The Delta independent., 1908-08-14
IAm ''H".

FL. j. FROTHINGHAM.
Am "H''.
AUSTIN, Colo.
ED. INDEPENDENT:
1t is not often an individual, in this
country, sets himself up as the "whole
cheese" No one laying claim to
craftsmanship or patriotism would. 1t
might be excused in King or Emper-
or. While Mr.. Bryan has not declared
himself, in words and sentences, to be
1.-The Democratic party, to be the
''it' of the whole organization, yet his
actions, his whole course for the past
twelve years, naturally leads one to
the conclusion that he imagines the
Democratic party, and the country at
large, will go to the "demnition bow
vows" if he is not put to the fore"
and given direction of affairs. His po-
litical egotism and vaulting ambition
have been fiattered and intensified by
certain followers" "swashbuckl lers'',
as Mr.. Hearst calls them. For in
stance: Mr.. Dave Days Durango
Democrat says, among other equally
absurd things: "His executive ability
is a like marvel, his hold upon the
Common people has not been duplicated
since the days of Christ. His honesty
is that of Lincoln" No wonder Mr..
Bryan imagines vain things when he is
likened to the Son of God, and in the
next sentence comparing him to the
martyred Lincoln. While Mr.. Bryan
in private life may have like qualities
of honesty, yet politically (and it is
only as politician | speak of him),
Mr.. Lincoln and Mr.. Bryan are almost
as dissimilar as Bryan and Cleveland.
The latter was a Democrat and the
people expected the usual blunders in
cident to Democratic administration,
but with Mr.. Bryan no one, unless
gifted with Divine Omniscience, can
tell what his next "fad" or para
mount issue would be.
Mr.. Bryan's first nomination was a
surprise, and was the result of his
"Crown of Gold" speech, prepared and
delivered for purpose, and he would
have been badly disappointed if the
bait" had not been taken by the dele
gates. In 1896 he almost forced his
nomination, and agreed to lay aside his
crown of gold and make the race on
other issues, keeping silver well in the
background. In the first race he was
beaten 100000, and in the second one
300, 900. His "hold" upon the Common
people did not seem to be "cinched".
In both campaigns Mr.. Bryan formu-
lated the platform and the issues, to
the disgust of thousands of Democrats.
How was it at the recent convention
at Denver? That he dominated the
convention all admit. He selected the
temporary and permanent officers, die
tated the platform and the selection of
the National Committee, and the can
didate for Vice-President. Nothing
was done without consulting him, and
when any delegation, or set of dele
gates, did not respond kindly to his
dictation, the "steam roller was
brought into play, in some cases, while
in others like New York and Colorado,
the suppliant knee was bowed, and
concessions made.
Why was this complete obedience
to the dictates of one man by the great
Democratic party? At best it is only a
guess. But two solutions present
themselves One that the majority of
the delegates really thought Mr.. Bryan
had show to be elected, Ia violent
presumption) or the party becoming
tired of Mr.. Bryan's dictation, nomin-
ated him with the hope and expecta-
tion of his being so badly beaten that
he will be entirely eliminated from pol
itics in the future.
That his defeat in the present cam
paign will be fully as disastrous as tire
first one is generally conceded by all
who watch the trend of events, and
! are posted on the political vagaries of
the distinguished "third timer"
Having abandoned free silver, govern
ment ownership of railroads, tele-
J graphs and other public utilities, they
being undemocratic, he takes up free