New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-28
STONE As PROPHET.


Ex-Governor William J. Stone, who we be
lieye, dccoratcs the office of vicp-charman Of
The Democratic National Committee has just
come out Of the West with all the cheerful
optimism Of Young Lochinvar Attentive OBJ
servaron for a considerable period has con-
WINGED him that the pTaries are ablaze for
Bryan: that everything indicates his election
by IN overwhelming majority. and that moth
ing but the use of forbidden and abhOrrent
forces by his adversaries can give them the
electoral votes Of the Middle West, which are
essential 10 their success. Mr.. Stone does not
put all this into actual words, but the general
idea fairly bubbles up from between the lines
Of the Interview which he impaired TO the re-
porters on Wednesday afternoon He is partcu-
larry delighted with the sight of the "old war
horses Of Democracy prancing up to the front,
and thus setting the pace for "the tremendous
trend Of sentiment" especially in Illinois, Indi-
ana and Ohio, toward the Democratic candi-
date. Why, there scarcely a dry eye in
the party throughout that region when, fixing
their gaze upon New-YorB. the ever faithful
saw Mr.. Croker and Senator Murphy on one
hand and Senator Hill and Mr.. Coler on the
"other with Tammany and the State organza-
"tion, all working in harmony" 1t happens
that most of the people in this part Of the
hut if it was distinctly visible wherever Mr.
Stone has travelled it must have occurred all
right
We hate to cast shadow on the prospect
which the Democratic vice-chairman so allur-
insy sets forth. but after all there is nothing
essentially mean in a word Of caution which
may possibly prevent overconfidence in the
ranks of his party and consequent apathy.
The truth is that Mr.. Stone is given to being
just trifie sanguine. Four years ago in Madi-
son Square Garden before the vast audience
which had gathered to hear Mr.. Bryan speak
and was therefore compelled TO stay through the
preliminary exercises, Mr.. Stone officially in
formed the candidate Of his nomination. 1t
a solemn and momentOus occasion. we'll
calculated to chaSten the exuberance of the
most Eighty prophet Representing the chair
man Of the Notification Committee, who was
unavoidably absent Mr.. Stone was indeed
under a special obligation TO refrain from utter
ing a single word which might by unduly exalt-
ing the spirits disturb the Judgment of Mr.
Bryan. Did he observe that simple yet i'm
perative precaution: Far from II. Rashy re-
lying upon his prophetic soul for guidance. he
exclaimed: 4 have no doubt of victory. 1t Is
as sure to come as the rising of the SUM- And
at viii come, like a sunburst. scattering the
"msts: and the Nation, eYultant and happy
will leap forward like a giant refreshed to
"the high destiny 1t was designed to accom-
"plsh. This man will be President"
There are doubtless men in the Democratic
party who, being now similarly placed, might
attempt TO explain that last sentence by say
ing they meant that Bryan would he President
at some time in the future; but we have no
idea that Mr.. Stone will resort to any such
subterfuge. He thought he was addressing
sure winner in the campaign Of 1896. just as
he now thinks that the old war horses Croker
and Coler and Murphy and Hill are going to
lead the Democratic hosts to victory this year
But, have intinated, the Democratic
hosts will make a mistake if they permit them
selves to become Overconident and apathetic
all of a sudden. We advise them at least to
wait until they have heard from the other old
war horses