The Washington herald., 1906-10-26
Bryan. the Safe and Sane. in 1908.


The climax of radicalism in the Demo
cratic party was reached in the nominal
ton Of William Randolph Hearst for gov
ernor Of New York II the people elect
him, what then? II defeated. how about
the party's future? Men of both parties
are asking these questions Many Demo-
Gratis hold that the road TO the White
House leads by way Of Albany, and that
ii Mr.. Hearst be chosen governor he Will,
in two years. be nominated and, possibly,
elected President Whether liking or dis
liking the outlook, they see in this the log
ical outcome. If defeated, those Demo-
Gratis who would forecast the future, be-
lieve that the party viii forthwith turn
to conservatism and nominate an oid-line
Democrat. perhaps a Southern man, for
the Presidency.
The Herald ventures to predict that
these forecasts and conclusions will prove
erroneous. In its opinion, the nomination
Of William Jennings Bryan is well nigh a
certainty now, and viii be made all the
more certain by the New York election.
however il goes. Mr.. Hearst's success
would assuredly increase Mr.. Bryan's fol-
lowing from the ranks of those who seek
10 stem the tide of radicalism. Nobody
can doubt that Mr.. Hearsts defeat. with
the ensuing shift toward conservatism,
would just Us surely enhance Mr.. Bryan $
political Importance. not because he Is Il
conservative. but because, strange as It
may seem, he is the safest and sanest
available Democrat-mind the use Of the
word "avdilable'-in the country to-day
No gift Of prophecy is required TO read
the political future to this extent
1t is a fine sentiment that prompts the
suggestion Of a Southern Democrat for
leadership in 1905. The South could easily
furnish a man TO whom the Democratic
masses would give their confidence and
their support. But radicalism has not eX-
hausted itself. ard the time is not yet.
There are issues TO be thrashed out before
an era of political tranquility viii again
set in; before the ship of either party can
get back 10 the moorings that existed
prior 10 1886 Sober-minded Democrats
and Republicans alike are approaching
that fact
Bryan is the Roosevelt OF the Demo
cratic party; Hearst the La Toilette. The
Republicans are as likely 20 rally around
La Toilette in 1903 as the Democrats are
10 take up Hearst. Neither viii carry the
standard of his party
Half the reforms that Roosevelt stands
for the subordinate Republican leaders, at
heart. oppose. but they follow him Just
the same Democrats are at odds with
Bryan-at odds with him on many things,
notably government Ownership-but thsy
will be behind him two years hence,
and. as il now seems, in more compact
robust form than at any time since he
came upon the public stage. The party
cannot help itself. If Roosevelt and Bry-
an lead the cOntending forces-a not I'M
probable alignment-there viii be a battle
royal such as the present generation has
never seen; if it be Bryan against any
other Republican. the opposition party.
now so disOrEanized and imDotent, may
be expected 10 develop a strength that
the most optimistic Democrat does not at
this moment dream Of.
Conditions viii not be altered BY the
coming elections. New York win fail 10
set the pace for the Democrats Of the
country whether it elects or rejects VIII
liam Randolph Hearst