The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-05-18
Mr.. BRYAN and MI. Cleveland.

The interview with William Jen-
nings Bryan over the Cleveland third
term talk is interesting, principally
as II throws more light upon Mr..
Bryan's own attitude in the party.
An undoubtable majority of the
regular democrats of the nation will
agree with Mr.. Bryan that Mr.. Cleve-
land is in nowise ali acceptable per
son to consider as the presidential
nominee of the democracy next year.
or any year hereafter. None OF the
true blue party men are disposed to
ignore Mr.. CleYeland'S atutCde III the
campaigns of 1896 and 1900. They
believe their own integrity as mem
bers of the party would become self
impeached by the adoption OF Mr.
Cleveland as the party's national
leader They are perfectly willing TO
see him reenter the rank and be the
leader of his followers In fresh and
loyal service for the party; but to
change back TO Clevelandism, with
out any evidence of change III MT.
Cleveland'S attitude as to party oDil-
cations and allegiance would involve
a confession of error on their own
parts that no one of the party men OF
1896 and 1900 is prepared TO make
Even in the matter of the civil war
for instance. the men of the south
have for forty years steadily refused
to confess that they were rebels and
traitors to the union which they
fought four years TO disestablish
Thousands of them are always free
to admit that better way than war
might have been found TO settle the
issues involved in that war and that
il is better. after all, that the war
ended as II did. and that they love
the union Of today as Loyalty as any
other section of the cation possibly
Can-but tuey will never admit that
they did not act in the emergency of
1861 as they honestly believed they
had the right and were in duty bound
to act And the nation at large is
coming, in the truer perspective of
history to admit that the men of the
south fought for honest convictions
and not to nerpetrate a crime.
In like manner it is possible for the
democratic voters Of $40 and 1900 10
say that subsequent events have
charged the seeming II 2essities of
those years and that some of the is
sues o. those campaigns are not
paramount ana compelling now. In
deed. the party Morally occupies
that position now and il can be as
truly said of Mr. Bryan what he has
Just said OF Nj Cleveland. that his
best friends would not dare TO pre-
sent him for the party nomination in
1904"
The first premise Of the democratic
campaign for 1904 must be the abso
lutte unavaiability OF both Cleveland
and Bryan They have served their
opportunities and the goo or ill of
their activities have boon charged
upon the party ledger 10 the account
of profit and loss. IAeir accounts as
candidates for the presidency are
closed and balanced.
Their great possibilities for useful
ness in the party however. are not
exhausted Mir BRYAN still retains q
strong hold upon the confidence and
respect of the democratic masses.
Those who voted for him have no dis
position TO whine over results or
say they are sorry they followed him
as the party's leader With those men
he can be the commander of the Tenth
Legion of the democracy and lead
them within the party with 4 fresh
enthusiasm for vital issues and q ma
tional triumph. Mr. Cleveland has the
cordial, personal and political devotion
of enough democrats 10 make his
voice powerful, either to induce vic
tory or produce defeat
Therefore, if both these eminent
men will turn resolutely from the
divisions Of the past and cooperate
TO secure a unified and potential party
they will crown their loyalty with
later and better laurels than they have
ever won and contribute effectually
TO the redemption Of the nation from
the control Of the dislOyal, imperial
istic and degenerated republican