The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-11
SEND THE DELEGATES uNFE1rEn-

L
ton of the record of Virginia since
1883 shows that instructions have only
been given twice, once in 1888 for
cleveland and once in 1900 for Bryan.
In neither wear was there any opposi-
ton to the nomination and instructions
were more complimentary than eftec-
tive.
This year. though Mr.. Bryan is thel
almost inevitable nominee of the party,
and has been recognized as such Tor
months, there is sound reason for VIZ
einia not sending her delegates to Den
yer bound hand and foot, and that rea-
the platform. The Republican party has
gained for itself the unenviable distinc-
ton of being party governed far
more by the domination OF single
leader than by any settled principles.
The Democratic party has been charged
with the same weakness. 1t is alleged
and urged that the Democrats of the
South follow blindly in the wake Of
trine he sees fit to promulgate, simply
because they have not the courage or
the capacity to think for themselves.
If this charge Is true; then the Demo-
cratic party has deliberately abjurcd
Its own cardinal tenet. principles, not
men, and has become the personal
property of a powerful and popular
leader
If, as appears entirely probable Mr..
Bryan is the choice of two-thirds of the
Democratic delegates of America. he
will receive the nomination and sup
port of that party, but in order to gain
the votes and the election, which de-
pend upon the independent voter who
does not belong consistently to either
the Democrats or the Republicans, a
platform must be formed and cam
pafgn must be waged which will de-
serve that support and gain that as
sistance.
Nothing that the Democratic party
can do will more greatly rehabilitate
IT than to choose or reject Mr. Bryan in
a convention that is honestly admin
istered and which fairly expresses tho
VIII Of the people whom the delegates
represent. The voters of America at
large are sick OF personal domination.
The best service Virginia can render
the Democratic party and itself is 70
eeio delegation to Denver that will
go free from all entangling alliances
and prepared and willing to sunnort
principles, not mn.
1HE CANDIDATES AND ,rHE EA>s
Only overweening confidence con,d
have allowed Mr. Bryan to let the
horrid story ofslns Indifference to base
ball run so "abng" uncontradlcted. Ever
q whisper to that effect would have
hopelessly crimped the future of n less
strongly entrenched statesman. To be
nnresponsive TO the fierce joys of the
rooter, never to have screamed, Line
her out, Mullarkey." or hurled hoarse
teunts at the robber umpire-this is
mo light thing The national game
takes the measure of a man. We may
safely predicate as an axiom that no
imam can ever be elected President Of
this country who prefers chess
The johnson boomers have been
quick to take advantage of the appa-
rent defenselessness of Mr.. Bryan.
These people are belated and eleventh.
hour performers, no doubt. but none
,can deny that they are devilish sly.
iI'rom their press headquarters now
comes the statement that John a. John
tson not only likes baseball, but once
played it incomparably One of the
big leagues made him Gathering
offer in the days OF his adolescence
This was because young Johnson COW
cred ground marvelously, had a wing
Ike a piston and made lett-hand pick.
ups While looking the other way
Throwing a man out at the plate from
deep centre-field was like pluckint
ripe plums 10 him. and at the dinicul
art of stealing second he was polishe,
past-master 1t would not surprise u
to learn further that he was known
to the bleachers as Homc-Run John
son, What man with heart in hi
bosom could resist candidate Xix
that?
The Republicans, 1t Is UNDERSTOOD al
not blind 10 the urgent importanc
OF annexing the sun-kissad pop-bottl
squads. We find careful publicity give
70 the fact that Clark Griffith and hi
New York Americans were graciousl
received by Mr., Roosevelt the othe
day, and that Mr. Taft, himself owe.
plump for running bases, has a so
who promises 10 be g wizard at III
game. But the Crucial struggle is b,
tween the two leaders of Democracy
3 Bryan. who doesn't care for baseball
snd haply never fielded his turn ;
one-old cat, and Johnson, who inv;
lriahly bit their heads off no matt,
how hot 5thay came. The Johnson PEI
pie unhappily, have held their trum
too long, II they had revealed the trl
hasis Of their9candidatc strength ca
Her. they might have made histor
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