The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-11-14
Shall Bryan be Dethroned /.

The Columbia State sounds one clear note
In the valley Of defeat, and asks two or three
very pertinent questions which dsanecisdsa. aasidor.
with profit. It says: "To dethrone Bryan
from the position he holds in the hearts Of the
Democracy and Its allies you must cause them
going to do that9 Bryan did not. lead the
people into a false path be championed the
cause they had at heart and appointed him 10
champion. Therefore he has In no sense De-
trayed them into disaster. and this they know
full we'll. How, then, will you set about The
retirement of Bryan from political Leadership p
and represen tation of the Democraoys cause
Besides, one leader cannot be retired nnul
there is another to take his place. Who is to
take Bryan's place? What man in the party
can you name who would make such leader
as Bryan has proved even In defeatT VINO
Is he. and where is he? Name him.-News
and Courier. -'' ~, a.. - .-.. -
If the News and Courier would read Its own
correspondence. We think that paper would
not need to talk about "dethroning" Bryan
He has been "dethroned," as Is certified by
the recent election. The decentralization, or
disruption of the Democratic party, may
mean something to which the people them
selves might take into consideration. What
ever cause, every citizen may see that the
Democratic party does not stand as q unit, as
1t did in former years. ....,r.
We would not attribute anything to Bryan.
He has proved that he has neither force nor
influence. From our standpoint, there are
perhaps million men In the United States
who could have done as we'll as he did in the
recent election. II we are not in error he rs
celved about dozen votes outside Of the
Southern Confederacy. A wooden Indian.
II he had the Democratic nomination., can be
fol- tod IN tot q m a n.
ern Confederacy. ... rs htHS$!:3s
Viewing 1t as we do. Bryan is a talker, but
not thinker. He is full Of words, ready at
phrase-making, can talk half an hour abont
chinquepin. but he has exhibited little
or nothing Of the statesman. He has
neither the ability nor the sagacity to grasp
the great national issues. The Democratic
platform had very little in 1t except kicks at
the government. IT did not touch any great
or national issue. 1t was distinguished chief
ly for faultfnding and for the avoidance OF
national principles. I'll
Bryan is nothing. He is not even factor
in any practical scheme, looking to the ad.
| vancement and progress which wide-awake
people must make. Little men look back
ward and cry over split milk. Whether 1t
az
no matter OF concern after the deed has been
accomplished. II the Government erred In
taking them, let us hold somebody RESPONSE
BILE for the mietake, but let Us keep the islands
and make the best Of even bad bargain.
The Democrats, 1t seems to rs, are opposed
to progress. They oppose the Philippine
islands; they oppose sufficient army to
crush out the rebellion in these islands; they
oppose greater navy, and are against the
subsidy to American shipping; and II they
are in favor of the Nicarauga canal, we have
heard little of the fact. .
The Democratic party needs progress sive
leaders. We need few statesmen. We lit
orally have not one who has q right to the
claim of statesman. We need to wake up
from our sleep and realize that the Democza tic
party must keep abreast Of the times and
must 20 to battle on live issues.
We wish that our most excellent contempo-
rary would not bea kicker. There is fine
opportunity for some newspaper to become a
great factor In guiding public opinion and in
directing the people forward, insteadfof back
ward, there Is an open field OF usefulness.
Facts might just as we'll be admitted,
and we hope to see the News and Courier be-
come representative of the progressive
thought in South Carolina. Bryan Is literally
nothing, and he is now q back number. He
should be allowed to rest. Personally, he is
without reproach, but as politician he has
brought most signal defeat, and If 1t we're
possible to put him again at the head of af.
fairs, the Democratic party would be die.
rupted. The silent protest Of good people
would deyelope open and outspoken hostility.
His Populistic principles will not longer be
tolerated.