Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1904-12-02

HOW 1t
. 1904

The republican victory in the pest
dental contest is apparently the most
sweeping which has been won BY any
party since the Greedy campaign OF
1872, and possibly since the overthrow
and destruction OF the wing party IN
1852. 1t does not appear that the dem
ocratic candidate has won more than a
small state or two outside OF tie sold
south, il he has even done that, and the
adverse pluralities in the states for
which his nomination vas especially
aimed, as a rule, seem TO have gone be-
yond those directed against Bryan In
1900; while the states OF the central
west, il not those Of the far west, have
dealt in peculiar and unteeling wanton-
ness with ~reorganized democratic pre-.
tensions. Chicago, which gave Mchln-
ley only about 1900 plurality in 1900
gives Roosevelt a lead approaching lOO,-
90, and all through the west the repub-
lican landslide seems TO have been OF &
similar mighty and destructive cbarac.
ter.
The conclusion is unuIistaka6le, de.
mocracy r~eorganized, democracy, safe
and sane has met with popular repudi-
alton far worse than that encountered
by democracy under radical or Bryan
leadership. So far rs triumph can be-
diEcerned in the debris OF political cat
aclysms, it Is Bryan's rather thar that
Of the ~reorganizers, and for radicalism
rather than safety and sanity One Of
the leading New York organs Of demo
cratic reorganization exclaimed, after
the nomination OF Mr.. Parker: An
opposition at lastT-but instead we
have less Of an opposition than ever.
Such is the fact, ineIplicable and die
turbing as it may ne.
How this comes about is q question
now open 10 general discussion. The
true explanation Is doubtless to be
found IL the consideration Of many
factors all working in one direction. In
the first place, the country has remained
fairly prosperous in a business way,
notwithstanding a heavy reaction i'll the
stock market. Industrial interests,
while not wholly satisfied with the stu
alton, are too we'll satisfied, under recol-
lectiops Of experiences Ill le93-9G, to
care to risk the consequences OF change
In the government at Washington, and
the whole force and influence Of the
business interest have been bent about
as decidedly in favor OF the republicans
as four years ago.
Again it was too much TO expect that
the return OF control OF the democratic
party to the men and interests That
fought Bryan and radicaiism so bitterly
IN 1900 and 1850, could carry with il the
hearty support Of the democratic masses
"ho had for eight yeara, through ridi
Guile and abuse Of exceptional volume,
followed the desperate fortunes Of q
brilliant leader proclain,tng Il new gos
pei, purposes and duty. There wa
possibly a chance of bringing the two
party factions together for the campaign
In some heartIncss OF unity, but this
was destroyed when Judge Parker,
after his nomination, sent his famou!
gold telegram III violation OF the tacit
conditions upon which his agents had
secured his nomination. Thereafter
only a grudging support was assured
to the party ticket from the followers
OF Bryan.
Judge Parker, moreover, proved lack
ing in those elements D! inspiring lead.
ership so necessary at such q crisis il
the party's life. lie was not known tG
the people, and his long pilcnce, extend.
Ing beyond he canvass for nomination
far into the presidential campaign
made him moro than ever an unknoTI
and uncertain factor to tie TO. Wher
he did conc to speak out it WIS Will
such want OF mc!sive and uggresslv,
proclamation Us to awaken little re
sponse; aud he was throughout weigh
ed down by u gum.shOc Leadership
about him which everywhere stimulate,
misgiviug and dis,rJst.
Beyond all is the unqnestioned fac
that Duere 10 not room enough in III,
country tor Two parties appealing 4
the same or a Wall street quality o
conservatism. II that il to be tn
program the people will choose tia,
party most closely identified with it
jus, Us, i'll 1852, when the wing part.
went over essentially TO the d]emocrati
position III regard to slavery, the PEG
pie chose for II pro.slavery party tn
Que whose record best proved its dc
votion and with such emphasis nj I,
wipe out the other party.
Democratic rggnizgtinu had in
deed become necessary; but rcorgan
izatiop forward aud not backward, aut
it wns II backward reorganization whicl
has becu so tremendously jumpc,
upon. Such seems to Inc the Lessor
OF tho reBult.--Spring field Republican