The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-03-18
Mr.. BRYAN ON PROSPECTS FOR
DEMOCRATIC VICTORY IN 1908


most all of our prominent Democrats
going of with what was called the
conservative element We had to re
ly upon new men, in the organization
and new speakers, and We were al
most without large dailies, Mr..
Hearst's New York American being
one of the very few metropolitan pa
pers that supported the ticket. We
polled that year million more votes
than the party polled four years be-
fore, but the increase in the repUbli-
can vote was so enormous that we
were defeated.
And in that campaign we had to
meet the largest campaign fund that
ever was raised. We had the opposi-
ton Of nearly all the leading newspa-
pers, and we also had against us the
coercion practiced by the banks and
the insurance companies and the
large corporate employer of labor.
In spite of these things, the
change of 10000 votes in the close
states would have changed the result.
In 1900 we. were handicapped by the
fact that our opponents claimed credit
for a prosperity that had come. We
We're also handicapped by the fact
that the administration had just fin
iShed successful war against Spain.
We We're further embarrassed by an
Instruction in the Philippine Islands,
and in spite OF these disadvantages
we polled within about $50, 900 votes
of the votes polled in 1896.
Il have made these statements in
order that may better explain the
present prospect of success. Twelve
years have elapsed since 1896, and
We have had time to see the fruits
OF republican victory. The govern
ment was sold to the highest bidder
in 1896, and those who bought it had
administered it without regard to the
welfare of the public, for the republ-
can leaders have. without exception
been the obedlent servants of the
great money interest.
They sowed the wind and they
are now reaping the whirlwind. The
people have had time to study the sit
uation, and as result Democratic
policies have grown in popularity and
Republican policies have diminished
in popularity Plank after plank has
been borrowed from the Democratic
platform, and the presidents popular
ity has been won by the Endorsement
of the remedies which the Democrats
have advocated.
Popularity of Party.
In the long run party's strength
must depend upon the popularity of
its policies, and measured by this
rule there is no doubt that the Demo
cratic party is much stronger than it
was either in 1896 or 1902
rs IT not true that there are GER
tain Influences, journalistic and other
wise, that have been hostile to you
and your nomination."
Mr.. Bryan declined to go specifcal-
ly into this question or to express
any positive opinion concerning such
influences, whether journalistic or
personal. But in a general way he
replied with considerable spirit: ..
Yes, it is true that a number of
have opposed my nomi-
nation, and some prominent Demo
Gratis have expressed a desire for the
nomination of some one else, out there
is quite a difference between prefer
ring tn nomination Of another Demo
crat and the election of a republican
] do not know. of course, what news
pa pers may oppose my election if 1
am nominated, but tafle it for grant
ed that public sentiment can be bet
ter gagged by the votes of the Demo
Gratis who send delegates to the con-
vention than it can by the editorials
Of the newspapers, especially when
those newspapers may have an inter-
est to serve entirely distinct from the
public interest"