New-York tribune., 1908-09-01
Mr.. CLETEL4ND-s LAST WORD.

Mr. f-laveland's last werd to the American
r,eonle will not give much comfort to the Cleve-
land Democrats who have been trying to per-
shade themselves that the antagonsms between
Rrvanism and Clevelandism have disappeared
merely because Mr.. Bryan has recently sought
TO strengthen himself in the East by making a
few conservative speeches. Mr.. Cleveland did
not hurry 10 the steamer landing in this city
two years ago 10 greet Mr.. Bryan as convert
TO conservatism because he had published an
academicallv anti-socialistic article in THE
Century Magazine" The ex-President had
studied Rryanism for many years and was not
TO he deceived by the chance flying of a mis-
understood signal He realized that the new
Rrvsp' of July and August. 1906 WAS a pure
figment of the imagination. and he was as little
prepared when he wrote out his views on fhe
political situation just before his death to de
Iuie himself with the idea that Mr.. Bryan as
a Presidential candidate in 1868 could change
his spots and appeal with success to Democrats
who still held fast 10 the anti-Populistic theory
Of Democracy.
The ex-President wrote with n clear fore
knowledge of the situation as it then promised
TO develop. and discounting the three essential
facts of the nomination Of Taft. the nomination
of Bryan and the secession of the Indepen-
dence party. he could see nothing ahead but In
evitable Republican victory. He said with
what was intended TO be impartial and sci
entific judgment:
When it became apparent that Mr. Taft would
be the nominee of his party, that Mr.. Hearst
and his party would make a ciean-cut effort
for enIplacement as a national factor and not
endeavor TO gain any immediate advantage for
themselves by any such process "a fusion-in
fact would seek to destroy Bryanism. rather
Mr. Bryan's hold the Democratic party. not
by forcing the hold to relax. but by lessening
that which he had 10 hold-conjecture as to the
aF>a- ole he nf
but one sort among sensible men. With the
several other parties disorganizing redevelop-
ing and procreatins. the Republcan party rs
certain. though with considerably !@sseneG
strength. TO move on to q safe victory sustained
by the popular support of reforms which should
not rebound TO its glory solely. those reforms
having been the work of decent men or all
parties
This opinion is free from bias and rightfully
estimates we think the essential forces behind
Mr. Taft's canvass. 1t carries weight not alone
because il reflects Mr.. Cevelands diagnosis, but
because it tallies with the judgment of all I'M
preiudiced observers.
The article published simultaneously on Sun
day by THE New York Times" and by news
papers in several other cities was the first Of
an uncompleted series and dealt with the poIit-
ical situation somewhat broadly. II is notable
however in disclosing some very positive and
interesting views. Mr.. Cleveland's mind had
greatly broadened in his later years, and as his
vision cleared he lifted himself more and more
above the plane OF narrow partsanship. One
sign OF this change was his ability 10 see the
harm which the South has done itself in taking
a stubborn. foolish pride iii its enlistment un-
der the Democracy" The South has been since
1865 the main prep and stay of the Democratic
party and its vote alone made Mr.. Cleyeland's
two elections possible. But the ex-President
had the fairness TO and the courage 10 say
that the South has sinned and still sins againss
itself in IFS blind adherence to any leader or
doctrine stamped temporarily with The Demo
cratic trademark Had the Southern States
succeeded i'm 1896 or 1900 in forcing Mr.. Bryan
info the Presidency. says Mr.. Cleveland. "the
consequences to the country. and particularly
80 the south ITSELF. With IFS undeveloped indus