The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-09-11

silver Republican, whom the Nebraska
leaders coalition program had brought
to the front.
OF all the practitioners who for four
years have enjoyed Colonel Bryan's
counsel and sympathy none has APP
piled his theory OF fusion with more
dash and thoroughness than Senator
Marion Butler. Of North Carolina, In
the North Carolina legislature Of 1895
AIR. Butler, then rising Populist lead
er. struck bargain with the Repub-
licans by which he obtained one Of the
states two seats in the senate and letter
c. Pritchard. Republican, the other.
In 1896. though ardantly supporting
Bryan as the presidential nominee Of
the pemocra,ic-P -Populist-silver Repub-
lican alliance. he forced the choice Of
Thomas C Watson as a separate Pop
ulist candidate for vice-president, and
then went home to North Carolina 10
arrange a fusioh with the Republicans
for state Offices and representatives OF
congress. A year later, when Mr..
Pritehard's term expired. Mr.. Butler at
tempted. though fruiuessly. to defeat
his election by a Democratie-Popullst
union; yet the very next year he was
found asain combining TO send to con-
gress a delegation half Populist and half
Republican. This summer. though beat
en- .or reelection the other day by
Democratic red shirts" and even driv-
on by threats Of personal violence from
the stumr. Mr.. Butler is talking again
Of arranging a Democratic -Popullst fu-
sion on presidential electors-a proposal
which the red shirt" leaders will prob
ably reject with contempt.
Colonel Bryan's own record as po-
litical pluralist pales somewhat beside
that of his North Carolina friend and
follower. stin. ne has never yet ap-
pealad for office except as the benefici-
airy Of some sort Of political fusion. He
ran for congress in 1890 and 1892 as
a Democrat with Populist approval and
His first presidential can
vass-made on the paramount issue Of
silver infation-drew to his support
three distinct national organizations,
the Democratic. the Popullst and the
Silver Republican. This year. with a
issue OF free coinage for
the far West and a paramount issue Of
government with the consent of the
for the East and Middle
West. he is angling for the yotes alike
Of Silver Democrats. Populists, Gold
Standard Democrats. Silver Republl-
cans. Democratic expansionlsts and
anti-imperialists. All are
legitimate fish for the Democratic presi-
Dental candidate. if he can only land
them by a judicious Juggling with the
of his bait basket.
Varying the bait too frequently and
loo openly is. however. Colonel Bryan's
weakness. Hardened as he
S to the promotion of political alliances
with no cohesive force behind them ex-
cept greed for Office. he cannot real
ze the folly of asking the Southern
sxpansionist and the Northern anti
TO sink their differences for
the further glorihcation Of the cause
of silver. or the Gold Democrat and
the Silver Republican to drop past
luarrels and principles in a vociferous
demand for Filipino independence. The
American voter has a wholesome dis
trust Of political alliances reared on
no tangible community of purpose or
opinion. and 1t will not take many more
addresses to convince him
that the motley combination Of inter-
.sts which Colonel Bryan heads this
year is a coalition for Dlunder. and
plumber only.