The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-11-15
A Builder and n Wreckcr.
Charleston Post,

The elections Of last Tuesday have settled
| in the public mind whatever: OF doubt remain
ed concerning the likely rivals for the Presi.
dency In 1900. Unless death prevents WI.
opposing candidates next year. Almost as
certain Is 1t that William Mckinley will be
elected for q Second term as President To
the Democracy will enter In 1900 Into a desper-
ate and practically hopeless struggle.
The conditions which will be presented
next year are outlined BY Senator pepew OF OF
1900. as we had in 1896. Mckinley and Bryan
arrayed age inst each otner. Bryan was beat
en- In 1896 upon an issue OF 10 to !. That Issue
Next year Bryan will run upon general anti
platform with enough Of the free silver In 1t
to hold the old timers. Bryan can not bring
bis party to the pos, post, where cleveland Cleveland
brought his party boldly TO the front and
gave 1t Issues Of It's own. Today Bryan must
make his campaign upon platform that de-
clares against things that the people have Just
endorsed. In other words. Bryan will throw
| the Democratic party next year back 10 the
place 1t occupied from 1850 TO 1884, and with
uffied drums and lurled colors the party
will march behind the procession Of expan-
themselves TO favor. Bryan and his party are
fighting the tendencies OF the nineteenth
! century and the certainties OF the twentieth"
| This is q very true picture Bryan and his
coterie, reckless OF party or of country in
| their self interest, or too small minded TO
grasp the conditions OF the time, are setting
patch work dam againsts strong river. Un-
der the leadership OF Cleveland the Democrat
| ic party, as Senator Depew says, became q
| positive and a strong force, that accomplish ed
| things. Under the incitement-it can not be
called leadership-of w. j. Bryan, the Demo.
| cracy has become loose Joined negation
| that does lot prohibit even.
The wreck wrought by Bryan Of the fne
structure reared by Cleveland is remarked by
| the New York Evening Post In New Jersey,
In the days OF Cleveland's leadership strong
Democratic State, in national and State
affairs. The evening Post says: New Jersey
more clearly than any other State. 1t is
naturally Democratic, yet IT shows not the
| slightest indication OF swinging back, as that
other naturally Democratic State, Maryland.
has done. There Is no reason TO think II ever
will as long as Organism remains portent
| less leaders who have bestridden the party In
Bryan's name remain In control. The
| respectable Democrats are evidently letting
that crowd az severely alone this year % az they
be is In Ohio and New York and Pennsylva.
mia, the saviour OF Republican bosses. He
denounces them. vet he plays into their
hands. But for him there might be some
chance OF unhorsing them but what shall II
prof! New Jersey voter TO get rid OF Boss
Sewell and fling himself into the arms OF
Bryanite Bill Daly?"
The same condition prevails In New York.
| IN Indiana, In Massachusetts and Ohio to
some extent. Illinois, California, Michigan,
Clevelands leadership. are now fast riveted
] to RepubH canism, driven thither by Bryan.
It Is hard to view the conditions with
equanlmity, and quite possible TO have any
patience with the wrecker who has destroyed
SO ruthlessly the creation ofa master builder.