The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1902-07-24
Democratic Harmony.


The recent meeting of the leading
lights in the democratic party, who as
sembled to do honor to the memory of
Samuel J. Tilden, was intended to be a
harmony meeting, but the success
achieved in this direction does not seem
to have been great. The prominence
taken by ex-President Cleveland and
the speech which he delivered on the
occasion seem to have infamed the an
ger of good many democrats who are
saying ugly things about the sage of
Buzzards' Bay. The coming meeting
of democrats, to be held in Boston on
the Gath instant, gives much greater
promise. Neither Bryan nor Carmack
attended the Tilden meeting. Both of
these gentlemen will attend the Boston
meeting and deliver addresses. This
is the home of Richard Olney, be it re.
membered, and on the occasion Rich
ard himself will be himself again.
There is much significance in this
coming meeting, and it is calculated
not only to bring about democratic
harmony and restore good feeling in
the party, but it may be the means of
giving life and force to the Olney boom.
Unless something is done the trend of
things will lead in the direction of Sen
ator Hills nomination by the next dem
ocratic convention, and Senator Hill is
seriously objected to by Mr.. Bryan and
his friends. There is less objection to
Olney, and the fact that Mr.. Bryan is
going to visit Boston and break bread
with him indicates an approachment
very much like friendship. Mr.. Olney
may not be Mr.. Bryan's ideal candi-
date, but he is the most available man
that can be found to defeat the aspira.
tions OF the discreet gentleman from
Wolfert's Roost.
Should Mr.. Bryan conclude to sup
port Olney that gentleman's nomina-
ton will be practically assured. Mr..
Bryan can never be the nominee of the
party again, and it is not probable that
he wishes to be, but those who fancy
that he will not be powerful factor in
the councils of the democratic party
commit serious error. He will be
seen and heard and listened to with at
tention for many years to come, and he
will be more powerful as private in
the ranks than he would be were he to
attempt to grasp the reins of leadership.
! 1t is we'll known that Cleveland IA
vors the nomination of Olney, and with
Cleveland and Bryan making common
fight for the Boston man, Hills chances
would be less than nothing. Moreover,
the nomination of Olney would mean q
democratic victory. Itwould mean the
abandonment of false and exploded is
sues and the construction of platform
upon which the candidates can stand
and confidently appeal to the country.
| Olney has the confidence of the east
and would poll full vote. He would
be supported by the business interests
Of the country, the same as Cleveland
was supported by them. It is quite
evident that Roosevelt will compel his
party to nominate him. He has coutro
of the politicians and office holders, and
his ambition is to succeed himself. But
the masses do not like Roosevelt. The
leading republicans are tired of him
and are out of patience with his meth
DDS. They look upon him as a danger
GUS man, one who is liable to get the
country into trouble at any time through
his abrupt and headlong way of doing
things. These enormous interests
while usually voting the republican
ticket, have really no politics. The
American dollar is in no way partisan
and it will not support the side which
promises it the most advantage and the
the greatest prospects of tranquility
Thousands of normal republicans would
vote for Olney in preference to voting
for Roosevelt, and it is more than prob.
able that he would carry New York by
good majority.
OF course the south will vote the
democratic ticket, no matter who is
named as candidate, and with harmo-
ny in the party, and with the sins and
mistakes of the republican party thor.
oughly aired and presented to the coun.
try, there is no reason why the demo
Gratis should not carry the day.
It will be interesting to read the
speeches delivered at the Boston meet.
ing. From them we will learn definite
ly what is now only matter of specu-
lation. The meeting promises to be d
real harmony meeting, and while Hill