The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-26
MIR. BRYAN AND THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY.

From Mr.. Bryan's recent utterances and
actions it is evident he intends To do his
utmost TO prevent the nomination by the
Democratic party for President of any per-
son who did not vote for him in 1896 and
1900. This includes the sound-money Dem
ocrats who voted for Palmer and Buckner,
as we'll as those who voted for Mckinley.
Mr.. Bryan's test OF Democracy is exactly
the opposite of that of the sound-money
Democrats of 1896 and 1900. They main
tain that they were keepers of the faith
and true Democrats because they stood by
the ancient landmarks and refused to run
of after strange gods and vicious heresies,
while Bryan charges them with having be-
trayed the faith and forfeited the right to
be called Democrats because they did not
support him on the Populistic platform of
1896 and 1900.
In an interview i'm the New York World
of Saturday Mr.. Bryan refused to say
whether or not he would lead a bolt If
the national convention should reject his
demand for the reafIirmation of the Kan
sas City platform. To a direct question
signs of irritation: "You had better ask
that question of those who are trying to
drag the party back 10 where it was be-
tween 1892 and 1896. presumption rests
against them. No man who supported the
ticket I'm 1896 and 1900 will ask me such
question. and no one who did not support
il has any business to ask it. Ask the re-
organizers what they will do if they are
outnumbered at st. Louis"
By dragging the Democratic party back
to where it was between 1892 and 1896 Mr..
Bryan meant that Grover Cleveland had
been the ruin of the party and that his
second administration was the lowest depth
the party had ever reached. As a matter
Of fact. IL the party had stood by Mr..
Cleveland it would, whether victorious in
1896 or not have landed on the safe and
solid ground of Jacksonan Democracy in
stead of in the bog Of Organism and Popu-
ism. where it has been fioundering for the
last eight years. If it had had sense
enough to stand by a consistent and cour-
ageous leader like Mr.. Cleveland it would
at least have saved its honor and it's or
ganizatio1. and might possibly have won
in 1896. Instead of that, the Chicago con-
vention rejected sound financial plank
by GIG to 9O5. rejected a resolution indors-
ing the Cleveland administration with a
yell of derision by a vote of 564 TO $751; and
adopted a free-silver Populistic platform by
62S TO 3O1. So completely had Populism
permeated the party and prepared the way
for the stampeding of the convention by
Bryan's Grown of thorns" speech.
For eight years past the Democratic
party has been paying the penalty of de-
sorting ITS principles and dallying with
Populism. The people have shown that
they know how to deal with Organism. and
II Bryan man should be nominated at St.
Louis he will be defeated as Bryan has
been twice. Bryan cannot force himself
nor any of his kind the people, but he
can force himself on the Democratic party
and PROBABLY Jictate NE action its >ffaa
tional convention. For eight years past
ne has been the party's organizer of defeat,
and il is evident he does not propose to re-
linquish his occupation In the World in
terview he said: II believe the convention
is certain 10 reaffirm the Kansas City plat
form. 1 am confident that when the con-
vention meets the reaffrmation sentiment
will be largely in the majority"
For this milestone around it's neck, this
Nemesis that is making it pay the penalty
of it's folly, the Democratic party is itself
largely responsible. If it had stood by
Grover Cleveland during his last admins
tration, when he had a bowling repudia-
ton Congress on his hands, instead of de-
sorting him, it would be i'm vastly better
shape now If it had not embraced Popu-
Iism it could have escaped Organism.