The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-03-11
Two Democrats.

'e.iNoS pooA colo VI lily property, anu lilo
individual follows suit.
Two Democrats.
Senator German, as chairman Of the
democratic senatorial caucus at Wash
ington, addressed number of the demo-
cratic senators yesterday on the poiti-
cal situation, his keynote being demo-
cratic harmony in the senate and general
party unity throughout the country. At
Detroit, yesterday, the self CONSTITUTED
director general of the democratic party.
Colonel William j. Bryan, addressed the
democratic state judicial convention of
Michigan in one of his choice and elo-
quent speeches upon the necessity of
democratic harmony and adhesion to
democratic principles. : Both these gen
tlemen were quite sure that what the
democratic party needs is harmony.
They have, however, different ideas
as to what the thing they call democratic
harmony is. Bryan Illuminated against
corporate combinations and corporation
own record as "a statesman with valuable
service for the sugar trust. and led the
campaign for preferential action favor
ing the trust during the Cleveland admin
istration, when the Wilson tariff bill was
under consideration in the senate. Cor.
mans efficient aid to the sugar trust in
the manipulation of the sugar schedules
Of the Wilson tariff largely prompted
Cleveland to- write that incandescently hot
letter. in which he characterized the
democratic tariff law as the very essence
of perfdy and dishonor. .,, . j.. =
Bryan, in his speech, denounced an
opportunist policy. I'VE must not work
on the principle Of expediency," he says.
That policy he has consistently carried
out, but it is kind of consistency which
has led him to proclaim the principles Of
the Chicago. and Kansas City platforms,
changeless "Jeffersonian principles and
seek to cram them down the tl1roats' OF,
democrats who know better, so driving
from the ranks of his supporters the*bulk
of the brains and the experience of the
party and substituting for that element
chiefly the champions of exploded theories.
Bryan, as democratic leader and dicta-
tor, has done more than any man in the
history Of the party to destroy public
confidence in 1T, and the serious question
before the party leaders is how to estab-
lish itself in the confidence of the people,
The party labors under tremendous
disadvantage in this regard. Enlarging
upon republican failures of duty, will not
help it. -, d"
And yet Bryan is debating to the party
that he will not permit any man to be
nominated at the democratic national
nominating convention next year who
does not conscientiously indorse and adj
vocate the Chicago and Kansas City plat
forms.
On the other hand, German, elevated to
| a position in party direction in the senate
which gives him the choice of the senate
democratic steering committee has in view
| the elimination of Missouri's new senator,
Stone, from any party control and pro-
poses to head off Stone from any chance
man Of the national democratic committee,
position which Stone covets, and Stone
and Bryan are friendly. German, mean
time, is credited with the purpose of con-
trolling the national committee, if posi-
BILE, and there is little doubt that both he
and the veteran wire-worker, Stone. have
aspirations for the presidential nomina-
ton next year.
In chrysalis state are the Parker and
Olney booms, and the anti-Olney element
will, no doubt, try to injure him with the
labor element because he, as attorney
general, and in obedience to the laws, is
sued the order to the federal troops to
clear the way for the passage of mails
and interstate traffic on the occasion of
the Debs' blockade of both in the summer
of 1894 at Chicago.
The southern democrats appear to, be
whooping up solidity against Roosevelt
next year on the ground Of an alleged
negro equality propa ganda, as baseless as
the alleged Roosevelt Caesarism, and they
will attach themselves to anybody whom
they think can win democratic victory.
1t must be admitted that the. democratic
record has not been improved by their
activities in the late congress. During the
past forty-two years the democratic party
has held the presidency but eight years
and, during most of that eight years
either the senate or the house was helc
by the opposition. This fact indicates {
lack Of national confidence in the party
notably because of it's financial and econ
omic vagaries SO warmly defended during
the last decade. Co..
Just watch the Babcock. majority tyins