The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-04-07

lieved to be uncOmm1tted. Tne al
tempt to straddle was very din
cult feat and the effort cannot be said
to be a bowling success. Taggar'
thought something should be done to
counterfeit the possible results OF the
visit Of Hearst's friends, SO he has
Kern advising democrats not to al
low themselves to be carried on their
feet by sensational articles etc. He
declares that Indiana democrats need
no assistance from democrats living IN
other states" and that they ARE like
ly to resent any such impertinent IN
reference" etc.
It is impossible to aim gun 10
"kill If a deer" and miss If a calf.
Kern encountered a similar difficulty
in his condemnation of the visit oil
Johnson and Walsh. The criticism ap-
plies to Bryan just as well as to them.
The fact is that if Johnson and Walsh
deserve the rebuke then still more does
Mr.. Bryan deserve it. When Taggart
got possession of the interview he did
not mince matters, but head-lined II
over the picture of Kern, "Resents in
vasion foreign influences"
Kern says he is personally &C
uuainted with Parker. What does ne
know about Parker's views? II ne
knows anything he does not say. he
is very sure he is loyal to party. Whe-
Their this can be set down to his credit
or charged against him as reproach
can only be determined when his real
convictions are known. II in 1886 and
1900 he supported the party when he
disbelieved the principles for which
it stood before the country he sacri-
feed loyalty TO principle to party 10y
atty and deserves the condemnation Of
every honest man In every party.
What are his convictions? What does
he stand for? Who knows? Does Hill
and the New York money interests
know? Does any one believe that Hill
would be for Parker If he thought he
was a sincere believer in the Chicago
and Kansas City platforms? The
Brooklyn Eagle was for Cleveland
first. Parker is it's second choice. Is
anybody silly enough to believe that
the Eagle would select Parker as the
second choice to Cleveland If it did not
believe Parker's views to be substan-
TALLY the same as CIeyeland's? It is
as clear as the sun that this Indiana
and New York combination, that
Kern's interview is intended to as
sist, is another effort OF the New York
financial interests to deceive the peO-
pie. slts ~ ~
Z = y -
The burden laid on Kern's ability to
stand by the last two platforms and
yet be in harmony with his reorgan-,
izing friends is very heavy. He at
tempts this difficult task by saying
that Indiana democrats "are still In
favor Of every principle declared in
the national platform that is applica-
bic to existing issues and will be III
favor of so declaring in the next ma
tional platform. What miserable
at lodging is the qualification
that Is applicable to existing issues. :
What declaration OF principle Is
there in the Kansas City platform that
Is not applicable to existing issues?"
What are the existing issues any way?
What difference is there between the
questions of 1900 and the questions
that are in existence now? The most
pronounced reorganizer in the state,
who desires to get rid of the financial
question, could not express himself
with more premeditated uncertainty.
Great Importance is given to party
loyalty. Not one word Is said about
loyalty to convictions, loyalty to COR
rect principles, loyalty to the pubic
interests or loyalty to country. 1t is
all party. Nothing but party. He
pledges himself to allow his party
convention to determine what his per-
sonal convictions shall be. There are
some things that can be submitted TO
the will of the majority, but convic-
tons of what Is right and true ana
just cannot be surrendered at all with
out debauchery of conscience. NO
good reason can be given, no possible
compulsion can be an excuse for
man remaining In and supporting
party when Its declaration and its
acts are not In accordance with his
ideas and convictions of what Ia right.
Party loyalty is the disgrace OF Ameri-
can politics. 1t is an excuse for politi-
cal immortality IL is the refuge or
al .ltvhannntxr -. ~