New-York tribune., 1907-11-15

Gratis have advocated before them, and thu
Democrats cannot afford TO surrender their Do
sitiOn because the Republicans give a partial
Endorsement to a few Democratic doctrines n
the Republicans nominate one who straddIes ths
issues and attempts to take both sides IL is mona
the less necessary for the Democratic party to
make an aggressive fight The action OF the
Republican convention may have its influence
In the determining of the relative availability ~
Democratic candidates. but il ought not TO have
any influence in determining the question
whether the one chosen by the Democrats should
accept the nomination. If the rank and file Of
the Democratic party desire Mr. Bryan to make
the race he will make it, matter who may be
the Republican nominee
1t has also been charged that Mr.. Bryan was
waiting TO ascertain the chances Of victory
ready 20 run II the outlook seemed bright OF To
refuse to run IL the chances seemed unfavor-
able THIS charge. like the other. is without
toundatlon. No one can estimate the chances ot
the party In the next campaign with suficient
accuracy 10 make his candidacy dependent upon
the outlook. While Democrats have reason 20
be encouraged by the fact that Democratic prin>
ciple5 have grown in popularity and that Demos
cratic policies are now praised by many who de-
ther encouragement is to be derived from tha
fact that the Democratic party is more united
than II has been for many years and the Re-
publican party more divided. still the action of
the Democratic party cannot be made dependent
upon the prospect OF success The prospects
now seem excellent. but a Democratic national
convention will be held. platform adopted and
candidates nominated whether the prospects ara
bright or gloomy, and the partv must make ths
best fight IL can whether it enters the can1pafgn
with fear or with confidence. Democrats be-
lieve that Democratic principles are sound and
should therefore indorse those principles and
present those policies and then select as theis
candidates those who, in their Judgment, viii
give the party the greatest assurance OF success
IN the campaign. and the country the greatest
assurance OF benefit in case OF victory.
DEFEAT NO DISGRACE
No man can ask for nomination as a cornpli-
ment If his nomination will not benefit the
party. and no Democrat would be justified in
refusing nomination if his party demanded his
services and If the members Of the p9rty- be-
lieve that Mr.. Bryan's nomination VIII help the
party, its principles and its policies he viii ac-
cept the nomination. whether the indications
point to defeat or victory. y defeat can bring
no disgrace where the cause is a Just one but
cowardice would be disEraCeful. especially in
one who is as deeply indebted to his party as
Mr.. Bryan Is.
Just word more. The next campaign VIII be
an appeal 10 the public conscience. The IN
vestigations have shown not only the corrupt
use Of large campaign funds. but the only source
from which they can be drawn, namely-ths
corporations that seek 10 convert the govern
ment into a business asset. The Democratic
party stands for the doctrine Of equal rights TO
all and special privileges to none. and therefOrs
cannot promise favOrs to favor seeking corpora
tions. If 1t made such promises TO the corpora
tionS 1t would he guilty of duplcity. for Il
would have to betray the voters. as the Repub-
lican party has done. in order TO reward these
corporations as the Republican party has re-
warded them. The Democratic campaign must
be carried on by volunteers who will work be-
cause they desire the triumph OF Democratic
ideas. We cannot hope TO appeal to the sordld
or to buy the purchasable, even if such a course
would contribute toward Democratic success.
No one should favor Mr.. Bryan's nomination
unless the party is willing 20 open its books
and show where its contributions come from
and for what the money is expended. The Re-
publican party ought TO be challenged to con-
duct It's campaign in this open and honest way
and II the Republican leaders refuse to accepr
the challenge the Democrats can we'll anord 20
leave the issue with the public. An appeal 10
conscience is politically expedient. as well as
morally right. for the conscience is the mosI
potent force with which man deals. The na.
tional conscience has already been aroused anu
a large majority OF the voters have been ecu
Gated to the necessity for real refOrul-a REFORM
that will make this government again gov
OF the people, by the people and toc
the people IT only remains for the Democrauo
party to convince the voters that 1t can be IN
trusted with the work of reform. and nOthlns
Will do more 10 convince the public than re-
fusaI to negotiate with predatory wealth and an
honest appeal by honest methods to the hOnesa
sentiment OF the country.