryan movement The Nebraska orator has
planned 10 make a visit 10 Wilmington next
month, and 10 deliver speeches there and in
three or four Of the smaller towns of the State
This speaking tour will offer the needed oppor-
tuniues for reaching that understanding with
tho local party managers which will insure a
Bryan delegation 10 the National Convention
IN 1900 According 10 trustworthy repOrts
from Delaware. the absorbing rivalry within
the Democratic party at present IS solely for
precedence in the goodwill and favor Of the
prospective Presidential candidate and whether
Colonel Bryan makes terms with United States
Senator Kenny or eX-ReprcSentative Handy. the
leaders Of the respective factions IN the free
silver camp he viii be assured Of the States
hearty support next year for the Presidential
nomination. Mr.. Handy. as the more radical
of the two ranking silver Democratic poll
tcians, seems TO have Il firmer grin on the
organization, and It is not unlikely that Colonel
Bryan's interests will be Entrusted TO his pro-
lection IN the next State convention Dela.
ware was one Of the Eastern States in which
the Democracy went furthest IN recanting IFS
sound money opinions in 1896. and so complete
apparently. is the decentralization Of the State
organization. which once boosted the leadership
"l iHOiHds r baShIu anu "cOASe gray 'ha'
il IS counted on 10 indOrse next spring without
a murmur the EXTREMIST theOres-not only Of
unsound domestic finance. but Of a hating rolt
and pcttlfogging Americanism in foreign pol
icy-whch Mr. Bryan's candidacy for the Pres
idcncy will represent
In transferring their support openly to Bryan
the Democrats Of Delaware will, however only
10 following the natural and logical trend Of
events The Nebraska leader. so long rs tht
party retains the principles which ii now pro
fesses, Is its inevitable candidate Glmmer
ings Of this truth are bound 10 reach the East
err Democratic leaders who still cling 10 III,
hope Of replacing Bryan with bloodless and
colorless compromise nominee for the Presi