The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-18
DEMOCRACYS HOPE
A NEW PROPHET MUST COME oUV
OF THE WILDERNESS.
THINKS HENRY WATTERSoN.
STRONG MAN FROM STRONG STATE
NEEDED TO WIN THE FIGHT

Distinguished Kentucl1ian's Views
as to the Needs and Outlook of the
Democratic Party-Trhe Next PresI-
Dental Candidate LIKELY to he n
Man Not Now Thought of in That
Connection Opportunity win
Make the Leader-FOur Years a
Political GenerntiOn-Jn the SUM-"
hut Not So.
Hon. Henry Watterson, of Kentucky,
has some ideas on the subject of the next
Democratic candidate for President that
strike a new chord-it may even be the
note of victory. his belief is that some
new prophet must come out OF the will
derness if the Democratic hosts are to be
led to victory in 1904
1t was after Mr.. watterson's eloquent
lecture upon Lincoln, in the delivery of
which he had been the hero worshipper,
the student OF history and the analyst Of
character in turn. and all the time the
orator and the scholar, that he revealed
60 those who were fortunate enough to
be in his company some other sides of his
nature and some other attributes OF his
brilliant and attractive personality.
Hon. Fleming duBgnon greeted Mr..
watterson just after the lecture and was.
received with the warmth engendered OF
battles fought together in Democratic con-
ventions. Judge H. D. D. Twiggs, in
whose fathers home. near Augusta, Mr.
Watterson spent some time during the
war, was another who came TO pay his
respects Mr. Elmer N. Hancock, who
has known the distinguished Kentuckian
Tor q score of years. joined the party at
the De Soto. There were others who sat
within the ring that formed about MI
Wasterson and listened to his genial and
glowing conversation. A Morning News
reporter was in the circle
Mr.. watterson told story after story.
some OF which have been ascrfbed to him
ana which ne denied. They were good
stories. though bnd Mr.. Watterson
seemed to enjoy them as much as any-
one else. Occasionally the Morning News
man would get a chance to ask him
question as to politics and the hope of
fhe party. and his replies to these were
along the line indicated in the first para
greph of this article.
'Do you think HiH is to be the next
Democratic eaDdidate for Presideni?'' Mr..
Rattersou was asked.
Young man." was The solemn reply,
you might well ask me what will be
the state OF the crops in 1904 who will
be the winner OF that years Derby All
sorts Of things may and are likely TO
happen IN that space Of time. Mr.. Hin
may he dead Why four years is a po-
Ideal generation.
II think proba F1e Nfr
said ~that the next Democratic candidate
ssili be man whom none OF us in this
party has ever thought of in that oonnec-
ton
There * historical precedent for the
position. Two years before James X
Polk was nominated for the presidency
he was weak candidate for the vice
presidential nomination. Two years be-
fore Franklin Pierce was elected Presi-
dent he Was practically unknown. Two
wears before Tilden swept the country he
had no reputation outside the state of
New York where he had succeeded In
sniashing the Tweed ring: ne was a pri-
yate gentleman in Gramercy Park Two
years before Grover Cleveland was noni-
mated he was Mayor of the city of Buff
taloi nobody had heard of him Two
years before Lincoln was elected his
great campaign with Douglass had not
taken place and he had no repstation out
side Of Illinois"
AR Watterson did not say so, but IL
was evident that he thought there were
times when political reputation was not
an unmixed good. His next remark indi-
Gated as much.
I'm my opinion" he said. the hone Of
the party Is in the entrance into the fight
OF some new strong man. from some one
of the strong Northern states, like New
York, or Ohio or Illinois. He must be a
man who can dominate the party like
these giants of old and marshal its scat
tered forces in solid array. The time is
come when the party is looking for such
leader; opportunity is ripe the field is
ready. and believe such leader will be
furnished. Under such leadership / see
no reason why there should not be again
sucn great popular reaction against ex-
listing conditions as elected Tilden and
actually placed Cleveland in Office"
How about Bryan?"
We'll. Bryan is young man yet and a
strong man. He has il in his power to
do the party a great deal of good or a
great deal of harm 1t depends upon
himself-upcn the use he makes of his
power and his strength" Just what
course Mr.. Bryan should pursue, in order
10 do his party the greatest good, Mr..
Watterson declined to indicate
From the discussion of political princi-
pies. Mr.. Watterson drifted to the ex-
change of political "reminiscences with
MIR. duBignon and Judge Twiggs. Some
body asked him about the story the New
York Sun printed few days ago. This
is the story the Sun told:
What do you think of Hills Wash
ington boom for the presidency? the Hon.
Henry Watterson of the Blue Grass State
was asked last night at the Waldorf-As-
aoria.
'Hey?"
-'ttiifs boom for President, put out in
Washington the other day? replied the
Sun man"
Who's HIP" queried Mr.. watterson.
'lIill? Mr.. Hill of New York; David
Bennett HILL"
"Iiey?"
Mr. Hill. He is said TO be a prominent
light In the Democratic party"
What damn nonsense snapped Mr..
Watterson. "Some fellow down there has
been making a shooting gallery of his
mouth, and firing bird shot at that"
.''There isn't q word of truth in it,"
said Mr.. Watterson. There is not the
slightest or the faintest foundation for
the story. No such thing ever occurred,
nor anything like II. It's not only a he
hut Il Is a malicious lie. Those who know
me at all know ! am incapable of such
wanton discourtcsy
There's another story that is being
told about me that is equally without