The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-07-12
AN INTERESTING FARCE.

AN iU TERES TING FARCE.
Thoughtful Americans are not &C
customed to looking to Mr.. Bryan and
Senator ''PitchforkH Tillman for any
conspicuouslv illuminating degree of
political wisdom, but with regard TO
the Democratic: National Convention
it seems that they know their party
far better than the multitude does.
On the eve of the assem- bling at ST.
Louis. Mr.. Bryan predicted that a
campaign with Parker as the candi-
date would begin with foot race and
end with a rout, and when the con
vention was in the throes Of the strug:
gle with the Parker telegram concern
ing the omission of a gold standard
plank from the platform, Mr. Tilln1an
observed with that curt felicity that
distinguishes his remarks that the
Democratic party can always be re
lied on to make a d-fool of itself
al the critical time
These views of two experts will be
confirmed by the opinions Of a vast
majority of their countrymen. That
Of the South Carolina Senator applied
to the subject Immediately under con-
sideration, while the prophecy of the
Nebraska wizard was advanced far on
the road to realization by the subse-
quent dOings of the convention. Sure
ly even Mr.. Tillman's fervid concep-
ton OF the situation as it existed at
the moment he spoke was surpassed
by what followed when Mr.. Sheehan
undertook to satisfy Judge Parker
that the candidate could stand on the
platform. notwithstandin the widely
adopted the assurance to its nominee
after Mr.. Bryan had vainly. attempt
ed to amend it in such fashion as to
pin Parker down to promise to IA
vor no legislation to strengthen the
gold basis. Then the curtain was
runs down on the farce by the nomi-
nation of ex-senator Davis for second
place on this wonderful ticket
Mr.. Tillman's vehement language
was not sufficient to prevent the fool
cry from being carried to the finish.
The Nation has before it the amusing
conjunction OF a candidate who says
he is gold. standard man planted up
on a platform out of which the gold
SjduudTu pIduk Was huOCheQ at the
command of the element most firmly
opposed to it. Judge Parker is per-
sonally very estinable individual of
high legal accomplishments, but he
must be entirely destitute OF the sense
of humor if he does not comprehend
that he has been dressed by the con-
vention in the costume of the chief
actor in performance that earns the:l
laughter Of the discerning public. If
he is content to hold the center of the
stage until the ridicule that will find
its fullest expression in November re-
tires him, he is certainly entitled to
play the part.
The convention made manifest its
abandonment OF all hope for the cleo
ton of the ticket when it nominated |
Mr.. Davis for Vice President: If the
ghost Of a prospect of success at the |
polls had been visible after the Parker
farce strong man from some one of |
the important and doubtful States
would have been named, but the con-
vention was in humor to carry the
abSurdity to it's legitimate conclusion,
and so the venerable millionaire from
West Virginia was called into the SER
vice. He is relied upon to furnish
large share Of the fund necessary to
finance the further exhibitions of the
farce on the National boards, and the
purpose and action of the convention
in combining him with Parker was
about the only serious feature of the
inal hours of the ST. Louis drollery.
Times.