The Washington herald., 1908-07-12
POLITICAL COMMENT.

The New York Press gives fair warning
70 It's Republican brethren that the COM
Ing Presidential battle Is going 10 be a
mighty hard fight. 1t points out that the
Democrats are well armed and resolute
10 win. Their leader Is slSillful, resource
ful. and aggressive. The Press says:
Never in the history OF the Democratic
party has contest within its ranks end
ed In convention so harmonious as the
one which will give William Jennings
Bryan his third nomination for the Presi-
dency. Against the irresistible demand Of
three-fourths of the delegates the voice
OF the overwhelmed minority has faded
away 10 hardly a whisper. Warning ele-
ments Of the party on every hand have
been conciliated. The deepest wounds
have been healed. Newspapers and lead
ers who openly bolted Bryan in his first
two campaigns are now coming to his aid
Apparently they are convinced that there
will be nothing in the platform 20 forbid
their return to the ranks OF their organ
Ization.
Unlike 1896 and 1900. Bryan IN 1905 has
no policy which is repulsive TO any large
body OF voters protesting the Democratic
faith. On the other hand. he will cause
to be adopted for the platform some fea-
lures highly attractive TO voters of all
parties"
The Springfield Union also thinks that
Mr.. Bryan is an antagonist who will let
the Republicans know they have been in
a fight. 1t says:
Mr.. Bryan is a vigorous American, He
has lived clean life. and nothing can be
said against his personal character. He
is an antagonist worthy OF the Republican
party's best effort. and nothing whatever
is gained by representing him as a
mountebank, or a charlatan. 1t will not
do for the Republican party 20 under
estimate his strength. His popular vote
in 1896 Of 6565.925 and in 1900 Of 635s. .l33
was never before equaled by a Democratic
candidate. In fact. Mckinley and Roose-
velt alone OF all the candidates for the
Presidency received a greater vote than
Mr.. Bryan received twelve and eight
years ago. This man. then. is no mean
antagonist, and his candidacy cannot be
laughed down"
The Pittsburg Post has a word OF ad-
miration for the Keynote" speech OF
Theodore A Bell, which, Il thinks, was
constructive as well as cOndemnatory OF
the Republican mistakes. II thinks that
Theodore A. Bell. Of California. as tenn
porary chairman OF the Democratic con-
vention. MADE a keynote speech that de-
serves careful perusal II had the vigor
Of fresh assertion and positive conviction,
and II gave way 20 none Of the soporiac
influences OF quotation from party fossils
which was the prostrating feature OF his
! Chicago competitor. julius Caesar Bur
rows. Mr.. Bell mercilessly flayed the Re
publican pretense OF achievement and ex-
hibited vividly the 'bisected' control which
the election OF Taft would produce. But
leaving this rhetorical success of his
strong effort, the branch demanding most
sedate consideration is the assertion Of
the affirmative propositions for which
Democracy VIII stand. We all must yield
20 the ultimate idea that demolition is an
| easier task than construction. and the
latter is what the people care most TO
| scrutinize. The orator was exceptionally
forcible, and acquitted himself mainly
without Just criticism and stirred the
Democratic heart and convinced the Dem
ocratic mind"
The Knoxville Sentinel finds the courage
OF Mr., Bryan in frankly expressing his
convictions worthy Of praise. II says:
But whatever may be said Of the great
Democratic leader, this must be said TO
his credit. that he never refrains from ex-
pressing his convictions. In a county
I u 10 T.
agement OF public affairs. it is fortunate
that public men speak out upon all oues-
tions OF public policy II is only by can
did discussion that any material or per
nanent progress is made. II is certain
that Mr.. Bryan. in the twelve years that
he has been national figure and trusted
leader, has not held his peace when he
| felt that his counsels might be helpful"
The Atlanta Georgian Is inclined 70
laugh at the idea that Mr.. Taft NAV
hope TO break up the solid South. II
says:
Taft aims TO break the solid South
says the Chicago Post. Oh, he does!
/ Well, here is a tip: The only man who
| had the ghost OF a show 10 rip old De-
/ mocracy loose from her moorings down
| GeuUDllCan
tag, Is going away 10 do some shooting IN
Africa"
! The Rochester Herald INDUCES in a
little ironic fun at the expense Of Mr..
! Tart for the employment of Boss Cox. Of
Cincinnati, who was formerly so bitterly
| condemned. It says:
And something reminds US OF the great
rascal Boss Cox. Of Cincinnati. When
Secretary Taft was not yet a candidate
for the Presidential nomination. Mr.. Cox
was assuredly a great rascal. We are
certain Of this. because Mr. Taft himself
said IT, But since Mr.. Taft. under the
tutelage OF Mr.. Roosevelt. began 10 see
MS way clear 70 the Presidency. the uses
or such rascal as Cox have become an
parent Nothing more is heard from the
fearless champion OF purity in Ohio ooIi-
| Tics about suppressing the evil influence
OF Cox That influence is now EMPLOYED
m righteous cause.-the election OF Mr.
Iatt-end who will dare say that II has
not been purged and sanctifed?
II ought not TO be true, but II is. and
has Oeen Tor long time in this vale of
w1ckedness and tears, that IL makes a
| heap OF difference whose OK Is pored .,
The New York Sun IS jubnant because
Mr. Taft has more than bettered Mr..
Bryan's suggestions as to publicity in
regard to campaign expenses. Il says:
Az the game OF putting Taft in
hole,' the most eminent resident Of Ne
oraska Is not shining success. He sug-
gested that Mr. Taft join him in urging
congress TO pass a campaign fund pub
licity law, only to be informed that Mr..
Taft had done this very thing some weeks
before. Mr.. TAFT is a large, stout man.