The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-11-13
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1t is possible that Bryan may b
able to derive a sort of mournful con
ISOLATION from perusal Of the expires
sion of opinion of leading democrat
with reference to the future of tn
democratic party, as published in TIN
New Orleans Picayune, but it must b
of the sort felt by the fellow who ha'
Just received a whipping and reflects
how much worse it might have beer
had the other fellow pummeled hin
harder. 1t is noticeable that while
expressed in different language and
that each Of the gentlemen quoted his
notions of his own. the unanimity OF
opinion that exists among them on one
subject is really remarkable-and it
is this unanimity that must cause I'M
pleasant thoughts to Mr.. Bryan-they
ali seem to think that a little less of
Rryanism and more of the old time
democracy is what the party needs if
it has any desire to be a factor in ma
tional affairs in the future. He and
his followers may take refuge in the
plea that the mel whose opinions were
asked are of the ''gold bug" persua-
sion. but that will take only little of
the sting put of the rebuff admins
tered. They are among the mel who
were leaders of the party when Bryan
was still an unknown lawyer practic-
ing i'm the courts OF Nebraska and
their words are bound to carry weight
with them and cause some deep think
ing between now and the next ma
tional calspaign.
Hoke Smith from his Atlanta home
gives proof that the lessons lac learned
while in CleveIand's cabinet have
not been forgotten and utters senti-
ments worthy of his teacher. The
fact that he is inclined TO be a trife
SARCASTIC ubPh hDt hNtIhht tHN
norris of his suggestion In a covert
manner he refers to the load the party
found itself forced 10 carry by saying
that a party which can poll the enor-
mons vote the democratic party re-
Gently polled is far from being a dead
Marty. He advises the party ia dlplo-
matte terms 10 be more conservative
i'm the future, and then resorts to
plain every day terms and urges the
adoption of a sound money platform
IN 1904 and the nomination Of a can
didare against whom no faetlonal
fight can be made. OF course, MI,
Smith has 40 reference whatever fa
Mr.. Bryan.
Then there is Carchings OF Missisr
sippi, His reply is, perhaps, the Least
diplomatic OF any. He does not mlnet
matters, but strikes out from TIL
shoulder, Here is what he says
"Drop frse silver; drop fusionism
drop the cry of government by lnJnne
tinn; drop the cry of imperialism anf
militarism drop discussion about TN
Philippines until peace has been re
stored, drop appeals to passions am
prejudiees of the idle and discomfort
ed" Mr., Smith then tells the part,
what II should rake up i'm the way q
issues, but IL Is doubtful whether an
portion OF his recommendation vii
be acted upen, for by dropping all III
things through which he has run hl
blne pencil the demoefatle party wi
have no excuse for trying 10 keep u
even an much an 4 semblanee ut fnfnI
existence, The yery things he say
ought 10 be dropped are the ones III
democrats seem ~ hold most dear, Il
they are the things advocated by II
republicans and on which they We
the splendid victory the echoes I
which arc still reyerheraling fhrone
the land, NnbAdy will dare ~ rriti'
Nv, smiths advice, bHl IL h safe
say that IL will not he follawed,
least MOI during the life time nj an,
l0dy NJ present on this plane af eAis
enie,I
Tins harden Of The entire list nf =
plies saeMs 10 indicate q well grounds
tMliNf thai the old ISSUES mnst /
sud thai the demoeratie party has
hi "harn again II IL " ~ live ~
retain sufficient vitality 10 make
wAvtllS VI la designated ~ q PARTY
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