The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-12-28
WEEKLY LETTER FROM
THE NATIONS CAPITAL
Friends Of William Jennings Bryan Have Staked
Their Political Future on His Being Nominated
and Elected-An Early Democratic Conven-
ton Will be in Order.

and In many Other matters. DOeSn'I
| 1t logically follow, therefore, that
he is unfit, by reason of his i'm
prudence and indiscretion, to be
the Chief Executive of nation like
oursY Let this question be ans
| wired by every Democrat for
himself, remembering Jefferson IS
declaration that every officeholder
thigh or low, should be faithful,
competent. and honest. For, surely.
no imprudent, hasty, vote seeking
man is competent. And II he is
incompetent, the more faithful and
honest he is, the more certainly
will his incompetency lead him and
those who outrust their affairs to
/ his care into misfortune and ruin.
The very essence of politics is
prudence. The word politics signi-
fies prudence. Why, then, should
any great party select for its lead
er an imprudent man?
The Democratic party cannot be
united on such new and un-Dem-
ocratic policies. To attempt to
force such down the throats Of
Democrats will dsunite instead OF
uniting the party. We can agree
upon essentials that have been test
ed and that the people believe
in, and it would appear to be
political wisdom to lay aside these
"new ideasn until a more conven-
lent season There are any num-
/ ber of Democratic from which
could be selected a candidate who
would unite the party. Governor
johnson of Minnesota, or Folk OF
Missouri, or iHoke Smith. OF
Georgia, who was here few
Judge Harmon, OF Ohio, Senator
Daniel OF Virginia, or Senator
lCulberson of Texas. either of
these no Democrat could refuse to
follow. and many others might be
named. None of those Demorcats
I, would have to defend their posi-
tion on grave public policies. and
thus place the Democratic party
on the defensive. Political unrest
Is everywhere, AS far as the Demo-
cracy is concerned, 1t would not
seem to be the best policy to add
to 1t. Governor Hoke Smith of
GeorgiaG, who was here a few
days ago, after having attended to
some private business in New York
said he found "the conditions have
brought about political chaos.
No one knows what to expect.
and no one can speak authorita-
lively as to the outlook.n - Cover
nor Smith ds great lawyer and
la competent business man, and no
one is better able to guage public
sentiment as 1t exists today. During
the coming months before the Nat
ional Conventions are held. there
may perhaps be settling and
clarifying of conditions which
may pont out the necessary politi-
cal road to travel Those Demo-
cratic State Conventions that se-
, lect delegates to the National
Convention at an early date canpo,
but take notice of the prevailing
political chaos. Prudence would
seem to instruct them to select the
most reliable and able members
or the party and without instruc.
uons leave them to deal with
| the changed political conditions
that may prevail when the conven
!, ton meets which may Indicate the
best policy as to platform and
candidates. The friends of Mr.
Bryan and of others who are
mentioned cannot object to hav
ing their qualifications to win be
, Ing left to the great leaders of thu
| party from every state, who mus
be the best judges of who car
2 achieve success.
ROBERT MILLER.