The Washington herald., 1907-11-28

John Sharp Williams showed the way TO
substantial Democratic unity of action
when he said. at the Bryan dinner. that
L agreement can be reached with Mr.. Bryan
about enough things ITO keep the Demo-
cratic party from going to its death or
decay" and that "the best chance OF CO.
hesion and for combative strength lies IN
the nomination of Bryan All this has
been obvious for some time, and the per-
sistent denial of it by a large number
Of newspapers wearing the Democratic
label is one of tho most curious features
of the Democratic situation. Thus we
find the most influential and most ag-
gressive party leader. the man most
nearly in accord with the great bulk of
party opinion. the candidate who has an
/ actual record Of having put up the strong
est fight made by the opposition in a
dozen years. daily berated as absolutely
| certain of defeat should he be nominated
for the Presidency again, Now a belief
of this sort. however untenable in the
light Of past occurrences and future pos
sibilities. may be entertained as matter
of private opinion. but Il argues queer
conception Of the means Of promoting
party success when private opinion is set
above the opinion OF the majority, and
emphasis is laid on grounds Of difference
rather than on points OF agreement.
Mr.. Bryan has been defining Democratic
doctrine for number of years, and his
own opinions Of what constituted Demo-
cratic doctrine have not always been re-
ceived with unanimous delight by the
older members Of his party. any more
than Mr. Roosevelts numerous policies"
have the united support of the old-line
Republicans But as there are certain
substantial matters as TO which all Re
publcans agree, including the President
SO there are certain substantial mat
ters as TO which all Democrats agree, in
cluding Mr.. Bryan. II the Democratic
party. particularly that portion Of il which
has acquired the habit Of looking at
Bryan from the wrong end. were to cast
about for a few undisputed articles OF
faith our guess is that they might be
found in Mr.. Bryan's speeches, along with
some latter-day APPLICATIONS Of ancient
principles In respect Of the tarifI, TO
cite "A single example Mr. Bryan adheres
to the traditional attitude of his party. II
there are Democrats who profess to be-
lieve that the tariff is the only question
OF any Importance before the country. and
we hear that assertion frequently, why
should they relegate TO limbo a party
| leader cherishing their pet fad. even
though he has a few fads of his own?
/ And so we might go on to make up a
/ very respectable platform containing
enough things. as Mr.. Williams said. 10
/ keep the Democratic party from dissolu-
/ ton.
Mr. Bryan advocates one thing. at least.
| ,hat ought 10 be acceptable 20 all good
citizens. of whatever party. We refer to
the proposal that campaign contributions
and the receipts and expenditures Of cam
paign COMMITTEES should be made public.
! The raising Of campaign funds has reach
ed the proportions Of a grave national
scandal, which ought 10 be dug up by
| the roots. Should he again run for the
/ Presidency. Mr. Bryan promises that his
campaign will be run on an honest basis
no trading Of legislation for financial sup
port no appointments for cash. no prom
! ises Of immunity for a money considera-
ton. Happily, the prospect is for a clean
er national campaign in this regard than
/ for many years past; nevertheless. ii viii
/ be just as we'll TO press for publicity Of
campaign contributions and expenditures.
/ Mr.. Bryan's strength of conviction on this
matter alone ought to atone for many of
]
not try 20 see the good there is in Bryan?
The up-to-date soothing syrup for
/ financial fiurries appears to have been
/ bottled IN bond and almost guaranteed