The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-07-08
Friday July 8, 1904.
THE DOG IN THE MANGER.

A special to the Raleigh Cost from
81. Louis gives an account of an inter-
view with Mr.. Bryan by a number OF
delegates to the convention headed by
ColoLel Robert L. Holt, of this state.
Mr. Holt was spokesman. The party
or delegates called D. Mr.. Bryan to
n out how he stoo1-whether he
would abide by the nomination of the
convention, no matter WHIP the success
ful candidate might be. Mr.. Bryan, of
course, declined TO declare himself, and
MIR. Holt gave him a pretty heavy rap
for his duplicity. The Posts specia!
gives this account Of the Interview:
William J. Bryan Will bolt the ticket
in all probability. This facr Was deval-
oped in a rather dramatic manner as
h result OF an interview this afternoon
at the Jefferson hotel, between the Ne
braskan and Col. Robert l.. Holt, three
other members Of tne North Carolina
delegation and delegates from Illinois,
Texas, West Virginia, Indian Terrific
ry and Oklahoma. h delegation,
which was a very representative one,
called at Mr.. Bryan's headquarters.
The former leader OF democracy was
most cordial After pleasant words
were exchanged, Col. Holt. VINO was
SAAOG0lA SS AAA%NA AL0
cation. He first referred 10 the fact
that he and all his companions had sup
ported him, and then pTinL blank asked
If ne would support the nomination OF
the convention. Will You support
Roosevelt" was the somewhat spirited
answer of the rear;ess. Il consider
that an insult" Indignantly replie1
Col. Holt. Il intend" he conIinued
Ito apologize - the democracy OF
North Carolina Cor ever having voted
For you" The entire delegation with
drew, and to a man they toll Col. Holt
that they were with him.
Prior to the interview other North
Carolinians had called On Mr.. Bryan
to find out from him personally
and directly how he stood. Mr..
BryaI's reply to these men was more
~evasive, or rather showed more clearly
his intention not to be bound by the ac-
ton Of the convention # it did rot suit
him, than what he said to Mr. Holt
and bis associates What occurred on
this visit of the North Carojinians TO
Mr.. Bryan's headquarters is thus told
by The Post:
Prior to his interview M"sSrs. Tay-
lor and Powell of the North Carolina
delegation were pres mi when Col. Bry-
an was asked if he would bolt. To
this query Col. Bryan replied placing
his kand over his heart: Il do not ask
any person or N party how L snail
vote, and l viii consult ttis alone.
To the same question in another form
from MI. Powell of E~dgecombe, Gel.
Bryan said, You must wait till the
convention IS over and / have read the
platform 1t looks like Bryan is head
ed for The populist party direct.
1t is perfectly plain that Mr.. Bryan
is playing the dog in the democratic
anger. He cannot get the nomination
himself. He should know this. He Is
unwilling for any other man to get IL
who stands a ghost of a. chance to be
elected. Mr.. Bryan and Organism de-
feated the party in two presidential
elections, and he does not want to see
the party succeed with a candidate
from the other faction of the party and
c Ia platform differing materially from
tie principles on which he
his two campaigns. Victory under
such circumstances would prove con-
clusively that it was not the strength
of the republican party which defeated
him in 1896 and 1900, but the weakness
of the democratic candidate and the
fear on the part of the people of the
principles on which he made his CAM
paign.
We honestly believe that were the
democrats to nominate Parker, Ceve-
land, Olney, German, or any other man
of that class Mr.. Bryan would prefer to
see Mr.. Rosevelt's election TO the sue
cess of the democratic ticket. Nor do
we believe that Mr.. Bryan is anxious
to have Mr.. Hearst nominated and
elected unless he is assured of such a
position in the cabinet and councils of
the government as will make him
master Of the situation. Mr.. Bryan
is for Mr.. Bryan and for no one else.
His conduct throughout this whole
contest has shown this.