Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-08-12
The Hearst Side Show Not Likely t,
Injure Democratic Prospects.

The Hearst Side Show Not Likely to
Injure Democratic Prospects. Il
The independence party, called
by some the dependence party, be
cause it is entirely dependent upon
Mr.. Hearst for its existence and
continuance, has concluded to run
side show of its own this year.
The independence party platform is
in very many respects identical
with the democratic platform, and
in the few instances in which it
differs it laps over onto the border
land, or twilight zone,' that lies
between that which is practicable
and necessary, and that which is
radical and doubtful as to results.
Mr.. Bryan's comments on the
situation are in part as follows:
1.-THE question that must confront
each member of the Independence
party is this: Will he assist in the
defeat Of the democratic party,
which stands torso much that he
favors, merely because he cannot
get all that he would like? Either
the democratic party or the republi-
can party will win, and the voter
who, preferring the democratic
lyplatform to the republican platform,
joins with the independence party
merely assists the republican party,
and thus defeats several nf the re-
forms in which he is interested.
In 1884, the year when Cleveland
was first elected, political conditions
were much the same as they are at
present. At that time Ben Butler.
who for many years had been q
national character Of commanding
influence, was at the head Of an in
dependent or labor movement of
far greater magnitude than Hearst'a
Independence League.
S A short time before the presiden-
tial election Of 1884, Bntler ran for
governor Of Massachusetts, and 81
the last gubernatorial election II
New York, Hearst ran for governo
Of that state. The only difference be
tween the two men in these contest
was that Butler won and Hearst lost
In the adoption Of its platform
the democratic convention of 1854
held that year in Chicago, did jus
the same as the democrats did a
Denver this year. Both of these con
ventions adopted platforms withou
regard for the wishes of the leader
of the independents.
Twenty-four years ago the Butle
party started its campaign with
great blare Of trumpets. In some 9
the big cities the lines Of smarchinl
laborers were four or five miles j
length, and the prediction was free
ly made that year. by well inttofme'
democrats, that Buffers indepent
emit or labor party would certain
defeat the democratic candidat
But the laboring men Of this coul
try are, as class, well informe
As election day approached thu
realized the force Of what Mr.. Brys
now says. They realized that eth
the democratic or the republics
candidate would be elected, and tn
they had more to expect from
democratic than from a republics
administration. Everyone kno,
the result Of that campaign of tive
ty-four years ago Cleveland got Il
labor vote, except a few stragglel
aud was elected.
Everything indicates that t
campaign this year will be dup
cate Of the campaign Of 1884. 7
presidential side shows of the ind
pendent, the prohibition, the socis
ist and probably some other orga
izations will be beating the tol
toms, but the crowd will pass the
by with scarcely side glance al
go on to the big tent where t
chieftains Of the two great part
will struggle for supremacy.