The Portland daily press., 1900-11-08

primarily, but the opportunity to put
their ideas into practice. While
they may be all wrong they
are sincere. These men took up Bryan
because they believed that he was at
tached to their theories. They fought 70
elect him simply because they believed
that with him in the Presidential chair
their theories would be put into practice.
They might transfer their allegiance and
support to another who believed as
they do, but never to one who did
not. They win never allow the Demo-
cratic party to repudiate their theories
IL they can help 1t and II they are defeat
ed they will abandon the Democratic par
ty. Bryan, or some man like him must be
the leader OF tho party so long as
they remain in it. Hence these
men are practically certain to stand by
Bryan Notwithstanding his defeat.
There is another class calling themselves
Democrats, who are also men with prin.
ciples and theories, but OF very different
kind from thoss cherished by Aitgeid ard
his ilk They have no more use for
party which does not stand for definite
principles and policies than Aitgeld.
They Will not follow party that has
come to misrepresent them, simply be-
cause IL Is q party they have always be-
longed co, any more than he. They de-
serted in great numbers when the Chicago
platform was enunciated as the creed OF
Democracy, and though many Of them
voted for Bryan this year they did 1t
because, foreseeing mis- defeat, they de-
sired to be In as fevorapls position as
possible to make their influence felt when
the struggle came TO rescus the party
from the clutches of Altgeld and men OF
his views. OF course these men Will not
support Bryan, for to do that would lie
to support theories which they abhor.
A battle royalls impending between them
and those of the Altgeld stripe. and
in It's essence 1t will be q conflict between
different principles and theories.
A victory for one faction will be
followed by the withdrawal OF tire
other from the party. Their ideas are too
conflicting to permit their living to-
gether under the same roof.
The result of this LATHE will be decisive
in settling the fate of Bryan as factor
ofEimportance In the Democratic party.
Bryan, unless he Is born again, or his
mental or physical powers fail, will be
just as grateful 70 the Altgeld
wing four years hence as he
was four years ago or is now. and II
they succeed it is difficult to see why he
will not have as good q chance to be the
Democratic candidate as In 1895 or 1900.
If they are beaten, then Bryan can no
longer lead the Democratic party, for
then 1t will stand for principles and
policies which he is entirely out of
sympathy with.
There is another class In the Demo-
cratic party which cares very little about
principles or policies. There are some Of
this class in every party, but in the
Democratic 1t is especially large. I'm
questionably upon the inclination OF
this class will depend in large measure
che result of the contest between the men
of the party who entertain rival theories.
Whittier It will lead them remains to be
seen. But as this GLASS care
principally for success, probably
that course will most commend
itself to them which promises best for
what they are after, and 1t viii be very
hard to make them believe that vic.
tory is TO be gained by following a road
which leads to the candidacy of man
who has twice been overwhelmingly de-
feated,