The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-13
TUESDAY. DECEMBER 10, 1904
Mr.. Bryan on Democracy's Flu

Mr.. Bryan on Democracy's Flu
ture.
Last weeks Outlook contains a notable
article by. Mr.. ". ]. Bryan on the reor-
canization or the Democratic party.
throughout the whole discussion run the
moral phases of the political and economic
questions which come before the people
q for decision.
.'No proposition is better supported by
IS history than that righteousness enalted
Z nation,'S,. says Mr. Bryan, land it is
as true of a party as Of a nation.
Just In so far as an individual fol-
lows this doctrine he succeeds; there is
no other true measure of success
3If 1 were going to coin a new pro-
S verb to fit this, case, It would run like
\ this: Envy not the prosperity Of the evil
n doer 1t cannot last - The
2 man who transgresses the laws of nature
may escape punishment for q year or for
Il decade. but the relation between Cause
and effect. however extended, is not,
broken In the case of a nation, a cen
fury may elapse between the sowing of
the wind and the reaping OF the whirl-
wind, but the one follows the other.
Tariff reform and an income tax arc,
4 in Mr.. Bryans judgment, two steps
toward justice in taxation, which par
II take OF that spirit Of righteousness which
\ must ultimately triumph, and SO bel'cv-
ing he urges the Democratic party to
n boldly advocate them and take advantage
Of the growth III tho sentiment which will
4 inevitably como to their support.
Likewise, trusts md monopolies are to
him Fundamentally moral Issues. aside
from the economic injustice that the
trusts are doing, they are guilty Of an
other immortality in, that they are cor
A ruptinG the politics and debauchng not
only the voters who are bought, but the
representatives who are leo to betray
q their constituents iI'he Democratic par
ty should attack the principle OF private
monopoly whenever and wherever an
piled. 1t cannot hopo to succeed merely
by attacking some one trust. 1t must
4 attack them all. The Demo-
cratic party. no longer under the influ-
ence Of corporate wealth and no longer
/. subject 10 the dittntiun of those who
\ would concliiate the predatory classes, Is
81 in position TO make this issue sharp
and distinct, and to present the moral
phases Of the trust question.
Labor and injunctions come in for dis
Y cusslon, and In respect to these questions
n Mr.. Bryan says.
1.-THE writ of Injunction is now employ
n ed to coerce employees into accepting the
4 terms OF employers. It's purpose is to de-
\ priyc the laboring man Of trial by jury,
= and the Democrats have favored and still
4 must favor that which will deprive the
" courts of the power TO thus suspend jury
u trial; but a permanent arbitration board
4 would greatly lessen the number of strikes
q and thus mitigate the evils of government
Il 1g Injunction - Thou shalt love
z thy neighbor as thy self is a platform
(. upon which all ought to be able to stand,
4 and it presents the only solution OF the
question between those who toll and those
Ewho employ"
L The money question, while admittedly
Il not so acute as it was a few years ago,
Il is still for Mr.. Bryan only another phase
/: Of the struggle between the rich and poor,
" the creditor and debtor, the governing
y and governed. So great Il majority OF
Z lie voters of this country are owners OF
q wealth, be It little or much. that Mr.,
II Bryan's plea for dollar that Is not
g wanted by the holders Of fixed invest
n ments Will hardly be popular. But tho
ii same Is by no means certain of his pro-
Efcurrency. The military. naval and Philip
pine questions are treated from The same
standpoint. and Mr.. Bryan concludes:
The time Is ripe for an appeal to the
moral sense Of the nation; the time is
ripe for the arraignment OF lie pluto
Rty before the bar Of public conscience;
and the Democratic party was never IN a
better position, than now to make this
appeal III adversely has taught 1t 10 rest
ats case upon arguments addressed to the
head and heart OF The nation then great
good viii he extracted from the defeat.
grieyous defeat recently suffered"
1t Is not necessary to accept Air, Bry-
ian's premises on conclusions in order 10
feel the power Of his appeal 10 an ac-
Jlye, effective and localized spirit. wllose
guiding principles shall be justice, mercy
vnd truth. Also tho fact that Mr..
bryan possesses and understands those