New-York tribune., 1908-01-24
AGAINST HUMAN NiTURE.

What might be called the emotional phase of
the movement 10 sidetrack Mr.. Bryan as a
Presidential candidate is now ended Ihat
phase was full of dramatic and psychological
interest 1t involved an appeal to the senti-
ment of altruism and self-sacrif1ce which always
kindles In those making 1t a glow OF generous
enthusiasm, even if it does not effectually
awaken the conscience of the protagonist to
whom 1t is addressed to the necessity and deslr-
ability of the sacrifice which he is expected to
make II is morally cheering and uplifting TO
call attention to the fame and public gratitude
which await the hero who offers himself up
for the good of the country and the party, ana
the managers of the anti-Bryan agitation nave
shown so disinterested zeal in urging the sac
rifice of Mr.. Bryans ambition on the altar OF
party unity and harmony that we almost won
dereI at times that the Nebraska statesman was
not infected sufficiently with the spirit OF re-
nunciation TO embrace the suggested 1-dleior-
egood-of-theparty" role.
IT must have been hard for him TO resist the
appeaI to his softer nature made by the per-
suasive pIeaders who wanted to save the party
nj his expense An abdication on mis- part 1t
was urged. would lift him forever TO pedestal
in the Democratic Pantheon alongside Jefferson
and Jackson If he would only consent not 10
run for President he could have anything else
within the partys gift in the here or the mere
after. As a gifted writer for THE Baltimore
Sun" recently expressed it:
What a glorious occasion for Mr. Bryan TO TO
shine as the most brilliant star in the armament
of politics! With his vast influence in the party
and his commanding position he has 1t WITHIN
his power. by the temporary sacrifice of his ampl-
tion. to weld together all the dlscordant elements
and lead the party, through his Wlsuo1n' sell :
sacrifice and courage, to certain victory next
November If he is capable of reaching TINS
high and mastery position Of leadership ana ac-
1icha
anything that the party which he had united ana
made triumphant would not in future years give
to him as an expression Of gratitude and obIga-
ton? Is he big enough to see all thlS-
Yet Mr.. Bryan somehow withstood this assault
upon his magnanimity. this trumpet call to his
unseIf1sh qualities He has shown no signs OF
an intention TO prefer posthumous to present
honors or to eliminate himself in order TO
oblige those TO whom his leadership Of the Dem
ocratic party has become repellant or frksome.
Probably he thinks that altruism should be two
sided and that those who oppose him might also
win the eternal gratitude Of the party If they
waived their personal feelings and started In
10 make his denomination for the Presidency
unanimous
At anv rate. we Judge that the altruistic argu-
ment has been Acknowledged a failure, since
our alert contempOrarieS THE New York
Times" and THE Brooklyn Eagle agree that
soft words and philosophical preachments Will
win no votes at the Denver convention and that
If Mr. Bryan is TO be eliminated he must be
eliminated not by persuasion but by force The
Times" admits that it cannot itself see the logic
of the aItruistfc argument, for it declares that
Mr Bryan having won control Of the party and
found both personal and political profit in man
aging It. would be fool to let go of it, Human
nature is strong. and the altruiSts who have
been preaching a renunciation by which they
would most directly profit seem to have LETT
human nature out Of their calculations. II they
want TO make Mr.. Bryan appreciate the de-
lights and honors of retirement they will have
To do It not by moral suason but by the 'ruder
process" of voting him into private life.