The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-28
BRYAN's POPULARIrY INCREASING.

1t is evident from the size of the crowds
which gather to see Mr.. Bryan and the
applause with which his speeches are re-
ceived that he is a great deal more popu-
lar in the East than he was in 1896. 1t
may be that this change of feeling towards
him is due to the ability he has shown in
maintaining his position at the head of
his party during the years that have
passed since he was defeated for the pres
idency rather than to an increase in the
number of those who accept his views on
the silver question. His unwavering adj
herence to his convictions and his success
in dominating his party compel admiration
and respect Whether they will greatly
increase the number of votes he will re-
ceive in the event he is his party's can
didate for President is a question which
cannot be answer ed al this time with any
degree of satisfaction.
1t is evident that the gold Democrats of
the East would gladly support him for the
nomination, and after his nominat ton if
he would abandon his is to l idea The
Democratic newspapers of that section and
some of the leaders of the gold Democrats
diG III SINS MN ~ put tSlIN SllNGl dS ali
issue for four years, telling him that if
he viii do so he will have the support OF
united party and will stand an excellent
chance of being the next President. Even
Bourke Cochran says that he will accept
the Chicago platform If the silver plank is
dropped out of it, and he Is representative
of a large majority of the gold Democrats.
Mr. Bryan, however, is not going to ac-
cept the advice of Eastern Democrats. He
knows that they speak from the standpoint
of New York. They do not know the
sentiment of Democrats throughout the
the country as well as he knows it, If
he should abandon silver it is doubtful If
he could get the nomination for President.
The Populists and the silver Republicans
would abandon him, and the feeling among
Democrats towards him would not be so
enthusiastic as it is now. If he should
consent even to drop the silver question
from his speeches ne would lose his hold
on his party, and the chances are he would
not receive the nomination for President.
1t is probable that he does not expect
to carry New York in the event of his
nomination 1t is doubtful If he places
| much confidence IN the profession or
| friendship by Tammany for him. Tammany
was against him in 1896 and while Mr.
| Croker has said that he is now for him
| it seems to be understood that what Tam
many wants is a harmonious party and
not Mr.. Bryan. Mr.. Croker has accepted
! Mr.. Bryan with the hope of uniting the
Democratic party in New York. Tam
manys chief purpose is to maintain abso-
lutte control in the city of New York
| Tammany would drop Mr.. Bryan at once If
there was another candidate who possessed
greater power to bring the factions of
| New York Democrats together.
1t may be true, as some of the Demo-
cratic leaders of New York point out, that
if Mr.. Bryan should sde-track silver the
protest from the South and West would not
be of a character to cause apprehension
of a spit in the party, but confidence in
| Mr. Bryan as a header would be lost. There
would be very little enthusiasm in a cam
| paign under his leadership; and the Popu-
list and silver Republicans would not sup
| port the Democratic ticket. Mr.. Bryan is
wise in not accepting the advice of those
| Democratic leaders of the East who are
urging him to side-track silver until 1904