The Washington herald., 1907-05-26

Lynchburg. Va. May 25-Breaking the
long silence which he has dignifedly
maintained since the first mention Of his
name in connection with the honor, John
Warwick Daniel YirEinia's senior Sena-
tor, tonight authorized the announce
ment that. although he is not a candidate
for the Presidential nomination on the
Democratic ticket, he is very grateful TO
his friends for the complimentary men
ton of his name as a probability.
Further than this he declined 10 SO.
stating that he does not feel called upon
to give any additional definition Of his at
titude. His stand is one Of quiet dignity
that Of one who will neither deny nor
affirm. His position, Concisely put, Is that
his future, in so far as il has any con-
nection with so great an honor as that
OF a Presidential nomination. is entirely
out Of his hands and in the custody of
his party and his friends
i am in no sense a candidate for the
nomination" declared Senator Daniel.
While the kindness with which the mem
ton Of my name has been received in
some quarters is naturally very crafty
ing TO me, | do not think the situation
calls for any public expression from me
at this time"
Statement Regarded significant.
Modest as this statement is. its signif-
canoe is not to be underestimated, il the
action I'm inner circles Of the Democratic
party for the past several weeks is con-
siGered This action has shown that a
pronounced desire exists among many in
fiuentiai Democrats to see the Virginian
named to lead his party ticket as a safe
and sane" leader to be put forward
against the generally regarded radical
William J. Bryan.
Senator Daniels record as a soldier in
the Confederate army. his efforts TO OBJ
Iterate sectional lines since the war, his
public career as a statesman and a
Democrat. and his firm position favoring
government regulation of railroads
though opposing government ownership
makes him. in the opinion Of many Of his
colleagues in the Senate and the leaders
in his party. a prospective nominee who
would draw great strength and prove the
proper medium to bring about the welding
Of the shattered remnants of the Demo
cratic party.
Il IS believed that the next few weeks
will disclose the full extent of the Daniel
movement, which up to the present time
has been more or less covered.
Views on National Ticket.
When seen at his home in Lynchburg
to-day, the Senator was extremely reluc-
tant 10 discuss the Presidential situation,
and it was only in response to a direct
question as 90 whether he was a candi-
date for the nomination that he made his
statement, but when pressed for his views
on the general character of what the next
Democratic platform should be. more par
tlcularly its attitude on sectionalism. gov
eminent regulation Of railroads. centraH-
zatlon. tariff. money. and the race issue,
he declared himself as follows:
AS 20 the national ticket, I have not
myself aspired TO or sought any position
on a national ticket. and. therefore. l
speak on this subject without embafTass-
ment. In the wholesome condition of
public feeling that has come 10 pass. I.
think that the ticket should be composed
of men according to their merit and avail
ability without regard To the section from
which they come. There are no sections
OF this country at present with respect to
the great economic questions we have 20
deal with. nor, so far as I know, is the
spirit Of secuonalism such as to interfere
with the due exercise of enlightened iudg-
ment,
broad Democratic Principles
Il am not undertaking to frame any
Democratic platform that suits existing
conditions. but I would say oh-hand that
I think the national Democratic platform
should enunciate broad general Demo
cratic principles and be confined to those
things upon which the Democrats are gen
orally agreed. Thus limited. it would
bring together the Democratic forces Of
the United States. and if they could be
brought together. they would have an ex-
cellent chance Of victory.
such a platform would. of course in
Clude fair and just regulation Of the cor
pofstions engaged in interstate commerce.
It should. of course. take the Constitution
fairly and justly interpreted. as its guide
and have the public welfare as its sole
aim: also. il would not entertain any
proposition for the United States to own
the roads. or the vehicles engaged in
transportation.
What the far distant future may bring
no man can say. but such proposition is
the reversal Of Democracy and the despair
Of the republic Moreover, it diverts the
mind from the progressive regulation Of
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