Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-09-07
MIR. BRYAN's BLIND POOL.
Most Mysterious Ever Organized by
Misguided Politicians.
New York World (dem.)

New YORK world (dem.)
What is the mystery of Bryan's extraor-
binary popularity? Some of 1t is undoubt-
eddy personal. Mr.. Bryan is a wholesome,
hearty chap, full OF red blood and the milk
Of human kindness. Like Kiplings Fuzzy
Wuzzy. he is flrst-class fighting man, and
most Americans like a man who is ready
to battle for his beliefs, no matter whether
he be right or wrong. Mr.. Bryan has much
OF that personal charm which made Henry
Clay the best beloved man OF his genera
ton, but which could never make him
president. And at a time when oratory is
In a state OF decay he is an exceptionally
clever and forceful public speaker, All this
serves to account for the admiration of
thousands OF individuals but does 1t ex-
plain why a great, historical party persists,
despite It's terrible defeats under his leader
ship, in making him its candidate for
president again two years in advance of
the nominating convention? Does 1t ex-
plain why all factions of that party
should frenziedly unite upon him as their
standard bearer and begin the campaign
of 1908 In the summer of 1862.
Are not the democrats of the country, by
their folly and stupidity. tying their own
hands and closing the door of opportunity
upon themselves? So far as 1t lies In their
power, they have. made Mr.. Bryan their
candidate for president in 1908 without
knowing what issues may be before the
country two yeart hence or what Mr.
Bryan's attitude toward those issues will
be- Must not every speech he makes from
today until election day in 1908 necessarily
be campaign speech? Must not every
word he utters inevitably commit his party?
His overzealous followers have given him
carte blanche to make his issues, frame
the platform and shape the campaign. In
deed, they have given him blank power
OF attorney to manage the affairs OF the
democratic party for the next two years
and commit It to any policy. idea, fad or
mistake he pleases. and this in the name OF
politics. Is not extraordinary a mild
word with which TO describe such a situa-
tion?
Nobody will deny Mr. Bryan's personal
popularity It lie probably nowhere
stronger than in his own state. where he
Is best known. But loving Mr.. Bryan and
voting for his principles are different pairs
OF sleeves. Anybody doubling 1t is invited
| to examine the Nebraska elections for the
! last ten years. In 1896 Mr. Bryan carried
his state by 1855. In 1900 Mr.. Mckinley
carried II by 1892, In 1904 Mr. Roosevelt
carried 1t by $685. Every congressman
and every state officer is republican.
Every western state that Mr.. Bryan carried
In 1896 lie now republican on national issues.
The west may still love Mr.. Bryan. but It
prefers 20 elect republicans TO ONCE. de-
clining 70 mix its affections with its politics.
A 1906 reception 20 William ]. Bryan. the
distinguished American orator. journalist
and private citizen. is one thing, but a 1896
ovation tc William ]. Bryan, the next
democratic candidate for president. Is quite
another. 1t Is the most mysterious blind
pool" ever organized by misguided pol-
ticians. 1t is the most impolitic, foolish
abdication OF power on the part OF great
political organization ever recorded in the
I history Of the United States Even the
partisans OF Louis Napoleon waited until
they had elected him president before they
made him a dictator. but the democrats OF
the United States are completely Indicating
their self-control and party self-govern-
ment by making Mr.. Bryan their party
dictator before they have elected him 10
anything. "a mad world. my masterA'