New-York tribune., 1907-04-21

According 10 the Hon. James C. Dahlman
Nebraska's representative on the Democratic
National Committee. Mr.. Bryan is going TO run
for President next year on greatly simpli-
fed platform Mr.. Dahlman IS an intimate
friend OF Mr.. Bryan, and apparently talks by
fhe card when he describes the simplifcatiOns
which are 10 he effected in current Democratic
doctrine II seems 10 have occurred 10 the
editor of The CommOner' that he is carry
sng excess po.4dcal baggage. When he returned
from Eu-c last August he found the Demo
cratic party in an unexpectedly receptive mood,
and under the spell Of an expansive welcome
he undertook 10 outline the terms under which
he would accept and exercise party leadership.
Ihe programme he submitted was both minute
and comprehensive. But though the party had
committed itself in advance to all his policies
81 began at once 10 criticise details in his sum-
mary. and leaders like Senator's Rayner Daniel
and Bailey and Representative John Sharp
Williams promptly said that If nominated he
Ernst he nominated on a platform which ig-
nored his fundamental issue Of government
ownership and operation OF the railroads
Mr. Bryan has shown signs for some months
past Of firing Of the government ownership
proposition He has repeatedly explained that
he aims only az ultimate" ownership and that
he viii be satisfied with a gradual" taking
over of the instrumentalities of interstate com
merce. In his Brooklyn speech last week he
forgot TO talk about the railroad issue, and
dragged tie referendum to the fore as the
sheet anchor OF Democratic faith and the vital
test Of Democratic safety and sanity. That
mastery retreat from the ChickahOmny TO the
James seems 10 have been promptly inter
2reted by Mr.. Bryan's home friends. for Mr.
DRhlman now assures us that government own
ership and operation OF the railroads will not
trouble The dreams of the resolutions commit
tee in the next Democratic National Conven-
tiOn. II is ultimate solution; let il he
ultimate still The free coinage Of silver at
twice its market value is also an ultimate"
ideal. 1t viii be left for some twenty-first CEN
tuFy convention TO deal with "Anti-imperial-
ism" as an issue is neither ultimate, penultI-
mate nor ante-penultmate. II is a buried
memory; let it stay buried. But what is left
20 All the void? Why, the tariff. of course
Tariff reform win he a strong feature" saws
AR. Dahlman. But not 10 interfere with
complete harmony, the plank will be mod
eTately wOrded." Like Bottoms roar. It will
not terrify the nerves Of the most sensitive who
hear H. As side issues the Democracy will Drv,-
sent Civil Service reform, cessation in arm0.
''ments the election Of United States Senators
''by direct vote and a strong foreign policy
Mr.. Dahlman seems 10 have edited the Nadi
son Square Garden delivemnce with a cleaver
bul u eiihiiha'ioh ~ Il good thing, why is il
not carried furtherg Wouldn't the Democracy
De better of il il sacrificed n few more impedi
menta. M Bryan himself has found an issue
on which ne Is content 10 stand or fall. TO drive
all others out OF the Democratic party or ~
himself elected from that venerable Organiza
fiOn His Brooklyn speech WAS apparently moi
correctly understood. I'm II he put forward !
principle even deeper. more vital and more cru
Finl than the referendum. As he said:
Tie right of The people 10 govern themsel,,e,
Is the fundamental Democratic doctrine "a,
nay differ about btner questions. but il there Il
q man calling himself a Democrat who does no
believe IN the right of the people TO goverg
thenselves ! shall drive him out Of the Demo
Cratic party ig I can, and may add that IL I'd.