New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-22
BREAKS IN THE BRYAN RANKS.

A week ago we called attention to some of the
perils attending Colonel Bryan's shifty effort at
Indianapolis TO swop issues in the midst
of a Presidential campaign. AS was then
pointed out. the extravagant emphasis laid by
the Fusion candidate on the issue of "im-
Ferialism" could not fail TO be interpreted
virtual notice of dissolution by the interests
which supported him in friendly partnership in
1896 II the common purpose for which the
Silver Republican, the Populist and the Demo
cratic organizations combined four years ago,
and We're induced TO unite their fortunes again
this year, was to be obscured or forgotten in the
new crusade for Filipino independence, serious
minded promoters of the free coinage fusion
movement might easily excuse themselves for
thinking that Colonel Bryans usefulness as a
coalition leader was at end. This view has
been forced more especially on those Western
| Republicans who welcomed Colonel Bryan's
leadership four years ago on the free silver
! coinage issue, but who have no interest in or
| sympathy with the policy of scuttle' in the
Philippines which the Nebraska leader thinks
| or pretends TO think of paramount impor-
/ lance" in the present campaign
| Last week two prominent Silver Republican
MISUNDERSTANDING Lee Mantle, of Montana
and A. NJ. Stevenson, long the official head of
the Silver Republican organization in Colorado
! declared their intention Of abandoning Bryan
| Ism and supporting the Republican National
! ticket This week another former pillar of
! fusion in the Rocky Mountain States Senator
| William NJ. Stewart of Nevada announces in
these scathing terms his reputation Of the pro-
gramme put forward by Colonel Bryan at In
dianapolis:
Mr.. Bryan's unparalleled campaign for the
principles Of the Chicago platform and his In
elstence upon the adoption Of that platform at
Kansas City induced the people to suppose the
| campaign of 1900 would be conducted on the
| Issues Of 1896. In this they were mistaken.
An hallucination induced Bryan to make war
| on an army of ghosts and hobgoblins which
| his diseased brain created. He sought his
| closet In pursuit Of phantoms and strung to-
| gether ten thousand words. which he gave to
! the public at Indianapolis. The pledge to sup
| port Aguinaldo's rebellion has already borne
fruit The Anti-Imperial League Of America
| Immediately convened at Indianapolis, nomi-
mated Mr.. Bryan for President and promised
| 10 support him with all the zeal and fidelity
with which they maintain the cause of Agui-
| Ealdo. When Mr.. Bryan affiliated with
| that league and secured its support he betrayed
| his American followers and became the oandi-
| date Of the enemies of the United States both
at home and abroad He VIII not be President.
Senator Stewart is politician of long ex-
perience and undoubted skill in measuring the
! drift Of Western sentiment and his Impotence
with the "imperialistic' vagaries which Colonel
Bryan is now so zealously pursuing clearly re-
fleets the changed temper of large and grow
lowing in the mining States The effect of
Senator Stewards declaration on Nevada poI-
tics is likely TO cause the Democratic manag gers
more uneasiness than they are willing to admit
Two years ago, standing for reelection as
silverite pure and simple, the Nevada Senator
encountered a determined opposition, stfmu-
lated by Representative Newlands who has
since become a straightOut Democrat Mr.
Stewart won his fight, both in the Silverite eau
Gus and In the Legislature AT the election for
Governor in 1893 the Republican candidate
polled 30 per cent OF the total vote, against 35
for the Silver Republican, 20 for the Demo
cratic and 10 for the Populst With any seri-
GUS Silver Republican dsaffection a BRYAN
and Stevenson electoral ticket would therefore
have very narrow margin Of safety to count
upon this year.
But whatever the direct result of Senator
Stewards secession from the fusion alliance in
Nevada. the rapid spread of the Western re-
volt against Colonel Bryan's indianapolis pro
gramme introduces an element of doubt into
the canvass in Nevada Colorado Montana
Idaho and Utah which was wholly lacking four
years ago. Put on the defensive in one and all
/ these former stronsholds by an attempted