The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-06
FRIDAY, JULY G, 1900
THE oNE-NIaN POWER

The Democratic Convention Of 1900 will
so down TO history as the Bryan Conven-
ton. That .'Measuers are greater than
me- had always, until now, been the
r,stto of the Democratic party. but the
convention of 1899 was completely domi=
mated by man, and The measures were
manufactured 10 suit him. The wishes Of
William ]. Bryan controlled that conven-
ton, and the delegates bowed down be-
fore him. No Senate of degenerate Rome
ever more obediently recorded the Tescript
of Caligula than did this convention Of
Americans accept the doctrine of their
.-peerless leader
There was conservative element in the
: convention, and it was opposed to spe-
cific declaration on the free coinage ques-
ton. but Mr.. Bryan. served notice that a
distinct declaration for the free coinage of
silver at l6 TO should be contained in the
platform, or he would not run: and, al
though a spirited fight was made in COM
mittec, and although there were vigorous
protests from Florida, Georgia, Maryland.
Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, Nir-
ginia and West Virginia, to say nothing Of
other States in The North and West, and
although John ". Daniel, of Virginia, an
original free silver man, lifted his voice in
protest. although this plank i'll the platform
was opposed by twenty-four members out
of fifty In the committee. the conservatives
yielded and Mr.. Bryan had his way. The
motto seemed TO be, The voice of Bryan
is the voice Of the convention"
The silver plank in The platform is. If
possible, more pronounced and emphatic
than the silver plank in The platform of
1886. The Democratic party is pledged, if
ii should succeed this year, at the earliest
possible moment 10 open the minis of this
country 20 the free and unlimited coinage
of silver and gold at the fixed ratio of 16
to !, without waiting FOR the aid or consent
Of any other nation. 1t is affirmed that free
silver at The ratio OF l6 10 is. as Governor
Stone recently put it, fixed principle of
tho Democratic party, and that in the
future, as during the past four years. this
is to be the measure OF every mans Demo-
cracy. This, We say, IS done at the dicta-
succeeded in getting the party completely
under his thumb and is able TO make its
representatives do his bidding.
OF course this substitution of Bryan's
personal views for the principles of the
Democratic party dissolves The bands of
the Democratic party in a way that they
have never been dissolved befo-e The
test OF Democracy is no longer faith in
principle, but obedience to one man a
hopeful view Of the Democratic case may
be taken. however, from the reflection that
things never get better until they have
gotten to the worst, and that generally the
daries, period of the night is before dawn
The splendid fight which Was made for the
conservative Democracy by Daniel and
Hill and their allies shows that there is
vigorous life in the old party Yet, and that
The day viii come when principles and not
srot. The old story of sinbsd, the sailor,
with the Old Man of the Sea across his
shoulders. who, by the way, WAS not I'M
loaded until he had become intoxicated. is
reproduced by the Democratic party stag
gertng under the boy orator from The
Platte, who is gripping his knees around
ths Democratic neck, but who. apparently,
has become intoxicated by the applause of
his admirers, and is riding for heavy fall
In November.
II will be glorious day for Democracy
when they are thoroughly rid OF Bryan.
We understand how. in view of this APP
proachin: death and resurrection OF Demo-
crazy. many man who ahhors Organism
viii. for reeulasd,y's sake. and With Joy
Tul hops in tho future. swallow the dose,
nnd Others will just abstain from voting.
while others again, in uneontreliable dis
Gl,e.. will po;e tho Republican ticket. But
Democratic principle, as it was understood
by Jefferson and ali intelligent and reasona-
bic Democrats ever since his time. is the
gospel ., government. and once app,e-