The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-12
BRYAN's RESPONSE TO CRITICISM.

BHNA RESPONSE TO CRITICISM.
In his speech at Maysville. Mo. on
Monday Mr.. Bryan said he believed
his hearers would give him credit for
courage enough to oppose Parker
openly if he didn't regard him as the
best man for the place, and that he
hoped his reputation for truth and
veracity was such that his friends
would believe him when he said he
was supporting the Democratic nomi-
nees by every means in his power
The foregoing was no doubt called
out by the criticisms of some of the
things Mr.. Bryan has been saying. He
is expected to make forty speeches in
Indiana before the close of the cam
paign. The National Democratic
Committee depends largely upon him
for Democratic success in that state.
When he consented to speak in Indiana
there was rejoicing at the Democratic
headquarters, but after he had de-
livered a few speeches in Nebraska
there was grave doubt i'm the minds of
the Democratic campaign managers as
to whether they hadn't made a mis-
take in inviting him to speak in
Indiana or anywhere else.
There is no doubt that MIR. Bryan
wants to be true to the Democratic
platform and ticket, but the truth is
he isn't in full sympathy with them
He finds it hard therefore to be en-
thusiastic in his speeches for the Demo-
cratic cause. Besides. he finds it hard
to serve those who were not in sympa-
thy with him In his two campaigns.
He thinks he is doing Judge Parker
good service. but his speeches don't
have the ring of sincerity. His heart
isn't in his work. This is so evident
that the Democratic campaign mana
gers are afraid that he is doing more
harm than good. They are hoping that
he will speak out frankly for Judge
Parker in Indiana. In Nebraska he
said, and in Missouri he is saying,
that he thinks Judge Parker is the
best man of the bunch of candidates,
and therefore should be elected, but
his manner indicates and his words
seem to convey the idea that he isn't
the man he would like to see at the
head of the Democratic party. Natural
ly he fails to arouse much enthusiasm
for the ticket.
Mr.. Bryan's lukewarmness, the att
titude of Mr. Hearst's paper up to a
recent date and some things which Mr..
Watson has said have served to create
an impression that thera vas soYoa
sort of an understanding between them
and their followers to the effect that
If the Democratic party We're defeated
in this campaign they would reorg-
anize it along lines in harmony with
their views. This impression perhaps
does Mr.. Bryan an injustice, but If he
has an idea that he and others can
reorganize the Democratic party in the
event of its defeat in the approaching
election he is very much mistaken.
He certainly wouldn't have any fol-
lowing of Democrats worth mention
ing If the belief should be entertain
ed that he was Indifferent as to whether
Judge Parker was elected or not If
he hopes to he honOred by the Demo-
cratic party at any future time he
must make it clear that he is doing his
best for the ticket in this campaign.
In the speeches he is yet to deliver he
must make a better impression than
he has by those he has already de-
livered. There must be no further oc>
casion for him to make explanations.