Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-06-15
ORA WING THE LINES OF BATTLE

The past week was an eyentfu and sig.
nificant one. Much was done by both the
political parties Of the country to shape the
lines for the battle of 1900.
II There has existed any doubt or room for
doubt as 10 the absolute ascendency Of viii.
liam Jennings Bryan as the leader Of bis
party, and his nomination at Kansas City as
the Democratic candidate for the Presidency
that doubt no longer exists. William J.
Bryan will be the unanimous nominee oil
the Democratic convention for President
and recent political events indicate that q
very large proportion Of the sound money
Democratic who opposed Bryan four years
ago will give him faithful II not enthusiastic
support. Bryans popularity with the rank
and file of the Democratic party is 80 gen.
eral and 80 positively inspired TO give az.
gressive support 10 his cause that all who
look for future fellowship with Democracy
will follow in lAvoring Bryan.
The two most important Democratic State
Conventions OF the year were held last week
In New York and Maryland Both of those
States voted against Bryan by overwhelming
majorities at the general election Of 1895,
aud neither could be carried against Nc.
Kinley with the cheap money issue accept.
cd as vital in the struggle. The conven.
tons of both States declared 10 favor OF
Bryan's nomination for President and both
practically discarded the free silver money
issue. This important action of an appar
entity united Democracy in both Maryland
and New York will be likely 10 impress the
National Convention with the necessity of
conserving the Chicago platform OF 1896,
and making the new questions of the day
the vital issues Of the battle.
II is now evident tn ell intelligent and
dispassionate observers OF the political stu.
alton that the Democrats Of the country will
be much less divided In the support of Bryan
in the coming contest than they were four \
years ago, and the Republicans TO win In
The coming struggle must win on their own
strength rather than on any weakness oil the
Democracy.
4 The country feared free silver four years
ago. but there IL no reason TO fear 1t now. |
Our financial policy Is settled, and no pop.
iular judgment given In the coming nation.
al battle could 10 any way change Ii. The
business interests Of the country will there. |
fore not be disturbed by the money issue.
The lines Of the two great parties are now
pretty well shaped, and the Democrats will |
certainly be In stronger position than was |
anticipated when Congress met In Decem.
Der last. They have the advantage Of an
aggressive campaign before them, with the
Republicans compelled to accept the de.
fenslve because of the fsilureof Congress 10 |
legislate on the trust issue, the Nicaragua |
canal, the war taxes, the Philippines and |
other questions which will be more or less |
factors in the national battle. But with all |
these advantages, those who assume that the \
great national battle OF 1900 will not be one |
Of the most earnest and possibly one Of the |
most doubtful struggles Of our national his
tory do not intelgently appreciate existing |
political conditions.