The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-01

|
! Representative Lanham Of Texas, dur
ing consideration Of the Fortifications APP,
preparation bill in the House yesterday
delivered set speech upon the outlooi
and prospects OF the Democratic party
which was understood in the Hobbies &c
mark his formal entry into the contest for
the leadership OF the minority in the
| House. He took the ground that there
could be no reorganization of the party
as suggested by what he termed apostates
to it; that the party would never look
for its leaders among those who had not
chung to it throughout its vicissitudes, and
that the talk of shelving Mr.. Bryan was
premature and presumptuous. He was
entitled to the admiration and regard OF
his political associates and the considera-
| ton Of the whole American people" 1t
was unlikely that MIR. Bryan would ever
again aspire to the nomination for the
! Presidency, but if the party should con-
cluie that his services were necessary,
who would say it nay?
| MIR. Lanham said in part
i have waited patiently thus far for
| some one better qualified for the task TO
| discuss the conditions of cleavage which
! nave for the last few years existed in
| the Democratic party, and to enquire if
there be any possible common ground up
on which We can hereafter stand Is it
| hopeless that we shall ever reach an un-
! Outstanding and become reunited in flu
| ture purpose? Is the gulf between US
| impossible?
i snail. in my feeble way. attempt in
pacific spirit to diagnose the case and de-
| fine the extreme symptoms of the pre-
| vailinS antagonisms; to show unsparingly
| how many formerly affiliated, now aD-
! pear TO feel toward each other; TO state
in scne degree, the respective sides OF tn !,
| controN ersy, and seek to discover if
through mutual explanation and future
| aspiration there can come any concert
| out of existing discord.
| ITO those who know me It is unneces-
| sary for me to affirm that | am strict
| party man-that / have stayed, and ex-
| pect to continue to stay, with my party
| organization under all past and future
| circums ances. 1t will never announce
| platform in which | will not at least
| acquiesce. II 1t does not meet my appro-
! baton, it will not receive my opposition.
! whenever fairly and authoritatiyely de-
| termined by the appropriate jurisdiction
| ! am too old now, and my convictions are
| too well established, to ever be anything
| else than a Democrat. Ii is my priyi-
| iege, growing out of Unwavering fealty
| to my party. to consider its future we'll
| being and TO invite attention to its pres
| ent status and prospective course and
! policies. No man can justly charge ne
| with presumption if, as a loyal Democrat.
! ! in good faith venture any pertinent sug-
| gestlons, designed for the good of the
| political order Of which / claim to be
member in good standing. Others may be
wiser than | am no one is tTuer.
No Room for Apostates.
In formulating what seems to be the
attitude Of the great majority of Demo-
Gratis. it would. I think. be reasonably
safe to say that, in their opinion. some
what precipitate and abnormal solicitude
concerning the future of the Democratic
party seems to have taken possession of
some who were erstwhile in utilization
with its organization. but who have in
recent years not only manifested an IN
difference to its success, but have aided
in its defeat. They have laughed at its
calamity and so demeaned themselves a
to be charged with deserticn of its colors
in the midst of its battles They now step
f-rward and volunteer their criticisms ana
prefer their advice. They come with Off
cious and unsolicited counsel to tell what
ought not to have been done in the past
and what ought to be done in the future
In illustration of this. an old friend
CT mine and a former prominent Con-
gresham, who is and has long been per-
| sistent advocate Of the gold standard, said
| to me only a few Gays ago;
Such suggestions al this time from
! such sources are like the proverbial saaE-
ing Of the red flag
| They bear upon their bodies no wounds
| which they have received in conflict with
| the party's enemies. They are scarless
! ard smokcless and powderless and scent
I less Of strife. They were invisible when
| their presence and participation were
needed; but they are invineibie and
mighty men OF valOr if they shall now be
allowed to take control and shape the
policies and dictate the future conduct of
the party.
They do not propose 20 return, as did
| the prodigal Of old, with meekness. ard
! profess a willingness to be made hired
| servants but with unbridled audacity
'reaping where they have not sown and
| gathering where they have not strswn,'
| they want to head the procession and di-
| rect the proceedings. They do not feel
| that probation is in order in their case
| They must occupy the chief places in the
| political synagogue. and from their lofty
| position superintend the rank and file
| II is true that the lamp still holds cut 10
| burn but it is luminous to and for those
only who return with lowly, cont-ite
| hearts
1T does not seek to throw out its rays
| in search OF leaders among the apOstate
| II is perhaps well that it should once for
| all be understood that the Democratic
| party will only put on guard and place in
! authority those who have chung to 1t and
| stayed with It in all reports. Out OF six
| and one-half millions of men who have
not bowed the knee to Baal,' It is hardly
! to be supposed that all suitable material
| for leadership is wanting-or that 10 trus-
| tee can be found with sufficient ability and
! fidelity to execute the party's trust Let
us not despair. nor become dissatisfied
| with ourselves, nor hopeless for the future.
Reorganization Talk UntimcIy
"Al this talk OF reorganization. etc. is
puerile and untimely. Every suggestion OF
change in party name is inopportune and
| distasteful TO the faithful adherents Of De-
| mocracy. II is true the party has suffered
defeat, and this is fully realized and de-
| plored By its loyal membership and those
| Of other organizations who allied them
| selves with and did valiant service to up
| hold the cause of Democracy, but it is not
| the first time in the party's history that Its
enemies were victorious. II has more than
| once felt the humiliation of defeat but ii
I has seen triumph and vindication, and it
will see them again. 1t has witnessed the
.