The Irish standard., 1908-07-11
THE TRIUMPH OF BRYAN.

The triumph of Bryan and the rank
and file of the Democratic party Is
complete. One man, strong. courage
Gus and capable. standing for the peo-
pie and leading the people in the direc-
tion they desire to go, rises supreme
above all the power of money. trick
cry and deceit. Opposed practically
by all the daily newspapers in the
North; either openly or secretly:
fought by those who in the past have
been considered powerful leaders OF
the Democratic party, William ]. Bryan
emerges from the contest the most
spectacular figure Of American politics
He has grown strong on abuse. He
finds himself, after twelve years OF
constant appearance before the pub.
lie, the undisputed leader of the Dem.
ocratic p.rty. He not only leads the
party, but he has made the party over
Twelve years ago he was nominated at
Chicago to lead faction of the party
He was openly opposed by the other
faction. Today, without having com.
promised his views in any particular,
he is the nominee Of united party
Never before was a party united by
the methods which Bryan employed.
The usual way of bringing harmony
into the ranks of party is to select
new leaders and to compromise on
party doctrines. Nothing Of the kind
has happened with Bryan. He has
brought about harmony in the Demo.
cratic party by deposing the old bosses,
David B. Hill was not at the con.
vention. Senator Daniel. who four
years ago was chairman Of the reso-
luton committee. was a delegate but
had no active part to perform. Guftey,
who used to carry the Pennsylvania
delegation in his vest pocket, finds
himself deposed. A long list of New
Workers. formerly prominent at Dem.
ocratic councils, are not mentioned,
Alton B. Parker the last nominee of
the Democratic party, sat through the
convention an inconspicuous and un-
important delegate. Charles F. Muir
ply, the leader of Tammany Hail.
saved his face for future local pronni.
nence by refraining from openly enter
ing into a conspiracy to prevent the
~ Inc of hH,,
of Illinois. who hates Bryan. had po-
litical sense enough to know months
ago that his continued control of the
Illinois Democracy depended upon his
giving the people what they wanted.
This may appear at first sight to be
a peculiar sort of harmony and yet it
may prove to be the very kind which
the Democratic party needs to bring
about victory Mr.. Bryan will not have
to apologize for Guffey or Tammany
or Sullivan. The voters Of the coun-
try know his position in reference to
them. He cannot be charged with COM
promising to secure their support.
The triumph of Bryan is indeed COM
plete. and the strange thing about it
all is that men who have been consid-
cred good politicians. are unable to
understand the triumph. They either
are unable or refuse to see that a. new
era has arrived in American politics.
They VIII lily fail to grasp the fact that
the present day leader must be right,
not merely available. These former
manipulators Of political conventions
still insist upon practicing the old
methods. and today they are in a
dazed condition, unable to understand
why these old methods no longer work.
There is a lesson and an inspiration
in the career Of William j. Bryan for
young men who have the ability and
inclination to enter upon political
careers. The lesson Is that the only
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