Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-07-25
THE BRYAN REVOLT.


The failure of the Ohio Democrats,
10 their State CGnyention, to endorse
the Chicago aud Kansas City plat
forms. has awakened SPIRIT o. re-
belIion 10 the !ulIowora OF AIR. Bryan
in that 2tats and they arc nov FRO
pairing to call convention OF their own
for the purpose Of nominating seperate
ticket and endorsing principles which
were repudiated by the people IN the
last two national contests.
No one will question tho rightof Mr.
Bryan and his warmsst supporters to
SGT up'a ticket. or 10 even formulate
party of their own, in Ohio or any
other Stats in the Union. Mr. Bryan
Ia conecientious in his convictions and
can hardly DO expected TO abandon
principles which to him appears to be
for the best interests of the people.
Tho last Democratic National Ton.
vention complied with the wishes OF
Mr.. bryan by inserting free silver
plank in the platform OF the party, and
theu only by bare majority OF one
vote. Owing to the unsettled nondi.
tions OF the times and tho feeling of
unrest which were affecting large
portion of the American people, MIR.
Bryan was considered by majority OF
the members of the oony NJ the
most available candidate. 1t goes with
out saying that the party Mt that time
was in sorry condition and disrupted
state. The convention wantod Alr.
Bryan as Democratic candidate Tor
the Presidency. but did not want to
espouse some OF tho principles for
which Mr.. Bryan stood and which no
stoutly maintained should be inserted
in the platform in tho event OF his be-
ing the party's choice.
The desperate straits In which the
members OF the convention found them
selves compelled a surrender to Mr..
Bryan and to all that Bryanism i'm
Plies. They accepted everything that
Mr.. Bryan offered them, and rs conse.
queucs the party went down to the
overwhelming defeat that followed the
dictatorship of . single individual.
Mr.. Bryan was right In refusing 70
sacrifice his convictions. The oonyen
tion was wrong in Offering up myrrh
and incense to him.
The Reputation Of come OF the main
features in tho platforms OF the last
two Democratic Conversations, by the
people of the country, is sufficient in
itself to convince the dullest dotard
that success in the next national cam
paign awaits the Democratic party only
by a complete severance from princi-
pies which have proved themselves to
be but source of defeat and instru-
ments OF desti uction.
The bolt in Ohio 10 but forerunner
of what may be expected to take place
IN other States and in the next national
campaign. Mr.. Bryan is not the man
to surrender without struggle aud 1t
may be confidently expected thar he
will muster a considerable following.
The Bryan wing Of the party. and by
this 10 not meant those voters who sup
ported Mr.. Bryan on the ground OF
party regularity, unless every indica.
tion fails, will be party unto itself,
and the present inception of the move
ment in Ohio may be taken as the
initial step in the formation of new
party with MIR. Bryan as its leader.
1t is better that this il So The ideas
OF Mr.. Bryan, on some of tie more inn
portant pubiic questions have not met,
nor will they meet with, approval by a
majority of the American people. The
Democratic Party has everything to
gain aud NOTHING to lose in contest
with Mr.. Bryan. He has proved him
self to be so burdonsome that the party
IS unable to carry him with any posi-.
bility of success. his opposition may
work temporary injury, which can be
overcome by consistent adherence to
the doctrines OF Democracy as taught
by Jefferson, Madison and jackson.
Mr.. Bryan has thrown down the
gauntlet The people will accept the
challenge in the spirit in which it is
given. They win demonstrate that
principles heretofore repudiated by
them are to have no place in the con
troll of government affairs, that tine
party IS greater than the individual,
that the true test of supremacy will be
determined by the apl location of princi,
pies consistent With the ideas and sober
and calm judgment of the American
voter.