The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1901-01-17
Bryan ana Cleveland.

Since the presidential election the
country has heard from both Mr. .Cleve-
and and Mr.. Bryan regarding the re-
Mobilization OF the democratic party.
Mr.. Cleveand's utteranees have excited
the ire and resentment Of Mr.. Bryan's
admirers; and Mr.. Bryan's utterances
have not been as soothing as syrup on
the temper Of those who admire Mr..
Cleveland. But there is no occasion
for anybody to get excited. These
two gentlemen are private citizens who
are entitled to write and speak until
they get black in the face if they find
any pleasure in this coloring process.
Their opinions are binding ON nobody
but themselves. No one has authoriz-
ed Mr.. Cleveland to reorganize the
democratic party; nor has Mr.. Bryan
been deputized to bring about its re-
habilitation. 1t seems to us that it is
about time that the democratic party
was assuming control of its own affairs.
Mr.. Cleveland is Of course entitled to
much credit for his services to his
country; but his official career is ended
and he is now merely private citizen
who for the last four years has occupied
hostile attitude toward his party.
Even his warmest admirers are aware
that he possessed few qualifications for
party leadership. AS party leader he
was a distinct failure. The democracy
is obligated to give no more considera-
ton to his views than those OF any 9TH
er individual democrat. He is neither
divine nor omniscient. He is not even
political archangel. He can, there.
fore, with entire propriety be turned
over to that select class of superior per-
sons who get their politics from the
magazines. And now as to Mr.. Bryan.
He has shown even less capacity fol-
leadership than Mr.. Cleveland. Per.
sonally Mr.. Bryan has had q much
stronger following than Mr.. Cleveland,
or, indeed, than almost any public
man. He has winning personality,
and people are charmed byit often into
a fervor Of devotion. But in the matter
of party leadership, he has been the
most disastrous failure since the days
of Greeley. Facts are facts. Mr.. Bry
an has been allowed to impose his will
upon the party for four years. Hi
personal opinions have been accepted
as party doctrine. He virtually wrot
every line of the Kansas City platform
some of it, indeed, against the iudg
ment of the wisest leaders in the party
No obstacle was placed in his way; We
in the last election the greatest plurali
ty was recorded against any candidat
since the republic was proclaimed. MI
Bryan may be great orator and mos
magnetic man; but his advice is no
sound, and his leadership is disastrous
1t therefore seems to us, that in til
general re-allignment, the party shoul
. seek other counsellors. Mr.. Bryan an
Mr.. Cleveland are at liberty to keep u
the debate and say unpleasant thing
about one another, If it pleases then
But the democratic party has otht
5 business to do. Neither of them ca
be accepted as the party dictator
B There must be consensus of opinio
among the wisest men in the party {
to the program for future action. Thel
is practical service to be rendered I'll
: country by democratic congressman
Q and it might he just as we'll to invit
4 both Cleveland and Bryan to take bac
: ats.-Commercial- Appeal.