The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-11-07
WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER Z, 1900.
TI,t, PASSING OF E,sYAN.

THE PASSING Or Ets1AN.
For the second time IN four years the
personal ascentiancy OF William J. Bryan
has caused the downfall of the Democratic
party.
For four years more the administration
of this country. for better or worse. will
he in the hands Of The Republican party,
not because their PRINCIPLES are believed
in, not because their methods are admired,
not because Their record is loved, but
solely and SIMPLY because the American
people. Democrats and other, are unwd;l-
ing 10 trust the guidance Of this nation
- Nilljnn J. Bryan. Not that Mr.
Bryan,s Presidency was IN the nature Of
things ;,redestined and foreorda.ned to
J disaster and his administration to failure,
for Mr. Bryan night have made a good
and safe Pres dent. as VIC believe he
would have made M honest one. But the
chance OF his putting into actual practice
theories which the pubic thought both
nnw!se and unsafe could not be overlooked,
nor co,1sd their probable outcome be
ignored.
Tho existence OF this feeling became
apparent 10 the world when the conven-
tson met al Kansas CITY 1t was acicnowl-
edged ny the party leaders in their effort
IN force 1sae silver issue into Al subordinate
place. But the American people, with an
tns.steloo thai would not he gatnsa.a,
demanded an explicit statement Of the
position that Nr. Bryan would take in 1909
= j,i,,
prominent in 1895. The answer was not
forthcoming.
The silver issue, like Banquo's ghost,
would not down and could not be met
The promises and prophecies of 1896
stood empty and urculfaed.
The only possible panacea, alleged by
Mr.. Bryan, had been rejected, and the
patient was we'll.
The people saw that what was true as
a scientific theory in 1886 Was true il, 1900
And 50 they urged Mr.. Bryan to tell them
how he would apply tiut theory that
struck at tho very ritals OF our national
life. and from him they received equivocal
and ouibbilag replies.
We do not mean 10 be harsh in dealing
with a defeated candidate, but it must
be confessed that Mr.. Bryan. in his cam
iaisn speeches, appealed not always to
the reason OF the people. bat often to
their prejudices and possessions. and
sought 10 array class against class in a
land where there are no classes, but
where all are free citizens and every cjti-
zen a sovereign.
1t Is far from our purpose to class Mr..
Bryan with intentional ,narpiots and strife
makers of history. We do not taink him
a Charlatan. as many have designated
him. He had staked his all on free silver
as an essential principle OF Democracy.
We need not discuss here 1sy what means
he was enabled to force upon the Demo
cratic party the adoption of a personal
p.ediection as a cardinal tenet es faith.
II is sufficient that the Democratic party
did adopt freq silver as the final test
under Mr.. Brvans leadership and lost.
The first defeat might have been attci-
huted 10 any one of a number of causes,
bat the second defeat leaves no room
Cor doubt. 1t Is demonstrated beyond all
RStShaS4itulS ilidt Inc moving cause OF
the overwhelming defeat of 1853 is 10 be
found NOT In the platform OF the Demo
cratic party. not in its record or its prom
tscs. bun SIMPLY ard solely il the person
Atty of w .liiam ]. Bryan. What there is
OF Popnaism and Repubicanism in The.
Democratic party to-day comes from his
alliance with those of allen faith. What
the people feared was not the platform
ara principles % Democracy. but The per-.
sonailty and Leadership 0; William j.
Bryan.
But II s.d.o of this biunder. Democracy.
+ lives and viii Ike. for 1t Is established In
the hearts of The people The party tas
lived through defeat many time. 1t
has meyer been cast down. The party
Mil new reorgan re and purge itself Of
1Aopuiisin and make ready for tho next
contest It has now been DEMONSTRATED.
AZ ii needed to be demonstrated. that
Democracy S strongest when fighting
aaon.. for II Is only thus that It can naak
ia ~ integrity. VINES, It makes alliances