Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-11-05
THE VERDICT.


dict:
The presidential contest OF 1908
has passed into history. The cohor
OF Democracy have been driven from
the field. Once more the flag OF Re-
publican ism waves in the sunlight
of a far-reaching victory. And once
more the American people bow all
readily and quietly to the imperial
edict OF the majority voice.
The News is not at this time pos
sessed OF information sufficiently
comprehensive and accurate to CON
slider the how" and the why" and
the wherefore" of 1t all. Suffice
it to know that the die has been
cast, and that four years must roll
around, ere Democracy can essay
another fight with view of dislodg-
ing the party In power.
Be II said, however, that such a
fight will be made. The Democratic
party stands for principles which
are right-eternally right-and be-
cause OF this; because righteous
principles should never die, the
Democratic party will survive. 1t is
today an organization essential 20
the preservation OF the republic az
a republic. Without Its agency.
even though it must perforce take
on the nature of mere opposi it on,
the federalstic tendencies of the
Republican party would soon sweep
this country far from the moorings
OF free government, into the status
OF federal Capitalization SO pro-
nounced and SO all-absorbing and
| all-powerful, as to leave popular
sovereignty but the dignity of a
name, but the place of a memory.
1t still stands, although defeated,
does Democracy, as a force in public
affairs that Is needed TO at least
sound the voice OF protest; to strike
the note of alarm and assert OBJ
struction as far az in 1t lies, when
ever the venal aggressions of mo-
aopoly and selfish money Interests
| of the nation seek to strengthen
the!r hold upon the reins Of public
affairs.
| Mr.. Bryan's defeat spells not ,.e.
feat Of his cause. save In temporary
sense. In the years and decades
that lie ahead, Democracy will new.
or be without mission-never with.
out reason to live and carry on The
fight OF the common people against
the forces that war against -hC.I
veal. and would hold them n the
bonds OF industrial servitude.
| Deplore the result of Tuesdays
election as we may, we still conf.
IDENTIFY look forward 20 bhe lin.
when the people will be cow lcai
that only through the party OF JEFF
ferson and Jackson; or Tilden, and
Cleveland. and Bryan, can national
safety and happiness. AMI fairly
distributed prosperity be had.
THE BRYAN OF TOMORROW.
The News OF course deeply re-
grets the defeat of Mr.. Bryan. It's
heart at this hour is with the great
Nebraskan, as in his far western
home he is confronted with not only
the downfall OF his personal aspira-
lions, but the triumph also OF those
principles which he believes bode Ill
for the republic, and with the de-
feat OF the great reform doctrines
Tor which he has so long stood, and
for whose supremacy he has waged
such superb battle. Millions of his
loyal supporters Throughout: the
land and the News is one of them,
sorrow with him In the hour of h s
discontinue, even as they would
have enthusiastically rejoiced with
him In the Joy OF victory. And they
do not think less of the man, nor
| measure the stature OF his great in
diViduality as losing aught in lofty
attributes, by reason of his own de-
feat. oh, No. They know and
Bryan knows that among the talest
and most renowned and most re-
Vered figures in American history,
are men who never succeeded I'm
scaling the highest heights of poli.-
ical Dreferment. The names of
many of the presidents may be for
gotten, but the memory of Daniel
webster will live Throughout: The
coming generatlons--as well as that
OF Henry Clay, the most brilliant
and accomplished commoner of his
day; as well as that OF Calhoun. the
great South Carollnean whose name
massive intellect and broad reach
OF craftsmanship and far-seeing pa
triotism left An ennobllng impress
upon American history which Meth
er time nor change can eface. All
these men sought and vainIy sough:
the presidency. BE ause they did
not succeed, has detracted naught
from their fame, nor dwarfed pub
lie recognition OF their enduring SER
vice In tho cause OF good govern.
ment and ;he general uplift.
And so we say OF Bryan:
n N0