Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-05
NEW YoRK ROBUSTNESS.
Plans to Turn Down Bryan I'm Ne
braska Convention.
Detroit Free Press gold dem.)

braska Convention.
Detroit Free Press gold dem.)
What appears to be an authoritative
statement appeared in yesterdays issue OF
the Brooklyn Eagle giving the details OF
a plan formulated by eastern democrats TO
crush Mr.. Bryan's influence in his own
state and prevent at all costs his control
OF the Nebraska delegation to the next
democratic national convention" In the
language of the Eagle, 1.-THE brightest men
in the party have decided to throw MIN
out without more ado"
with all due respect to the brightest
men in his party" 1t would be difficult
to conceive of a political policy established
on a basis Of more magnificent asininity.
The undertaking is so masterfully foolish
that one can readily believe It originated
in New York and has the heartiest sup
port Of the New York politicians. 1t is not
necessary that a scheme of that kind should
bear a trade mark. The workmanship is
unmistakable. The Free Press has as little
admiration for Mr.. Bryan's economic theo-
ries as anybody, but 1t believes that the
democrats Of Nebraska are capable OF de-
Gliding for themselves who shall be their
leader. They are not in need Of assist
ance from New York, and such assistance
can take practical form only in a corrup-
ton fund for the debauching Of Nebraska
conventions. We can conceive Of no other
aid that New York is capable Of rendering
to the democrats Of any state.
II the east has the sense to let the Bryan
problem alone 1t would soon solve itself.
Mr.. Bryan's influence over his party has
been steadily decreasing. Mr.. Bryan him
self is slowly modifying his extremist
- - - l. 1a--Np. hnhNnd ranaf nf
his fellow democrats, and his power is
rapidly waning. II he were let alone he
would eventually find his level in the coun-
ellis of the party. But II New York pur-
poses to control the local politics Of Ne
braska, Mr.. Bryan will soon cease to be a
fading ember. He and all that he has ever
represented In national politics will be
famed into fire again. Democrats that
have no sympathy with the Bryan pro-
paganda will be driven to his support In
sheer defiance OF New York's impudent
and mercenary meddling.
1t may be possible to keep Mr.. Bryan out
of the next democratic national convention
but the victory will prove TO have been
| dearly bought. General Joseph f. Johnston
said Of the battle OF Bull Run that, The
| confederate army was more demoralized
by victory than that OF the United States by
defeat" A similar condition Of AFFAIRS is
likely to exist in the democratic party II
the New York politicians begin to Interfere
In Nebraska affairs. They may succeed In
defeating Mr.. Bryan, but they will rally
around him hundreds OF thousands OF voters
who unreservedly prefer Bryan leadership
with all It means to Wall street dlctation'
Eastern interference in Nebraska politics
will 90 far toward convincing the average
voter hat Mr.. Bryan was eternally right
in refusing to enter into a truce with the
New York leaders Of the party.
II the New York democrats retain q
glimmer Of common sense, they will teal
up their plans, and let Nebraska alone. II
the democrats Of the country have fully re-
covered from the fever OF free silver-as
we believe they have-Mr. Bryan's pres
ence in the 1904 convention is not likely
10 work any injury to the party, but his
absence as a result of Wall street interior
ence will be eloquent in his cause beyond
the power OF words.