New-York tribune., 1908-07-31
BRYAN TO TIE HE4RST PARTI.

!
Mr.. Bryans prompt appeal to the Independence
party members to support him instead of Mr..
Hisgen shows how keenly he feels the danger to
his candidacy of the Hearst party. Mr.. Bryan
makes the argument that has usually stood in
the way of the development of strong third
parties in this country-namey. that to vote
for any other than the Republican or Demo
cratic party is throwing a vote away, and 10
doubt that consideration will have considerable
effect upon the size of the Hearst vote Here
and there are observable signs of the shifting
of more or less conspicuous Independence party
men TO Bryan. while there is no evidence OF
corresponding movement in the other dlrectloh-
Still the Hearst convention rejected overtures
from Bryan and stood firm for an independent
nomination and probably the organized party
will he able to resist the temptation to vote
for the Democratic candidate.
Mr. Bryan is hardly fair in minimizing the
differences between the Independence part! an"
the Democratic party. The new party. after ap-
parentIy heStating for considerable time
whether to he radical or conservative. durlh9
which time il stood for nothing that one or ooIh
of the other parties did not advocate dehhllelE
determined to he radical, and its radlcallsm Is
distinct variety. vastly more complete ana 'our-
ageous than that of the Democratic party. Instead
of meaningless and twO-faced declaration re-
carfiing iniunctious such as is contained in the
Democratic platform. the independence plat
form calls for a hearing before jury Oh at-
plications for injunctions in labor disputes Inc
Independence party stands for the lnltlauVe ana
referendum. two things which MI Bryan mas
urged, but which he did not have the courage
10 put in his platform. 1t also advocates TIE
recall q device bv which the people could re-
move from office an elected official of whose
conduct they disapproved. 1t also demands
the general adoption of the direct primary NOM
ination system If all of these reforms were
carried ont the result would be as nearly a
pure democracy throughout the United States
as is practicable in a country OF large area
Governmental methods would be patterned on
those of Oregon. There is doubtless a genu-
inc feeling among persons of advanced views
throughout this country in favor OF more
complete democracy. If they vote TOT MI
BRYAN and his platform. they are not advanc-
ing that cause. If they vote the independence
ticket and can persuade themselves of the sin
cerftv of its platform professions after all the
uncertainty whether it would be conservative
or radical they may feel that they are pro-
noting their Ideals.
1t is hard 10 understand how Mr. Bryan can
face the Independence platform and ask voters
of that party TO accept him as something just
as good for the platform reads like an in
dirtment of Mr.. Bryan's time-serving and I'M
initiative and referendum there TO accuse the
Democratic candidate of his vacillation regard
ing the ideals of purer democracy, but there is
also the government ownership of railroads,
which Mr. BRYAN processes to believe in but
has not the courage to advocate A good many
persons IN this country favor the government
ownership of railroads and other pubic utlll-
ties though they not now a majority-a
consideration which makes the Democratic can
didate stand for government ownership only
privately, though he promises TO be Tor II pun
liclv as soon as he is convinced that majority
1 of the voters favor it. How must these honest
but mistaken persons feel toward a candidate
who believes what they believe, yet publicly
/ appears as the advocate of policy which he
declares will be a failure? Why should they
accept such a time-server as the best available
instrument TO promote their ideas! III they
can nersuade themselves that the Independence
party Is in earnest. why should they not turn
deaf ear to Mr.. Bryan?
To all such Mr. Bryan is addressing this op-
nortunist suggestion ''The question is not
! a,rba+ber ono can GET all the reform he wants.
but whether he can get the most reform. The
democratic party offers him the best oppor-
'tuuitv TO secure that which is Obtainable at
this time" In accordance with this principle
he Laws aside his convictions when he
thinks they are unpopular. is willing, because
he knows it is popular, TO pledge himself %
carry out policy which he believes TO be futile
and invites every one else of like mind TO join
him in laying aside his convictions But 1t is just
because there others than opportunists in
the world that the Populists and Socialists and
Independence Leaguers are in the field with
candidates of their own instead of taking Mr..
Rrvsn as the most complete embodiment OF
radicaIism ''obtanable at this time The In
dependence party's present platform is excuse
enough for the existence Of a party; the only
thing that those who believe in its kind of radf-
calism need persuade themselves of is that 1t
is all meant.