The Topeka state journal., 1907-12-23
Opponents Accept the Situation
With Helpless Resignation.
They Realize That No Other
Democrat Has a Show.
CHANCE OF ELECTION
They Regard As Scarcely Worth
Consideration
Unless the Republicans NOmi-
nate a ReactiOnist.

special to the Tribune saws: There have
been few things in politics stranger
than the condition now existing in the
Democratic party. William Jennings
Bryan has few warm friends among
the leaders, he has no real personal
machine, and he is bitterly denounced
by some of the most influential men in
his own party, and yet he is almost as
Ksure of the nomination as if all of the
delegates had been elected and all
were instructed for the peerless leader
from Nebraska
1t was impossible not to notice dur
ing the meeting of the Democratic ma
tional committee here that the feeling
in regard to Bryan was in many cases
one of pious resignation rather than of
ecstanic enthusiasm. Particularly
among the southern members of the
committee was this sentiment appar-
ent. They declared that Bryan surely
would be no opposition to him in the
convention.
But they all said it with a sigh and
some with an expletive. Some went |
SO far as to Hken the peerless leader
to Sinbad's old man of the sea and |
others insinuated that the party al
ready had gone to the demnition |
bowwows and that Bryan might as |
well be the nominee until he died, be- |
cause no Democrat could be elected.
Party Loves a Shindy.
This state of affairs is not natural
have been cutand dried for them. They |
like a shindy and the true |
Democratic spirit flares up brightest |
when there is a prospect of a beauti-
oratorical blood at the convention
The Democratic convention of 1896
long will live in the memory of those
men who were fortunate enough to
witness it, Bryan was nominated
only after hard fight, which resulted
in the practical disruption of the
party
Even in 1900, after Bryan had been
beautifully beaten by Mckinley, the
at Kansas City was any
thing but a ratification meeting. The
gold Democrats had begun to straggle
back into the party ranks and the
light which might have taken place
over the candidate was transferred to
he platform.
In 1904 there were half a dozen ac-
i've volcanoes in full play on the floor
If the convention hall in st. Louis.
sensation was piled upon sensation
md the proceedings lasted with un-
ibated vigor until the close of a long
hight session, which was full of pyro-
All Peaceful and Wearisome.
Now all is peace in the party. With
peace there is disgust. Bryan as the
perennial and perpetual candidate has
tipped all ambition in the bud. Other
nen who might aspire to the presi-
fency have been compelled to stand
Lside because Bryan, always Bryan,
md only Bryan, first must be taken
nto consideration. He has become a
radition to the party. like state rights
,r unit rule, and loyalty to him has al
most become the test of party unifor-
nifty
The southern men are chaflng un-
Ier this condition of affairs, eastern
Democrats are frankly ashamed of
heir predicament, and northwestern
,arty men are in open revolt because
candidate like johnson Of Minnesota
8 compelled to hide his light under a ,
ushel while Bryan continues to make
money in the lecture field and in his
ditoria1 capacity, running for presi- ,,
ency every four years as an adver-
isement. ,
There are few in his party so bold
s to predict that Mr.. Bryan will be In 3.
ny danger of being elected president :
ext November except in certain con-
hat if the ultra conservative element !
mong Republicans should win at (
and some man be nominated
Tho was known to be out of touch 6
heories, the radical element among I
he Republicans would be inclined to {
urn toward a man like Bryan, and I
here would be a chance then of car c
ying some western states after a red t
ot campaign and general breaking s
own of party lines among Republi- i
ans
Most Democrats. when not talking
Or publication, admit that under ordi- j
airy circumstances the Republicans T
re pretty sure to put up the right sort
man to keep Eryan oqt of the
idacy of the Nebraskan out of sheer Z
and because they realize it c
i'll be practically impossible to put 4
p any man against him who will
land any show of controlling a ma
,rity of the delegates at the Denver
onvention.