The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-05-04

basic principles Of the republic Of
Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln.
lRYAN'S PRESENT ATTITUDE.
1t is well known that William J.
Bryan in The Commoner was opposed
to the candidacy Of the gold Democrat
of the Cleveland persuasion who was
nominated for mayor Of st. Louis, and
whose election is now being contested
by his Republican opponent on the
ground Of illegal voting. The censori-
GUS organs Of the plutocracy, both Re-
publican and Democratic, have ex-
pressed surprise that citizen of Ne
braska, as Mr.. Bryan is, should have
anything to say on municipal contests
in other states, and intimated that
1.-The boy orator of the Platte" as he
was called in his juvenile days, was
disgruntled over his own defeat for
the presidency and was bent on per-
petuating discord and disunion in the
ranks Of the Democratic party.
Everyone will admit that there is
not man in the United States who
knows more Of the character of indi-
vidual Democrats Of prominence in
every section of the country than Will
liam J. Bryan. He certainly knew the
manner of man that Wells Of st. Louis
is, and as Il newspaper editor of ma
tional renown he had right to en-
press his opinion of him as he thought
fit. After Wells nomination, Mr.. Bry-
an ceased his opposition to him.
though it was apparent from his COM
ments that he did not care straw
whether Il simon-pure Republican or a
nominal Democrat was elected mayor
Of the Mound City. Not word did
William ]. Bryan say against, any 9TH
err candidate on the same ticket with
Wells. He had good and sufficient rea-
sons for opposing that pseudo Demo-
crat and has no apology to render to
his critics.
In last weeks issue of The Com
moner, Mr.. Bryan devotes some space
concerning himself in reply to the
Springfield Republican, which remark
ed that "it is probable that Mr.. BRYAN
has no expectation of being nominated
again, but doubtless he intends to have
something to say as to who shall be
nnrninntn1 nd tn fho al, I,
next convention shall adopt" This re-
mark elected the following confession
from Mr.. Bryan:
II am not planning for another presi-
dental nomination-if were 1 would
not be editing paper; if 1 ever be-
come candidate again it will be be-
cause 1t seems necessary for the adj
vancement Of the principles to which
1 adhere, and that does not seem prob
able. I shall, however, take an inter
est in politics for several years yet, if 1
live, and can be relied upon to support
those who as candidates advocate dem
ocratic principles, and who can be
trusted to enforce them if elected
II have no enemies to punish. No
matter what man may have said or
done against the ticket in 1896 or in
, 1900. that man becomes my friend the
moment he accepts democratic prin-
ciples. Neither have any disposition
to reward political friends at the ex-
pense of our cause. No matter what a
man may have said or done for the
ticket in 1896 or in 1900, that man be-
comes an opponent the moment he
turns against democratic principles.
Political battles are fought, not in the
past or In the future, but in the pres
ent. The heretofore cannot he recalled,
and the hereafter cannot be anticipat-
ed, but the NOW is all important.
II shall say whatever I think ought
to be said, and shall write whatever l
think ought to be written. This course
may not be popular, but I trust that
it will aid in the restoration of Jeffer-
sonian principles"
1t is too early to say who shall be
the strongest man for the Democracy
to nominate for the presidency in 1904.
! 1t may be William J. Bryan, David B.
Hill, Tom L. johnson, or some dark
horse" whose name has never been
mentioned. Whoever he may be he
must be Democrat and not pluto
crat or an imperialist. Strange things
may happen during the next four
years. The people may be goaded to
desperation by the pirates who now
guide the ship of state. and in their
wrath they may turn the rascals out
and make this "a government of the
people, by the people and for the peo-
pie" as it was intended to be by the
fathers of the republic. 81
In the future as in the past William
j. Bryan can be relied on to do his
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