Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-09-28
BRYAN GAINING FRIENDS.
Recent Converts to the Democratic
Caase-Members Of Cleveland's
Cabinet.

'Over-confioence," according to wise
political leaders, is the danger that
democracy has to fear in the comingi
.ampaign. The most conservative
men in the party have all along antici-
Dated a hard, uphill fight in large
lumber of the eastern states 1t was
cared that in that region converts
would be hard to get. 1t was early in
he campaign conceded that the lead
.rs of what has been termed the gold
democracy" would with one accord
support Mckinley. However, during
she last few days the political situa-
ion in the east has assumed an entire
y new aspect. David Bennett Hills
Iictum, 81 am democrat seems to
lave been the slogan adopted by near
y all of the leaders of the Palmer
3uckner movement of 1896. Being
democrats, and being men with live
.onsciences and keen sense of honor
Ind patriotism, they could not do
otherwise than rally to the support of
hose fundamental principles of de-
nocracy upon which are grounded not
only the democratic party, but the
fabric of our government as we'll
Whatever the fancied dangers of free
lificance when compared to the unut-
terable loss of free government. Inn
perialism and militarism have been
termed "bogies," shadow issues, phan-
tastes of light-headed politicians, but
within the last few days it has be-
come evident that they are regarded
Of such vital Importance that the men
who have been lauded by the repub-
iican press as the soundest and ablest
leaders of democracy are willing upon
those two issues alone to cast their for
tunes and unite their efforts with the
forces supporting the nominee of the
democratic party.
While the landslide in the east was
expected, it was not expected so soon,
and only the most sanguine enter
tanned hopes that the landslide would
ever assume the proportions of an
avalanche, but nevertheless the move
ment has been started in the east that
bids fair to sweep away the dearest
hopes of republican leaders.
Richard Oiney, in an open letter, has
publicly announced his intention of
supporting the candidacy of Mr.. Bry-
an. Who is Mr.. Olney? Every school
boy could answer the question; he was
Mr.. Cleveland's secretary of state. He
was moreover man concerning whose
abilities, discernment, sound common
sense and patriotism the republican
press in 1896 wrote volumes. He was
pointed to with pride as a leader who
Srepudiated Bryanism." It will be in
teresting to notice the changed atti-
tude that the republican press will
assume. Mr.. Olney will undoubtedly
De termed cheap politician, a rat
tle-brained fanatic. Some may even
20 SO far as to term him a traitor, but
let them say what they will. the an
nouncement of Mr.. Olney, together
with the declaration of William L. Will
son that he, too, means to support the
democratic ticket. will have tremen-
dous effect not only upon the campaign
N the east, but upon the campaign in
the whole United States. 1t is confident
~ expected that the next few weeks
will see the whole ttgold democracy
headed by Mr.. Cleveland, in line for
Bryan.
The coming out of Mr.. Olney is one
Of the most recent links in the long
chain of prominent men who have re-
uounced Mckinley and the interests
which he has officially subserved; he is,
however, the link which unites the hith-
.rto diverging branches of democracy.
Among other recent converts may be
1amed Thomas Wentworth Higginson.
Bourke Cochran, Webster Davis. Sen
.tor Wellington, Patrick Egan, Henry
q. johnson, John J. Valentine, Pat
rick Collins, the friend and adviser of
Tilden and Cleveland
Chairman Jones. speaking of Mr..
Olney's declaration, said: "Mr. Olney
IS conservative, able and courageous
man. He was conspicuous figure in
the Cleveland cabinet, and made "a
greater impression on the country
than any other man in it. He is rec
ognized everywhere as a man of great
ability and attainment; his declara-
ton in favor of Mr.. Bryan and the rea-
sons he gives for his position in the
campaign will have a marked effect
throughout the country.
81 was also very much gratified to
see the stand taken by Mr.. Wilson, who
was also a member of Mr.. Cleveland's
cabinet, and who has been a prom
inent figure in politics for years. He
enjoys an enviable reputation for abil-
ity and scholarship"
~ IL !,