The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-22

The Democratic brethren are having a
hard time getting together and reorganiz-
ing the party. They are all in favor of
harmony, but they cannot agree on terms.
They all want the lion and the lamb to lie
down together. but whether it shall be side
by side or the lamb inside of the lion
there's the rub. The latest PRONUNCIATION
on the subject is in the shape of a letter
from Richard L. Metcalfe, editor of Mr.
Bryan's old newspaper, the Omaha World
Herald, and close friend of Mr.. Bryan
to Norman E. Mack, editor of the Buffalo
Times. A recent issue of the Times con-
tanned an editorial in which it was argued
that it would be suicidal for the Demo-
cratic party to make a nomination that
would invite the hostility of either Mr..
Cleveland or Mr. Bryan and their follow
ers, and that the friends of both should
eliminate their individual preferences and
join hands for the good of the party. To
this Editor Metcalfe replies that it is all
right to ask Democrats to eliminate indi-
vidual preferences as to candidates, but he
wants to know what is to become of the
Kansas City platform and whether, in or
der not to incur the hostility of Mr.. Cleve-
land and his followers, the party must
nominate some man who did not support
the ticket in 1896 or in 1900. Here are some
of the bristling questions he puts:
What would you have Democrats do in
the construction of their platform in order
to avoid mourning the hostility Of Mr..
Cleveland and his followers?
How many of the principles and the pol
icies in which we believe must we surren-
der in order to avoid mourning the hostility
Of Mr.. Cleveland and his followers?
Do you think that Democratic plat
form that failed to make explicit reference
to the money question could command the
respect either of bimetalists or of single
gold standard advocates?
Shall the Democrats abandon their posi-
ton the Philippine question, wherein
they promised not to make the Fiipinos
either citizens or subjects and favored a
declaration of the Nations purpose to give
these people. first, stable form of gov
eminent second, independence, and, third
protection from outside interference?
What change would you make in the
Democratic platform with respect to
trusts?
What alteration would you make in the
plank relating to national bank currency?
Would you declare in favor of the income
tax?
The question, then, is how many of their
principles must Democrats surrender, per-
manently or temporarily, in order to avert
|
two presidential campaigns deserted the
party with which they claimed allegiance
and gave open and boastful aid to the
enemy?
On the day after these questions were
sent Editor Metcalfe published an editorial
serving notice that If the so-called reorgan-
izers in the Democratic party obtain con-
troll the Bryan wing will support Mr..
Roosevelt in the next campaign. This ed-
torial is believed to have had Mr. Bryan's
approval and to contain his ultmatum. AS
Mr.. Roosevelt hates Organism and all the
hereses of the Kansas City platform even
| more intensely than Mr.. Cleveland does.
the threat of the Bryanites to support him
in case they are compelled to choose be-
tween him and a Democrat of the Cleve-
land wing shows that the probability of
getting the two wings to flop together is
very remote.
1t is expected that before replying to
| Editor Metcalfe's letter Editor Mack will
| consult with the Cleveland leaders in New
York and that his reply will contain their
ultimatum Meanwhile the Brooklyn Eagle.
which is booming Mr.. Cleveland every day,
affects to sympathize with Mr.. Roosevelt
on the alarming prospect of his receiving
| the support of the Bryanites next year. 1t
says the main body of Bryan's followers in
1896 and 1900 would not get any further.
away from true Democratic principles if
| they support Mr.. Roosevelt in 1904 than
| they did in 1896 and in 1900. The Eagle
| adds:
We are not entirely certain that the pres
| ent friends OF Mr.. Roosevelt will relish the
idea of these reinforcements, but that is
|! their concern and their case. A man was
| once told that milk punches and lobster
salads. which he was together taking in
| large quantities, would not agree with one
| another. His reply was: That is none of
my business. l have brought them to-
| gether. and IL they cannot get along with
| one another they will have to take the
| consequences" If the discussion in favor
of the return of the Democratic party TO
Democratic principles and to Democra tic
| leadership should have the effect OF bring
| ing the Republicanism OF Roosevelt and
| the Populism OF Mr.. Bryan together i'm 1904
| or at any other time. the question of their
| ability TO get along with one another womb
| be their concern and the concern of-or at
| least the solicitude-of no others.
The New York World Is even more out
spoken. 1t tells Editor Metcalfe that re-