The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-11-12
Work for Bimetallism, an Income Tax and
War Upon the Trusts Shold be the
Party Watchword.
Recent Defeat Attributed to Conservatism
When Conditions Demanded
Charge All Along the Line.

William J. Bryan, at his home In
Lincoln, Neb., Wednesday night, gave
out an extended statement concerning
Tuesdays election. He said he would
not attempt to deny all the reports
circulated as to his future political
action, but would let his statement
serve to explain his position. He says:
'"rhe Democratic party has met
with an overwhelming defeat in the
national election. The questions for
consideration at this time are what
lesson does the election teach, and
what of the future? The defeat of
Judge Parker should not be considered
a personal one. He did rs we'll MS he
could under the circumstances. He
was the victim of unfavorable condi-
tions, and Of mistaken party policy.
He grew in popularity as the cam
paign progressed and expressed him
self more and more strongly upon the
trust question, but he could not over
come the heavy odds against him.
'"The so-called tariff Democrats
charged the defeat of 1896 and 1900 to
the party's position on the money
question, and insisted that victory
could he won by dropping the coinage
question entirely. The convention ac-
cepted this theory and the platform
made no reference to the money ques-
tion, but Judge Parker felt that it was
his duty to announce bis personal ad-
hercnce to the gold standard.
"His gold telegram, as it was call
cd, while embarrassing to the Demo
Gratis Of the West and South, was ap-
plau1ed by the Eastern press. He
had the cordial Endorsement of Mr..
Cleveland, who certified that the party
had returned to safety and sanity;
he had the support of the Democratic
papers which bolted in 1896, and he al
so had the aid Of nearly all Of those
who were prominent in the campaigns
Of 1896 and 1900, and yet his defeat
Is apparently greater than the party
suffered in either of those years.
ut is unquestionable also that Judge
Parker's defeat was not local but
general, the returns from the Eastern
states being as disappointing MS the
returns from the West. The reorgan-
crs were closely affiliated with the
party. They planned the campaign
and carried it on according to their
own views and the verdict against
their plan is unanimous one. Sure
ly nobody can be blamed for this de-
feat, for the campaign was run on a
gold basis. Neither can the defeat
be charged to emphatic condemnati tion
Of the trusts, for the trusts were not
assailed as vigorously this year as
they were four years ago. 1t is evil
dent that the campaign did not turn
upon the question of Imperialism, and
it is not fair to consider the result as
a personal victory for the president,
although his administration was the
subject Of criticism.
'"The result was due to the fact that
the Democratic party attempted to be
conservative, in the presence of con-
ditiOns which demand radical rem
edies. 1t sounded n partial retreat
when it should have ordered charge
all along the line. In 1896 the line
was drawn for the first time during
the present generation between plut-
ocracy and democracy and the party's
stand for democracy alienated a large
Of plutocratic Democrats who
in the nature Of things cannot be ex-
pectcd to return, and it drew to itself
large number of earnest advocates
or reform whose attachment to these
reforms is much stronger than attach
ment to any party name.
'"The Republican party occupies the
position. That is, it de-
fends those who, having found unfair
advantage through class legislation,
insist they should not be disturbed, no
matter how oppressive their exactions
may become. The Democratic party
cannot hope to compete successfully