The Washington herald., 1907-08-02
FRIDAY. AUGUST ?. 1901
Mr. Brvan's Candidacy.

ATr. Bryan has taken pains latterly TO
make il clear that, while he viii not stand
in the way of the nomination of any other
Presidential candidate who may be the
choice Of his party he himself is perfectly
willing to take the nomination and viii
not decline it if rendered. His rather
definitive abandonment of the government
ownership issue was obviously intended
10 increase his chances of preferment,
and now Chairman CARRIER. of the Demo-
cratic State executive committee Of Ohio,
after consultation with Mr.. Bryan. deems
il proper to put the Democrats of his
State on notice that the Nebraska leader
viii accept another nomination for the
Presidency. Mr.. CARRIER, however, wishes
To avoid falling into the error of the Taft
boomers, who have preelptated an acri-
mOnious contest by pushing the Taft can
didacy too early in the season, and so he
declares that Mr.. Bryan does not want
the nomination rendered year in ad-
vance. or in any other year than that in
which the national convention meets.
Yet Mr.. CARRIER makes it plain that he is
announcing the Bryan candidacy for the
purpose OF heading of the anti-Bryan
movement which he characterizes as
''semi-frantic agitation" He seems to
think that such a movement is an Gle
ment of party danger, in Ohio, at all
events, which he would avert by. concen-
trating party sentiment on Bryan.
That the anti-Bryan movement has at
tanned sufficient proportions TO warrant a
counter move on the part Of the Nebras-
kan's partisans would seem to be legiti-
mate inference from Chairman CARRIER
announcement TO the Ohio Democracy,
following so closely Us it does. on Mr..
Bryan's reputation of the government
ownership issue. But the visible signs OF
the anti-Bryan campaign are not weighty
or numerous. Its most promising aspect
appears in the good Southern man" idea.
which has been industriousIy propagated
by Northern agencies, and finds some re-
Spouse south Of the Potomac Several
good Southern men have been brought
forth, and their merits canvassed. but
without producing any marked impression
upon the country. At least one Of these
suggested candidates would not attempt
TO dispute the nomination with Bryan
and it is probable that Others are like
minded It is worth noting, in this con-
nection, that the economic policies fol-
which Bryan ConspicUOusly stands are
popular in the South. and that they are
rapidly finding application in State legis-
lation. So it is probable that the anti.
Bryan movement in the South. as in the
North, represents conservatism that is
not likely TO count for much in deciding
the next Presidential nomination in either
party. or in settling the issues of the cam.
paign
Mr.. Bryan's nomination. in fact is a,
good as settled, in the opinion of mos
people, even Of those who want him least
II is the fashion in some quarters TO pic
ture him as an incubus lying heavily
upon the Democracy. Of which it will b,
possible to rid the party only by a serie.
of defeats But, after all. who has {
stronger party following than Bryan. Oh
what Democrat could poll a larger vote
than he? If the Democracy has any rea
incubus weighing it down. it must b,
looked for elsewhere than in the person.
atty of William Jennings Bryan.