New-York tribune., 1907-10-07
4 HEARTY WELCONE.

Mr.. Bryan is about TO make one of his periodi-
cal visits to kentucky, being advertised to
speak in different towns Of that state to-day
and tomorrow. Kentucky is noted for its
hospitality. and, as the senior Democratic
publicst in the Blue Grass country, ColoneI
Henry Watterson feels impelled 10 address TO
the eminent visitor some words of welcome
According 10 The Tribunes dispatches from
Louisville the Colones welcome is tempered a
little by iudciOus warnings. 1t is the earnest
contention of the editor of The COurier-Jour-
nal" that he is one of Mr. Bryans sincerest and
Stanchest friends. since friendship does not
blind him-7as it might blind a more partial wor-
shipper-to minor defects in the object of his
political alteration. Colonel Watterson says
frankly that Mr. Bryan talks too much TO be
successful political leader or Presidential ca1di-
date According TO the distinguished Louisville
editor a statesman should be reserved and del
phic, not -hearted.and impetuous. He should
possess his soul in patience on the top rail until
he finds out on which side of the fence it will
be prudent and profitable TO jump. Let editors
talk and statesmen brood. is the first maxim in
Colonel Watterson's handbook of political phi
losophy.
Mr. Bryan is an editor. however. as we'll as
statesman, and he seems to hold that in his
case Mr. Watterson's philosophy is entirely in
opposite Hence some recent riffs in the Lutte
of perfect friendship and concord. Colonel Wat
terson would like to hold the Nebraska leader
at home or in his travels through other states
TO a strict observance of true stateSmanllke
opacity But hospitality sometimes requires
waiver of the wisest rules and ordinary pro-
hibtions must be suspended when Kentucky
looses the latchstrlng. Colonel WattersOn con-
cedes that Mr.. Bryan should be allowed to talk
TO his Kentucky admirers without a censor at
lis elbow. But he still advises that certain OBJ
noxious topics he cut out of the Bryan repertOry.
For instance, he warns the esteemed and hon
ored visitor to 'omit all references TO govern
"ment ownership and TO let the initiative and
referendum severely alone"
1t ought not 10 be difficult 10 persuade Mr..
Bryan TO forget that barely thirteen months
ago he declared government regulation of the
instrumentalities. of interstate commerce 10 be
q foredoomed failure and advocated government
ownership and operation as the only solution
of the railroad problem. Mr.. Bryan is willing
10 waive his preiudices and take n fresh cen
slls of party opinion on that issue. But 10 ask
him TO consign the initiative and referendum
TO neglect and silence is to ask him 10 surrender
the only vital test by which in his opinion
processing Democrats faith is TO be surely
tested. Only last spring. in Brooklyn he an
nounced that he would cOndone heresy on any
other point of doctrine. but that If Demo
crat who denied the fundamental principle of
majority rule through the operation of the in
itiative and referendum dared 10 show his
head him would he eXcommunicate and never
rest till he should be driven out of the Demo
cratic party. Yet the Nebraska statesman is
requested to ''let severely alone" his sole and
sovereign recipe for testing pure Democracy
In its issue Of September 10 THE Courier
fiNra nli
recent Democratic leaders and leadership:
Nothing could be more transparent than the
crafty seIfshness of Mr. CleVelands character
and proceeding, and nothing more obvious than
Mr.. Bryan's character ana proceeding; each Of
them working relentlossly his interest and his
viii upon the party, giving nothing and getting
everything; the first, two terms in the White
House. to leave the party almost in total ship
wreck; the second his enrichment directly
out of his candidacy and his leadership; neither
willing 10 make the smallest sacrifice OF self
for the common good; is Il not wonderful?
Mr.. Cleveland is not at present intending to
visit Kentucky. Mr.. Bryan fs and he will no
doubt be moved TO grateful appreciation when
he reads in The Courier-JournaIs" issue of
October 4: 1.-The Courier-Journar welcomes
Mr Bryan heartily