The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-15
1ncca i.fc,fanl I take II: :r:d NO
,,hiInsopily Of matter or ortyi;; c:'n
pluck ii out of my innd.--Theodorc
T. Munger.
Mr. pnYAN,s ANNOUNCEMENT.

:, The announcement of Mr.. William J.
BRYAN. 10 he foua.l elsewhere in this
8 lssre Of The Times-D dispatch will not
take the nation BY surprise. Long ago
Mr.. Bryan gave the public to under-
stand that he would become candi-
date for The Democratic nomination
for the presidency if he could be
reasonably assured that the Democrh-
tic masses desired him to run. Since
that time he has been at pains to try
popular sentiment. and 1t must be adj
mitted. as The Times-Dispalch adj
mitted months ago that he is easily
the choice of the rank and file. This
estimate is based on the fact that
Mr.. Bryan has been received with the
usual favor, IL not with the former en-
thusiasnl, wherever he has mingled
with the Democratic hosts, and the
additional fact that with all the
sporadic efforts that have been made
against him here and there. the boom
of no other candidate has developed
j. " ,aiis ~ oSsO'A
the borders of its own local environ
ment.
Iii politics all Things are possible,
and Saul may yet rise out OF his
obscurity and stand head and Shout
ders above all others to be anointed:
but to-day there is no rational Demo
cratic candidate but William j. Bryan,
of Nebraska, and his announcement
should make him stronger than ever.
1t remains to be seen upon wha,
kind of n platform Mr.. Bryan will
stand l. gals hearts desire is realized
and he SITS the nomination. or course
If Mr.. Bryan is found to be the favoritc
of the Democratic National Conven-
ton, he will have much to do with
framing the platform. II he Is abnor-
nally wise and desires genuine old.
fashioned Democratic doctrines. witt
no new-fanglcd or foreign fads he
will unquestionably unite the Demo.
cratic party. He can safely count or
the support of the populistic and other
yagarious elements in the party. ant
what he needs though he may not
personally want them, are the Demo
Gratis who still remember with ar.
prevail the principles avowed by Tilden
= Cleveland and William e. Russell.
Such Democrats are yearnng for TIL.
overthrow Of the Republican cabal ant
will rejoice 70. seed united front of tn,
party under an untarnished banne
moving upon the enemy. All the for
mer antagonism to Mr., Bryan will b
forgotten in their enthusiasm to re
store the government of the countr,
to the hands of those who are pledge,
TO the doctrine of equal rights to al
and special privileges to none" whie
Mr.. Bryan most wisely makes the key
note of mis- announcement.
Thee TimesD Dispatch viii feel that
new era of security and progress ha
'awned upon the country when such
contamination Is reached
Mr.. Bryan is not our choice and w
'till hope that the towering Saul ma
come from his retirement to lead tn
party; but whether he does or not. "
shall adhere TO the old Democrat
neutrality-suspicious. not men"--an
shall exert ourselves TO see that Gigl
principles are put in the pIatfori
rather than favorite sons are put on i
Mr. Bryan has announced his ow
8 candidacy, but an announcement i
even in mis- case, not necessarily equiv,
lent to q nomination.