The Delta independent., 1908-09-11
THE MAN HAS NOT CHANGED.
The Issue Before the Country Is Bryan
and Bryanism.

and Bryaniem.
The nomination of Mr.. Bryan on IL
conservative platform is the out
come of the Denver convention thus
far, says the Boston Transcript. Speak
ing with reference to recent develop
ments, it is not surprising in any of
its aspects. Mr.. Bryan is the same
man in different garments. He has
put ON for the occasion those which.
if not the habiliments of straight
out conservative, are of much less
radical cut than in 1896 or 1900 We
do not know yet whether his conserva-
tive tailor has quite got his figure or
the way in which the garments will
be worn. His personality is so radi-
cal that it will require great self re-
straint for him to parade the country
gracefully in the guIse or disguise of
conservative.
The platform, as has been pointed
out in our Denver dispatches. bears in
many points n striking resemblance to
that of the Republicans. That is to
say, there are planks which, If not
identical in language. are in sympathy
with those on the same subjects adopt
tempt to catch some of Roosevelt's
popularity, and when we realize how
frequently great parties try t. steal
what they consider the good things of
another the departure is not novel. In
fact. the whole tenor of the proceed
ings at Denver has been an effort to
show that Roosevelt and Bryan are
very much alike, especially Bryan.
The country is not likely we be-
lieve. to be misled by this scheme. The
net has been spread not only openly.
but with ostentation, by a fowler ac-
companied by brass bands. In the
loud asides of a thousand delegates the
public is notified that the Organized
Democracy is going to be conserva-
tive for this campaign at least. The
change Is too sudden. Mr.. Bryan as
political leader not without n certain
cunning may have undergone a change
of head. but not a change of heart In
all the essentials of character he is the
same man as he was in 1896 when he
advocated free silver. and in 1900, when
he for the second time crossed weapons
with Mckinley.
The people of the United States
when they come to compare the two
conservative platforms and the two
candidates will naturally and proper
ly prefer the conservatism that is he
reditary in policies to the conservatism
adopted at the eleventh hour by a
party which. in an effort to popularize
itself. summarily cast aside the record
of its candidate and the planks of its
platform which in the last twelve years
have given it its most distinct claim
10 individuality.
That Mr.. Bryan's devices may catch
some wandering and uncertain voters
is to be expected. but the great mass
of independents are likely to realize
that Mr.. Bryan and the Organized
Democracy are the same as they were
in 1896 and again in 1900. Doubtless
special pleas suited to the exigencies
of the moment will be used to supple
ment the Denver platform, but these
will be put forward in such a way as
to illustrate the Democratic sense of
the necessity of making urgent and
ingenious appeals to offset the effect
that the incubus of Organism places
upon the party. The issue is plain
before the people of the country, so
plain that the hastiest of wayfaring
men may read 1t, and the duty Of right
thinking citizens is equally plain-to
sustain that great organization which
maintained the honor and integrity of
the nation against Bryan in 1896, when
he first appeared on the public stage.
not, as now, a quasi-conservative, but
as radical of radicals, the most un-
presidential candidate that ever sought
the presidency.