The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-05-07
ASToRIAN PUBLISHING COMPANY.
THE SOUTH WILL DECIDE.

The active struggle now on for the democrat
presidential nomination affords unique study
politics, Even the most sanguine of the democrat
confess that their chance this year is merely
the part of the various asprants could not POI
sibly be more acute The candidates are fghtin
not SO much for the honor attached to the nomina
tion the, possibility of success in the election
for the principal involved. On the one hand ar
lined up the conservatives men of the Cleyelan
stripe, while pitted against them are the men VIII
have been regular in their political habits. TIL
last-named class is vastly in the majority, thougl
the former once defeated Mr.. Bryan-in 1896
when $4,000 votes, properly placed would have
elected him over the lamented Mckinley
1t is now almost certain that Judge Parker vii
not be named by the democrats. Judge Parke
was brought into sudden prominence by those VIII,
fought their party's candidate in the last tw,
campaigns. He is known as the candidate of Mr.
Cleveland Several months have elapsed sine,
Judge Parker's name was sprung, yet the judg
has never once delivered himself of poltica
utterance He is noncommittal as to matters Of
politics. and refrains from expressing any Opin
ions, evidently fearful statement made before
the convention assemblies would be construed TO
be antagonstic to one of the two contendng fac
tions within the party.
In point of strength at the present time Mr.
which his opponents never expected he would get
Illinois and Indiana have gone for him. All over
the country it is Hearst VS.. someone else. In
Massachusetts, it was Hearst VS.. Olney; in Illinois
Hearst vs. Harrison; in New York, Hearst VS.. Par.
ker Everywhere his campaigners are active among
the democrats and it is becoming evident he will &C
into the convention with a greater apparent follow
ing than any other candidate. When his name was
first mentioned he was laughed at. But a man Of
Mr. Hearst's energy is not to be laughed at He has
become the greatest publisher in the world and wher
he tries for an honor he can be depended upon to gel
it if such thing is possible Eliminating the vote
Of the south in the national convention, he would
receive the nomination which he is seeking
Mr.. Bryan is still the factor in democratic politics
The great mass of democratic voters stand behind
him. He was nominated twice and on both occasions
thrown down Had the sound money democrats sup
ported him he would have won in 1896, when as has
been previously stated $4,000 votes would have gver
him the victory although not the majority OF the
popular vote. The man who tries for the presidency
Of the United States on the democratic ticket anC
fails because of the refusal of democrats to support
him enjoys the sympathy of the voters For this
and other reasons Mr. Bryan represents the bulk Of
the democratic vote of the union.
Mr.. Bryan is opposed to the schemes of the re
organizers He says these reorganizers defeated him
and thereby sacrificed the party. He demands the
nomination of man who has always supported the
nominee, and his demand in this respect is eminenty
correct Doubtless when he finally declares himself
he will be found supporting Mr. Hearst who has al
ways been regular in his support of the ticket.
But the nomination will be made by the south
This section of the unen furnishes the democratic
strength and is therefore entitled to say who shall
be the nominee The democrats of the south are anx-
ous for success and will vote in convention for the
nominee who appears to be strongest in those north
ern states which are considered doubtful or possible
of being carried The south does not seem favoraby
inclined toward the candidacy of Mr.. Hearst but at
the convention may support him. The south wants
the party to return to the old-time principles but
probably will not countenance the nomination Of an
irregular democrat If Mr. Hearst is not successful
then. it is likely dark horse will be named and the