The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-20

history that politics makes strange
bed-fellows, and there are already
i sufficient Indications in the presi-
dental struggle just launched that
the saying still lives. Grover
Cleveland Is gone, but many of those
who We're close to him are expressing
the belief that had he lived through the
present campaign he would have given
his support to the nominees OF the
Democratic convention. Ben TNlman
of South Carolina, who was one OF
| Cleyeland's bitterest enemies when the
Sage Of Princeton was serving his Sec
ond term as President of the United
Sta ties. issued statement just before
leaving for Italy. where he Is now seek
Ing to recuperate his health, that his
tory would record the former Chief
statesmen America had produced in his
generation. And so, frequently after
the heat and storm OF strenuous poll
teal battle, men soften in their feel
ings toward one another and become
fast personal and political friends.
Some Striking instances.
Hoke Smith, Of Georgia, was in Mr..
Cleveland'ss second Cabinet. He held
strongly to the ideas and principles
enuncated by his chief, but he is
now one OF the foremost Bryan leaders
in the South.
Judscsl Harmon, OF Cincinnati, was
Clevcland's Attorney-Generalj but he
is now q warm Bryan supporter. He is
the Democratic nominee for Governor
Of the Buckeye State, and in case Bryan
pulls through for the presidency, Har-
man is already freely talked of Tor Sec
rotary OF State In his Cabinet.
Richard Olney, Of Massachusetts, an.
other Cleveland Cabinet officer, Is out
for Bryan. and Judge Alton b. Parker,
who ran for tho presidency four years
ago as the representative OF the anti
Bryan wing OF the Democracy, has an
inounced that he will take the stump
In the interest OF the nominees of the
Denver convention. This Is but a par
tial statement Of the case.
Many instances could be cited of
men. who In 1885, and perhaps in 1900
supported Mr.. Bryan, and who are now
lined up against him. But 1t all goes
to show that amid the shifting scenes
of politics men are prone to change
their affiliations and to find new align
ments now and then in their search
after what they believe would be a
better administration Of the affairs
OF the nation.
Many New Leaders.
The recent convention which nomi-
mated Bryan and Kern brought many
new leaders to the front. and on their
shoulders the real brunt OF the inn
pending battle will rest.
Thomas F. Gore, the blind Senator
from Oklahoma, and Governor Haskell,
of the same State, Will BIO distinguished
figures in the campaign. Ollie NJ.
James, OF Kentucky. will be another.
and eX-Congressman John +, Lamb, of
Indiana, will be still another. Then
there will be Theo. A. Bell, OF Cali
fornia, who. as temporary chairman Of
the convention, made perhaps the best
presiding officer who has ever welded
ID gavel over national party gathers
ing in this country. And here one
cannot refrain from making a COM
tparison Bell took the chair at the
opening. and after delivering one of
the ablest party declarations ever
heard on n similar occasion, he pro-
sided for at least two days before the
convention was permanently organic
ed. He held the great throng as II In