The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-09-13
A QUESTION OF RESPONSIBILITY
The Washington Post, in . recent

IVA AAcSA"CAAo SoV0OAAOA&s co..
"Does Mr.. Bryan stand for Goeb.
elismi II so, to what exten,f And
is a party responsible for the mis-
takes of its leaders, These are per-
t,nent questions which are not un-
likely to be widely discussed before
the campaign progresses far. IT it
should be found that the burning is.
sue la Kentucky has been projected
into the national arena, q whole
some lesson to future leaders may be
evolved from the experience of the
statesman who is recognized as tour
peerless leader" by the three parties
which are combined in support of
Mr.. Bryan's Presidential candidacy.
Mr.. Bryan's frst connection with
6 1ebelism was in the capacity of um-
pire to decide upon the validity of
Goebeps nomination for governor
last year. That nomination was mo-
toriously and indisputably the pro-
dust of fraud and force. Mr.. Bryan,
in his capacity Of national leader,
Endorsed it. Prior to that Goebel
had attained national notoriety as
the author and chief promoter Of an
election law which the self. respe Of
log Democratic press Of every Soc
zion had unsparingly denounced.
Having secured a law that would in
sure his counting in as governor, no
matter how many votes were cast
against him, Goebel took the nomi-
nation by means which no man in
Kentucky has ever undertaken to
defend. For the frst time in Amer
lean politics an appeal was made to
the recognized Presidential candi.
date OF q party, resident Of anoth-
or 5iato, to Interfere in a local feud
No such appeal should have been
made, and if obtruded upon the can
didate, should have been rejected al
incompatible with his position and
his relations to the party at large.
But Mr.. Bryan promptly respond. d
and put the seal Of regularity on no
torious fraud.
A few weeks later, and after the
anti Goebel movement in the Demo.
cratic party in Kentucky had be
come formidable, Mr.. Bryan respon,
ded in person to call for aid. He
went to Kentucky and traversed the
State on Goebel stumpipg tour. He
travelled not less than l 200 miles in
side Kentucky's borders in company
with Goeoel and used the ull weight
OF his Influence as the leader of the
National Democracy to arouse en-.
thuslasm and WIN votes for the gu
shor Of the Goe bel law and the hero
OF the Louisville convention.
And yet again Mr.. Bryan took
marked pains to identify himself
with 6cebelism. After the election
and when Goebel's defeat was al.
most universally admitted. Mr.. Bry
an sent him telegram from Lincoln
congratulating him on his election
and expressing the belief that his sd.
ministration would be helpful to the
Democratic party. "Does Mr.. Bry.
an stand for Goebelismf' In view
of these undeniable facts that ques.
ton must be answered ahirmatl vely.
ITO what extenta" Those facts an
swer that. As the leader of the Ma.
.ional Democracy he umpired the
tt0NOuAoAt UOmlu6ClOQ In favor OF
Goebel. stumped the State in his ia
vor. and congratulated him on his
election when the poll proved his de-
feat. lis the party respons;blea"
To some extent. yes. A party is al.
ways responsible for that which 1t
indorses. And what higher indorse
mens is possible than a Presidential
aomineei
The Post is understood to be an
Administration paper, and therefore
galnst Mr.. Bryan. We publish the
above in order that our readers may
see how the other side will talk sbout
a. good man % Bryan when he
lays himself the least liable.
How much worse could they talk
about him if he was to endorse or
even seem to condone S,mmousism
and his mob rule aud redshirt anar-
chy in North Carolina?