The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-29
Drift Toward Bryan and
Democracy.
THE REPUBLIC IN DANGER.
Many Republicans Revolt at I'm
perialism.
BRYAN SUPPORTERS STAND FIRM.

Coming Back-SiGns ThAt the u. y.
II. Is Disintegrating- Republican
Organs Lie to Bolster Up a Losing
Cause-Trath About the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty-Fun on the stump.
Especial Washington letter.
"Where are we at" is a question
familiar to the ears of men since
celebrated statesman propoundcd it to
the speaker of the house some years
ago. where are we atv' Is query
causing many statesmen to lose sleep,
grow baldheaded and become irritable
these hot dog days. where are we
at?'' is query whose honest and in
telligent answer has tendency to en-
courage Democrats to be of good cheer
everywhere.
/ have had extra good opportunities
to observe and my conclusion is that
the drift is toward Bryan and Democ-
racy, and it will be remembered that a
very small drift will give us the vic
tory. While there will be no stampede
of Republican voters there will be
enough, and to spare, of them to land
Bryan in the White House.
Recently l have been travelling
through Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas
and Iowa indulging in the luxury of
Joint lectures on imperialism" with
Hon. J. p. Dolliver of Iowa, late candi-
date for the Republican vice presiden-
tial nomination, and Hon. G. b. Lands
Of Indiana, the great Mormon ex-
terminator at home and Mormon sup
porter abroad.
It's really pity about Dolliver. He
is young, handsome, brilliant and am
bilious. His friends thought him fit
for at least second place. l myself
helped his boom along all could, but
Mark nipped it in the bud and foisted
Teddy the Terror on the ticket.
mourn for Dolliver as bright young
man who fell before Marks smoker
snee.
AS for Lands, he thinks polygamy
wrong in Utah, but it is the proper ca
per in the Sulu islands.
= H>s 500 Republic In Danger.
But what l started out to say is that
this lecturing business with Dolliver
and Lands has taken me over great
deal of territory and brought me into
contact with great many people, and
l conclude that the drift is toward
Bryan and Democracy.
Not only are prominent Republicans
quitting the G. o. P.-such men as
Governor George S. Boutwell, of Mas
sachusetts and Webster Davis of Mis-
souri, and Judge Stiles Of Nebraska
but the 'plain people" are breaking
away.
At Winfield, Kan, a veteran Of the
civil war, wearing a Grand Army but
ton in the lapel of his coat, came to me
after the debate and said: you preach
ed the truth today. You were too
young to be in the civil war, but you
are doing now what | did then-stand-
ing up for the preservation of the re-
public. | have voted the Republican
cket all my life, but can't do it any
more. The republic is in danger"
On the platform at Atchison, Kan, a
young man, son of a great Iowa law
yer and Republican, came up and cor
daily greeted Brother Dolliver, but
saying: Mr.. Dolliver, our folks have,
as you know, always been Republic
ans, but can't stand this Imperialism,
and, as Bryan can't do anything with
his 16 to 1 theory, even if he is elected,
with a hostile senate, l am going to
vote for him." Then. to my amaze
ment Dolliver. after the fashion of
drowning can grabbing at straw,
said to his young friend: ''The tail goes
with the hide. If Bryan is elected, the
Democrats will carry both senate and
house,
Then / took out pad Of paper and
pencil and demonstrated to the re-
pentant young Republican that the
senate is now Republican by IA ma
jority; that the very best we could
hope for is to gobble five senatorial
seats now held by Republicans; that,
unless there is regular tidal wave or
landslide, we can't capture the senate,
and that the chances were that we
would gain only four seats, which,
taking off four from the Republicans
and adding four to our column, would
still leave the Republicans six major
ity in the senate.
Thus Brother Dolliver and l wrestled
for that wavering vote on the depot
platform at Atchison, Kan, While
waiting for Il train, and prevailed.
And so it goes everywhere-not a
man who supported Bryan in 1896
wavering, while voters of every de-
gree are quitting the McIIannaites; not
by the millions, but in squads-squads
in every nook and corner of the coun-
try; squads which in the aggregate
will give Bryan from % to over 100
majority in the electoral college.
The Gold Democrats.
The gold Democrats are also coming
into the fold to swell the anti-imperial-
istic chorus. We are glad to have them
back in the house Of their fathers. It's
the proper place for them-indeed for
all who love their country.
Webster Davis, as l predicted in my
last letter, is coming in for a great
deal of abuse, but guess Webster can