Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-11-10
MIR. BRYAN ON THE ELECTION.

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davis election, which is intended to serve
as bis comment on the result, and as an
answer to reports connecting him with
movement looking to the formation of
new party. Dir. Bryan said he would
not attempt to deny all the reports cir
culated as 10 his future political action,
but would let his statement serve to ex-
plain his position. He says;
"The democratic party has met with
an overwhelming defeat in the national
election. As yet the returns are not
sufficiently complete TO permit analysis,
rs it is impossible to say whether the
result is due to an actual increase In the
number OF republican voters or to a
falling off in the democratic vote. This
phase OF the subject will be dealt with
when the returns are all in. The ques-
tions for consideration at this time are,
What lesson does the election teach 7
and what of the future?
''The defeat of Judge Parker should
not be considered a personal one. he
did as we'll as he could under the cir
cumstances; he was the victim of unfa-
vorabIe conditions and Of mistaken
party policy.
ale grew in popularity as the cam
paign progressed, and expressed himself
more and more strongly upon the trust
question, but could not overcome the
heavy odds against him. The 81 called
conservative democrats charged the de-
feats Of 1896 and 1900 to the party's
position on the money question, and IN
sisted that victory could be won by
dropping the coinage question entirely.
The convention accepted this theory,
and the platform made no reference to
the money question, but Judge Parker
felt that it was his duty to announce his
personal adherence to the gold standard.
His gold telegram, as it was called.
while embarrassing to the democrats OF
the West and South, was applauded oy
the eastern press. He had the cordial
Endorsement of Mr.. Cleveland, who GER
tilted that the party had returned 10
safety and sanity He had the sup
bolted in 1896, aud he also had the aid
of nearly all of those who were proml-
nent in the campaigns of 1896 and 1900,
and yet his defeat is apparently greater
than the party suffered in either OF those
years.
lit is unquestionable also that Judge
Parker's defeat was not local, but gen.
eral. the returns from the eastern
States being as disappointing as the re-
turns from the West. The reorgan-
izers are in complete coutro! of the
party, they planned the campaign and
carried it according to their own views.
"Surely silver cannot be blamed for
this defeat, for the campaign was run
on a gold basis. Neither can the defeat
be charged to emphatic condemnation
of the trusts, for the trusts were not
assailed as vigorously this year as they
were four years ago. 1t is evident that
the campaign did not turn upon the
question of impe rialism, and it is not
iair to consider the result as personal
victory for the President, although his
administration was the subject of criti-
cism.
"The result was due to the fact that
the democratic party attempted to be
conservative in the presence of condl-
tions which demand radical remedies.
1t sounded a partial retreat when il
should have ordered charge all along
the line. In 1896 the line was drawn for
the first time during the present genera
ton between plutocracy aud democracy
and the party's stand on the side o.
democracy alienated large number o.
plutocratic democrats, who, in the ma
ture of things cannot be expected to re-
turn, and it drew to itself large number
of earnest advocates of reform whose at
tachment to these reforms is much strong
er than attachment to any party name
The republican party occupies the con
servative position. That is, 1t defends
those who, having secured unfair adyan
tages through class legislation, insis
that they shall not be disturbed, no mat
ter how oppressive their exsctions ma!
become.
"The.democrstic party cannot hope t
compete successfully with the republican
! party for this support. To win the sup
port of the plutocratic element of tn
country the party would have to becom
more platocratic than the republican
party and it could not do this without los
ing several times as many votes as thai
course would win. The democratic part.
has nothing to gain by cateringtoorgsnize'
and predatory wealth. 1t must not on'.
do without such support, but 1t cal
, strengthen itselfby inviting the open ant
emphatic opposition of these elements
"The campaign just closed shows tha
it isis inexpedent from the standpoin
Of policy as it is wrong from the stand
point of principle to attempt any con
!. Citation of the industrial and financia
despots who are gradually getting con
troll of all the avenues of wealth. Th
}. democratic party, if it hopes to viii
= success, must take the side OF the plail
common people.
"Tbe party must continue Its oPposI
t;on TO national banks of issue and mus
v insist upon divorcing the Treasury DE
partment from Wall street.
ssThe party must continue its hight 10
the popular election of Senator'S and 10
direct legislation wherever the PrinciPi
con he aoplied. 1t must not only main