Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-05-15
NV he cling Register.l

w neeilng Register.
William Jennings Bryan, twice a
candidate of the democracy for the
presidency, and third time candi-
date for the nominal on, as might be
expected, has strong opposition within
his party.
Nominees for high honors who have
been twice defeated iD succession are
apt to loose prestige among their fol-
lowers. The fault may not be with the
nominee; any other candidate might
not have made as good run, because
concentration of ad verse eli rcum-
stances made it impossible for any
man to be elected. These unfavorable
conditions, however do not, with MANY
followers, excuse defeat They do not
leok into cause and effect deeply They
neither have the time nor inclination;
results are to them the key to the sit
uatioD. If the nominee is unsuccess
ful, he is unfortunate--a Jonah who
must be thrown overheard to save tn e
ship. Rank superstition invades the
realm of politics as readily as it enters
Into the heads of tribe of Piutes. To
this element it is enough for them to
know Bryan was defeated twice and
if he were ah archangel hewould not be
winner
The Register takes little stock IL
either of these intangible theories. Mr..
Bryan's success or defeat if he be NOM
mated third time will not hinge on
such nonsense. He is leader of re-
cognized ability; he has attracted to
him large and enthusiastic follow
Ing, whose faith in his integrity. ca
pacity and strength is mistaken by
past reverses or present bitter OPPOSE
ton. If they prove to be in the as
cendsnt it is but natural for Mr. BRYAN
to appreciate the honor His ambition
is be president is honorable. If This
ambition IS literally nourished bv his
admirers all overthe country he would
be specimen of an American not
to honorably profit by it.
Looking backward and over Mr..
Bryan's career since he was first nom
mated, there is much to admire in his
energy, intelligence and honesty. He
may have been impracticable in some
of his views, or too radical in Others IN
suit conservative democracy, but few
will deny that there is not u marked
change in these particulars, born no
doubt from increased years and wider
observation. 1t may be said with GER
taInty that he is now more conserva.
tive In many respects than the pre- !
sent White House incumbent.
But the patent thing, that which is |
so conspicuous, AMI which elevates
Mr. Bryan in the estimation of the
people, is that he has not shrunk from
or leadership in the past
II years. He has fought and contip-
les to fight the battles of the party.
and preac1 democracy as he under
stands 1t, from the housetops, ard un-
everywhere. By day and |
by night he Is in the sadddIe-never
tired, fighting the open and covert
enemies both outside and inside of |
his party. And he does it with mas /
-ery and good nature that provokes
and makes converts.
Under All the circumstances why I
should he surrender the standard that |
ne SO ably defends against al foes to
some one who has as yet scarcely made |
visible iii defense of the whole
sale assaults upon democratic prinei-
pies? In scanning the horIzon in all /
quarters the Register IS Unable to dis
;ern fighter who has shown that he
possesses presidential qualities that
match those OF The Nebraskan.
Would it beeither fair or good policy
20 side track-if that were even possi-
5ibie-the candidate who has vet to
iinch or wince when called to the fir
ng line, ana who has given us nearly
all the powder we possess to fight the
,ommon enemy?
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