The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-02-23
John Sharp Williams Resigns the
Leadership and then Reconsid-
ers Every Other Day.
ROOSEVELT IN A REAL FIGHT
It. Will Throw the Andy Johnson Ep-
isode Into the Shade Struggle
Sure to Come

Editor Independent: The outlook for
genuine democracy was never bright
er. The moribund organization, which
ever since the civil war has been steal
ing the livery of heaven to serve the
devil in, it now seems evident, will
in all likelihood actually die. Like
all inyalids, the sO-called democratic
party has lived much longer than even
it's friends had hoped. 1t has been
the stumbling block in the way of any
progress in the direction of genuine
democracy.
That shreWd old Frenchman was
right-language was given us to con-
ceal our thoughts The modern dem
ocratic party never was democratic.
A great portion of it tried to be in
1896-but the powers that be would
have none Of it. Still there was hope,
until the titular leader of 1896 aban-
doned the high ground he had taken
and in 1904 kissed the hand that smote
him eight years before. This caused
more genuine sorrow, /. doubt not,
than will ever be fully known-for the
masses loved Bryan, nay, they idol
lied him. They love him yet; but
some millions of them have lost con-
fdence. Not that they believe him dis
honest or insincere-but they fear his
intense orthodoxy. To be regular
last year-in the face of all that hap
pened at st. Louis and afterward--
was the biggest sacrifice Mr.. Bryan ever
made He grasped at the shadow and
missed the substance. | feel sure he
did what he felt would be best in the
long run, believing, as he evidently
does, in the Immortality of the demo
cratic party. But while we grant his
honesty of purpose, we are not obliged
to agree with his Judgment.
That the democratic party is rapidly
going to pieces seems evident. The
democratic minority in congress, un-
der the socalled leadership of John
Sharp Williams, is rent in twain al
the very time when it could be power
in disrupting the republican party.
Notwithstanding it's unconcealed
friendship for predatory wealth and
its hostility to the real producers OF
wealth, the republican majority in
congress seems more independent than
the democratic minority. Most of the
members composing the latter wear the
railroad corporation collar with meek
ness that would be sublime, were it
not so ludicrous; and laughable, were
i5 not so serious.
William Randolph Hearst, Robert
Baker and small handful of kindred
souls are the only democrats left in
the democratic minority. Hearst
through his papers, is, in street par
lance, making a monkey" of Johr
Sharp Williams, and Williams "retires'
from leadership and reconsiders il
about every other day. Hearst very
frankly takes the position that if tn.
little handful composing the minority
can't be really democratic-then Tho
democratic party should go out of bust
ness. Doubtless he knows that tht
latter is the only alternative now-bu
does not feel warranted in saying 81
until every reasonable effort is mad,
tc secure the former.
President Roosevelt is daily gettins
little nearer to an actual state o
war with the senate. Indications poin
to a fight that will lay the Andrev
Johnson episode completely in th'
shade. Thanks ID popular agitation
for election Of senator's by the people
the president has a powerful weapon
to use in the struggle that seems sure
to come Well informed men believ,
the upshot will be a constitutional con
vention II so, the friends of real de
mocracy must be on the alert and Sc,