Evening journal., 1908-04-29
HANDY PLEADS FOR.
GRAY NOMINATION
Tells Kentucky Democrats
Why They Should sup
port DelaWarean
BELIEVESBRYANC CANNOT WIN

In a recent issue Of the Lexington,
Kentucky. Herald. L. Irving Handy, Of
this city. pleads for an uninstructed
delegation from Kentucky to the COM
ing National Democratic Convention.
In the same article Mr.. Handy asks the
Democrats of Kentucky TO support
Judge George Gray for President. The
Della ssrean saws his desire TO see
Juege Gray nominated for the Presi-
dency is not inspired by hostility
toward Mr.. Bryan, but because Of a
firm belief that Judge Gray is the
strongest man in his party to-day, and
that If he is nominated he can be
elected.
Mr.. Handy says in part:
in the first place, the presentation
which Delaware Democrats have made
Of Judge Gray's name is inspired by
no hostility towards Colonel Bryan.
Personally I cherish for the orator and
statesman of Nebraska the warmest
friendship and the highest admiration.
Ny regard for him amounts to ardent
affection. / supported him with en-
thusiasm in 1896.
Like other free silver Democrats
went with him in that campaign
through fires so hot and received joint
ly with him blows so heavy that my
heart was welded to him. But, I SUBJ
nit. the fact that / love and admire
a man is not Of itself sufficient rea-
son why I should advocate his nomi-
nation for the Presidency.
my first proposition is that the
time has come when the Democratic
party needs a national victory. We
have had defeats enough and to spare.
Political defeat is sometimes good for
a party.
"But surely cur party has already
had enough of the chastiRment of de-
feat There is a great political party
in this country which is spelling for a
whipping this very year, but it is not
the Democratic party.
Country Needs Democrats.
my second proposition is that our
country needs a Democratic victory
this year. The Republicans have had
power too long. They have become
corrupt. extravagant and autocratic.
They are actually turning popular gov
ernment into personal government.
I'VE see business and industry wreck
ed and paralyzed. Capital is scared
to death and labor is starving to death
The country needs a change and wants
a change, and the only way to get it is
by a Democratic victory.
"If those two propositions are well
founded, it follows that the Democrats
should nominate for President. not the
man they love the best. but the man
who is most sure to lead the party in
November to the victory it needs-the
victory the country needs.
"My third proposition is that George
GRAY is the Presidential candidate who
can most surely be elected If nomi-
mated. am not one Of those who say
that Colonel BIyan's election is i'm
possible. If he is nominated ] shall
still hope for his election, and If elected
I think he will make a great and wise
PresidenA But the matter is so i'm.
portant that we can not afford TO take
any chances of defeat not absolutely
necessary.
Certainly by nominating Colone
Bryan we multiply chances Of defea'
which We would not have TO take If We
nominates Judge Gray. Let me enum-
crate some of the things which arc
dangerous to Colonel Bryan as a can.
didate.
Things Dangerous to Bryan.
"First-People have formed the bad
habit of voting against Bryan, and
nothing is harder to reform than bad
habit
"Second-Bryan has been defeated
twice. and a great many active and
loyal party men think his election i'm.
possible. His domination will dis
courage such. and the discouraged arr
already whipped.
"Third-Bryan has talked and writ
ten so much That he is exposed to at
tack from many sides Nobody Ia.
spoken better or more brilliantly thar
he, but the output has been too grea
to be safe in a campaign.
Bryan Program Too Long.
"Fourth-Bryan has been fruitful II
definite and elaborate programs fo
governmental policies on all sorts o
subjects. I admit that all of his prop
ositions have been inspired bp patriot
ic purposes. but all may not have beel
equally wise or popular.
''Fifth-Brvan is misunderstood b.
business men. who are genuinely afrai'
of him and think he has come to de