The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-03-26
BRYAN. THE INEVITABLE.

No other living man has posed more
tirelessly as the eXpounder or Jeffer-
sonian Democracy than William Jen-
nings Bryan. On each successive birth
day ofithe Monticello sage Mr.. Bryan
has been accustomed to explain not
only what. Thomas Jefferson stood for in
his day and generation, but the Nebras-
ka statesman has solved, to his own
satisfaction at least, just how jefferson
would have adopted his precepts and
formulas to the condition of this day.
There is not the least difficulty in know
ing what Jefferson would do, if he were
now on earth, if only the seeker after
light onithis particular subject is will
ing to take Mr. Bryan's word for it.
The news is, therefore, bewildering
that the.Natlonal Democratic Club, an
organization having its base in New
York city, but which is supposed to rep
resent Democratic sentiment and aspir-
alton prevalent over wide Eastern
area has ignored Bryan and invited in
stead Gov. John Johnson, of Minnesota.
to eXpound Jeffersonian ideals on the
approaching anniversary of the founder
of the faith. 1t is all the more bewild-
ering when regarded in conjunction
with theifact that the developing signs
are all pointing to the Nebraska apostle
as the inevitable third-time standard
bearer of the Democracy in the ap-
preaching presidential race. There is
small room for doubt at this time that
Mr.. Bryan is to be the presidential
nominee of his party at the Denver con
vention, and the New York snub does
not lose, but rather gains, in significance
in view of this fact
1t means that the conservative East
ern element of the Democracy is not for
Bryan, and will not be for him. even
though he should be nominated next
July with rush and hurrah. The
New York:World has persistently been
urging upon the Nebraska candidate
the question, What states could YOU
carry in 1908 that you failed to carry in
1902 The query as test of availa-
bility is not an altogether fair one. If
Mr.. Bryan should answer frankly and
honestly, he must acknowledge that
there is not single state which he lost
in 1900 which he could probably carry
IN l9O8-that is, he must answer thus If
his superabundant egotism did not get
the better Of his judgment. The unfair
ness OF the test when directed against
Bryan exclusively consists in the fact
that it applies just as pertinently to
every other one of the Democratic DOS
sibilities whose name has been mention
ed in connection with the candidacy for
the presidency.
In 1904 the Eastern wing of the De-
mocracy had an inning in the nomina.
ton OF Judge Parker, and the popular
majority against the candidate Of the
so-called Cleveland Democracy in the
entire vote was 2,545, 900, whereas il
was only $4,000 against Bryan in 1900.
1t is argued in some quarters that
Governor John Johnson, of Minnesota,
would carry his own state if he should
be nominated as the Democratic stand
ard-bearer. This is assumed because
ne was elected governor in 1906 by 8
plurality of 10000. But, as offsettine
this, Minnesota went Republican in the
presidential year Of 1904 by plurality
OF l6l, 900. Local reasons played part
in the gubenatorial election, which
would not aid the Governor as presi
dental candidate. The Democracy ha.
searched in vain for an answer to thai
other troublesome query, 'If not Bryar
-who?" There is none other in thc
reckoning. The finger of destiny point,
inevitably to the Peerless One"