New-York tribune., 1908-07-08
I false as those of material loss have thus far
pgr nEuoCRA4.o CONVENTION.

The Democratic National Convention which
met Yesterday In Denver Will probably be re-
rnernhered as one of the tamest and most color
less gatherings in the history of the party.
Democratic politicians dearly love a fight, but
at Denver the materials and incentives for
good family row have been sadly lacking Inc
Democratic politicians humbled and wary
Most of them are glad to be allowed to live
and earn a modest livelihood; for between the
great dictator of Lincoln, Neb.-the man whom
one of them has just peevishly descrlDeo as
1.-The most mpudent domineering, devastating
..boss the Democratic party has ever known
and the Democratic rank and fle to whom ne
appeals over the heads of the smaller leaders.
these unlucky middemen have been ground as
between an upper and a neither milestone Ii
they could have their own way they Woulo
not nominate Mr.. Bryan for President But
at Denver they are anxious only to avoid the
appearance of openly antagonizlng MI Bryan
leadership and policies. letting polite L dare
not wait upon q valiant Il would like the
Door cat in the adage.
There has been no Democratic National Con-
vention In recent years at which the party
leaders have cut so poor hgure. Inc coh'eh-
tions of 1880 1884 and 1896 gave free play TO
the leaders In 1888 Mr.. Cleveland was renoml-
mated by acclamation because the Southern ana
message of 1887 he had committed himself 10
their radical policies. His renominatlon III
1892 was accomplished in the face or nltter OPP
position Mr. Bryan was renominated IN ISVo
without a dissenting vote. But the convention
did not acknowledge his dictatorship repudl-
ated his candidate for Vice-President ana came
near rejecting his demand that the Tree SILVER
coinage declaration Of 1896 should De rear
firmed. In 1904 Judge Parker was nominated
without difficulty. but a vigorous opposltlon
,leveloned within the convention, and, winning
d victory in the resolutions coInnlttee' lorceu
him to write his gold standard telegram and
fins created dfssensons which helped TO ag-
gravate his defeat This year at Denver there
is no organized opposition TO Bryan and Bry-
anisn. nor are there any leaders on the GROUND
who could take advantage Of any spirit OF
rebellion if it did exist
Who are the Democratic leaders at Den
yer? BENJAMIN F. Tillman, Joseph w. Balies.
Charles A. Culberson, John Sharp Nllilans
and Isidor Ravner have absented themselves
John W. Daniel Thomas S. Martin and L. NJ
simmons were elected delegates only AFTER
their state conventions had rejected their lead
ership and tied them fast with instructions lol
Rrvan. Charles F. Murphy represents New
York: James NJ Guffey, Pennsylvania; James
smith. New Jersey; Roger Sullivan Illinois;
George Fred Williams. Massachusetts; Thomas
Taggart Indiana; Henry Watterson ana D. W.
q Reckbam. Kentucky, and Harvey G. CARRIER
Ohio. Fred T. Dubois is the head OF con-
testing delegation from Idaho, ana frahcls w.
Navlands heads the delegation from Nevada
What a contrast this list presents with the
array OF active aggressive, militant pohtlclahS
who used 10 make Democratic conventions
qtadiatorial arena in which real SWORDS were
crossed spd real issues were decided! No other
Democratic National Convention, we venture
to sav. has contained so small percentage as
does that at Denver of men equipped by pollt-
icaI experience and talents TO cope with ma
tionaI issues and to make plans for the welfare
of great national party
This condition undoubtedly rehects the gen
eral condition of the Democracy. 1t is dw1nd-
Inc in vitality as well as in numbers, and It's
leaders are becoming less potential and more
narochial Mr.. Bryan now so completely ooml-
mates the party as TO dwarf all colnpeu'io
and opposition. 1t has become his personal
asset but he has also become its only aFah-
able political asset.