The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-08-04

the fact that all progress results from
the efforts of two distinct types of
men-the agitator and the statesman.
ress, yet it is the fate of the agitator
to be like Moses, permitted to view
the promised land but never to enter
On the other hand. the statesman does
enter, but is always misunderstood.
very much like the character men
toned in ]. Fennimor Cooper's "Spy."
In American history. Andrew Jackson
alone seems to come nearest combin-
ing both qualities.
Mr.. Bryan has abiding faith in the
democratic party. He sees the solid
south ready to vote the democratic
ticket regardless of what the platform
may contain. SO long as it opposes
negro domination; and, bending his
efforts to make the platform right,
sees nucleus of electoral votes which,
as he evidently believes, will be given
just as readily for a reform platform
as for one plutocratlc, SO long as
the ticket bears that ralismanic label
democrat" We may differ from Mr.
Bryan as to the correctness OF his
view; but, holding it, we must grant
that his every act is consistent with
his idea of how reform may ultimately
be accomplished.
The Independent differs from Mr.
Bryan upon the question Of how to
accomplish the overthrow of the pluto
cratic element which now dominates
both old parties ana the government
According to its horoscope OF the
political heavens, the democratic par
| ty, as now constituted, is destined to
| go much as the old Whig party did;
and upon its ruins will be built the
modern, progressive democratic party
which will one day sweep plutOcl acy
from power. Just what the name OF
that party will be is not material
| but there is reason 20 believe that it
will not be democrat" 1t may not
be peoples party" either, put the
peoples party will undoubtedly stand
in much the same relation to the new
and progressive democracy, as did the
old free soil party to the republican
party which grew around it. 5
| In 1913 the free soilers, by nominal
Ing Van Buren,, effected a virtual ''fu-
SION with the boiling end OF the then
democratic party. In 1896 the people S
party did the same thing, with this ex-
ception, that it fused or attempted
to fuse with the regular organization
and not the boilers, In 1852 the free
sellers cut loose from the democratic
party and polled only 156, 149 votes
for Hale as against POI ,263 which they
had pOlled for ''Matty Van in 1913
1t is possible (although the outlook is
otherwise) that in 1904 the peoples
party may not poll as many votes as
it did for Weaver In 1892-but if it
does not, analogy would indicate a
new alignment in 1908, with the popu-
lists standing in the same relation to
the new party as did the abolition
lists to the republican party in 1856.
AS matter OF fact, however, politi-
cal movements are more swift in these
days OF rapid communication; and al
though analogy would indicate vic
tory for progressive democracy in
1872, there is no reason why it may
not come by 1908. And, contrary tc
"Kentucky's' view, The Independent
believes that Mr.. Bryan is not destined
Ito go into an obscure political grave
unwept, unhonored and unsung,' but
that he will be tower OF. strength
in the new movement. 1t believes he
has allowed his abiding faith in the
Immortality of the democratic party
to place him in false light before
the people; but If Mr.. Bryan is dis
honest in his present course-well
there is small use to place confidence
in any man.-Associate EditCr.)