The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-12
Who Will the Leader Bep

Lexington (ky.) Herald.
 It is mere balderdash to talk of Demo- cratic victory except upon the hypothesis of a cordial, united support of all Demo- crats upon the nominee in 1904; and he who continues to denounce either element of the party Is either a foolish ignora- mus or a selfish demagogue who has some personal interest in keeping the party in national minority but preserving majority of one or the other element In power in certain localities. In Kentucky the temptation Is to keep out of the party all who declined to support Bryan in 1896 and in 1900 so that those who did may fill all elective offices. Kentucky witnessed something like that when cer- tain stay-at-home Democrats and incom- petent Confederates united to ostracise all Kentuckians who were for the Union. and thereby obtain all offices for them selves. So today there is in Kentucky a considerable element In the party who want to ostracise afl who were not free silver Democrats. And in Kentucky these may be able to accomplish this-at the risk or certainty of securing national de- feat. But national defeat would not in- jure these leaders; they are not big enough for any other national position than Senator or Representative from Kentucky; and if they can get possession of all State, district, county and munich pal offices the national party can go to ''the demnition bowwows. The rank and file of the Kentucky Democracy sincerely and earnestly desire a fair, honest, united party, and would be glad to see the old divisions healed.
 In the Northern and Eastern States the same temptation is as great-but from the opposite side. There the temptation is to ostracise the free silver Democrats and keep them out of the organization; and thus the sound money Democrats get all nominations and in Democratic districts and municipalities secure the of- fees and patronage. And there are no leaders strong enough, broad, wise enough to put down the local leaders, and unite the party into a compact national party and lead 1t to espouse. declare and pledge itself to true Democratic prin- ciples and policies and enter the cam paign upon a Democratic platform under Democratic nominees.
 It may be that before 1904 such leader may be revealed or may be strong enough to assume authority and have the authority recognized. Tilden became leader in fact-not in name. He dictated the terms upon which he would be nomi- mated. He laid down the plan of cam paign before the convention of 1876 as- sembled and sent to that convention, in substance, the platform on which he would make the canvass.
 In 1884 MT. Cleveland was not chief by virtue of assumed leadership. He did not venture to usurp authority. He was standard bearer rather than commander in-chief. Today no leader has appeared; no one with the inherent power of nat ural leadership has shown himself Is there such an one within the ranks of the party? If so, who is he? Where Is he?
 If there be no leader. is there any one bearer? In 1S44, in 1852 the Democratic Party chose a standard -bearer-not commander-in-chief; but the party was united disciplined, compact and had the courage of It's convictions In both years 1t was indeed a national party in the highest and truest sense.