New-York tribune., 1908-02-11
THE 1901 "LEADER."

Our alert and friendly contemporary The
New York World seems inclined to add the
query "Who led the Democratic party in 19o4!'
TO its two other long standing and still unan-
swered noIitica. conundrums, what is a DEM
ocrat?' and .Shal the Democratic party die!
We expressed our surprise last week at the ap-
pearance in Tho Map of Organism. pam
phlet issued by The World" of this rather re-
markable statement:
In 1904 with Judge Parker S the candidate,
but with you [Mr. Bryant still the actual leader
of the party every Populist state, every doubt
fuI state and several Democratic states were
carried by Mr.. Roosevelt.
This attribution of leadership to Mr.. Bryan
seemed to us to be something in the nature of an
historical afterthought and when we quoted ex-
tracts from THE Worlds" own editorials TO SHOW
that at the time of Judge Parker's nomination II
had expressed the opinion that the judge was
"a leader who leads" and had become by an
"act of splendid honor and courage as much the
platform of his party and the embodiment of
cts purpose and policy President Roosevelt
lis of the Republican party" our neighbor ex-
planned that 1t had only temporarily and in a
moment of over-enthusiasm committed itself to
that sadly mistaken point of view. 1t now
asserts that its dellision was shortlived. that il
soon discovered that instead of being a leader
who led Judge Parker was only "a leader who
followed a long distance in the rear
We do not ourselves think that Judge Parker
magnetic. inspiring or resourceful poft-
ical leader. Evidence of dissatisfaction among
Democrats with his generalship was abundant
before the campaign of 1904 half finished.
''The World" did complain and then of his
shortcomings Yet once having been acclaimed
as leader and platform well as candidate it
was impossible to dethrone him or TO shift the
leadership to other shoulders. We can certainly
find no record of any movement in which "The
World participated to send Judge Parker to
the rear and to retransfer the actual leader
ship to Mr.. Bryan.
SO far as THE World" in the course Of the
1904 campaign found it necessary to reinforce
the Parker leadership it drew on its own re-
sources and not on those OF Mr.. Bryan. The
candidates speech of acceptance had displeased
the anti-imperialists because Of the vagueness Of
its pledge of independence to the Fipinos. THE
World insisted that the declaration in favor of
independence should have been palmer. and at
last Judge Parker wrote a letter TO John G.
Miburn, in which he interpreted his earlier ut
terance and considerably strengthened it. This
was vicrory for our neghbor over THE Times
and The Brooklyn Eagle" which had Jointly
maintained that the earlier and vaguer treat
ment entirely satisfactory. On August %
The World said:
Judge Parker has stated his own position and
that of the safe and sane" anti-imperialists in
manner that defines this issue sharply for the
campaign. II makes Judge Parker's at
utude toward imperialism as plain as his IA
nous dispatch to the St Louis convention made
his attitude toward the gold standard.
Apparently at the end of August Judge Parker
still leading. in The Worlds opinion. with
something of his original force and daring. He
may have been largely influenced by The
Worlds suggestions but there indica-
tion that he had passed the reins of party d-
rection back 10 the Hon. William J. Bryan. On
August - The World appealed to Judge
Parker to overrue the programme favored by
ex-senator David B. Hill, of nominating
straight judicial ticket in this state instead of
uniting with the Republicans to elect Edgar
NJ Cullen to the chief iudgeship of the
Court of Appeals Judge Parker gave heed 10
this sensible advice and joint nomination was
made with his sanction. Even as late as Sep
tember 26 The World" seemed TO think that the
Democratic candidate was still alive and active
not enveloped in the fatal gloom of judicial
dignity" 1t said on that date:
Both President Roosevelt and Judge Parker
in the intervals between their speeches and their
letters OF acceptance, have gained in clearness.
confidence and force The difference is that
this increased vigor has carried Mr. Roosevelt
into reckless swashbuckling while it has taken
Mr.. Parker just far enough to free him from the
charge Of undue caution and leave him standing
lIiii4 Oh d Sane, courageous ana honest puDllC
policy.
He standing firm and "The Word' was
standing firm behind him-or beside him. Mr.
Bryan was apparently still hull down on the
horizon. Moreover, it was on "The Worlds"
urgent suggestion that Mr.. Parker late in Octo-
Der made his charges of unholy alliance be-
tween the trusts and the Republican National
Committee-charges which fell to the ground
when they were denied by President Roosevelt
Did Mr. Bryan as actual leader" really dictate
that attack? If he did not, what did he do in
the whole Presidential campaign to show his
control Of the party and its policies? There
seems TO be generous disposition to pass along
the credit for the Democratic campaign manage
ment In 1904 Who is destined TO go down TO
history as the leader In that memorable fiasco?