The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-12-27
THE DAILY JOURNAL.
BY HoFER BROTHERS,
THURsDAY DEC. q, IOOO.
Daily One Year, $500 In Advance
Daily Four Months 81 In Advance
Weekly One Year rS1.oOsinl Advance
Mr. BRYArs POSSIBILITIES FOR GOOD OR
EVIL.

Mr. BRYANs POSSIBILITIES FOR GOOD OR
EVIL.
In political banquet got mp at Linz
coin by Mr.. Brysn's political followers
he gave the FIRST expression last night
as 10 his intentions for the future. As
we read his words he means 70 make
an inevitable event for better or worse
for third attempt on the presidency.
lie says he only wanted the office for the
good he could do in that position,
kind Of talk many oflice.seekers indulge
in:
whether ! shall ever be candidate
for Office again ie question which must
be determined by events.
"Our destiny 10 not known until our
life's work 10 completed. | shall be con-
tent n it is my lot 10 aid in the triumph
Of our principles, while othere enjoy the
honars and bear the responsibility Of
office.
''The holding Of public position should
be an incident, not the aim for citizen.
Il should be the means for the accomp-
lishment OF a purpose.
"The Presidency seemed desirable
because IL would have enabled me 81
give effective aid TO certain reforms
which believe to he necessary 90 the
public welfare, but defeat, even the
second defeat, does not lessen my in.
terest in this reform, and time may
prove that my work is 10 advocate rather
than TO execute.
"The principles for which we con-
tended In the last campaign still live,
and We, who believe in them, must
continue to fight for them. An elec.
tion does not change principles. IL
only determines what principles shall
be, for the time'being applied"
No one can doubt that there will be an
opposition party, or that the organiza-
tion will be known as the Democratic
party. There will also be a Socialist
party. Mr.. Bryan will not be identified
with the latter any more than enough 10
try TO get lot Of itsvoters. The ques-
tion, should there be revolt from Me-
kinley's administration will Mr..
Bryan again attempt to lead the OPP
position, is one that remains for Mr..
Bryan's conscience TO answer. WIN
lac again seek to make himself the
only and inevitable man TO put ON the
head OF the ticket, without consulting
the older and possibly wiser leadership
OF the party2 No one doubts his ability
10 do that very thing. There are large
possibilities for good or evil locked up in
Mr.. Bryan. The tone Of his utterances
and those OF his friends at the Lincoln
banquet are indicative of possibilities We
do not like t0 look forward 10. II they
are kept mp by MIR. Bryan and his friends
it means an unlimited lease Of power for
the Republican party, and no possible
ties for good for any one, Mr.. Bryan
is an able man and in many respects a
good man, but he must know that he
aud his following have NOR
al responsibility toward the cause
OF reform,and that they cannot occupy a
dictatorial attitude toward the conserya-
tive elements Of the opposition without
playing into the hands Of enemies Of
constitutional government. Men like
ex-President Harrison arise and condemn
the policies Of the Mckinley administra,
tion. Yet he voted for Mr. Mckinley
hecanse the opposition was so managed
as a. make them dread worse
the evils OF the unknown under
the leadership Of Mr.. Bryan. Tc
whom shall the opposition voter turn
when he is compelled 10 leave his own
party, because OF It's assaults upon CON
stitntional government, when there are
stil more violent departures from the
charter Of our liberties by It's pretended
iriendsg On this point hinges Mr..
hIgan's possibilities for good or evil. He
has had his SAY. lie har had his day
twice. Ills remarks are underlaid by a
tone that forecasts a possibly more
modest course o. action ia the future.
Ale bis words prophetic Of success or
disaster de can keep large following