The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-02-26

live democracy. None OF them eX-.
cells Bryan in purity of purpose
and life, ability in statesmanship
and leadership. He surpasses them
and enthusiasm of his followers.
When on every hand the rank
and file of republicans proclaim
Bryan as the next presidents when
the precinct and county leaders of
the opposition everywhere fear for
when republican legislature in
Ohio unanimously send him an in
vitation to address their body on
questions OF moment; and when
propositions advanced by Bryan to-
day are appropriated by Roosevelt
the house of Carle to croak gloomy
forcbodings.
"Old things have passed away"
Mark Hanna Is dead. 1t took the
master collector and organizer to
win in 1896 and 1900. Disorganiza-
tion, growing from years of lazy
inaction, everywhere marks the de-
feat of the republican party. Prin-
ciples, vindicated and vivified by
the rapid strides OF events, point
to democratic victory.
Clay is reputed to have said
that he would rather be right than
be president. Bryan will be both.
Democracy has learned, it is to be
hoped, though some few democrats
are, blind to the fact, that it is bet
ter to be right all OF the time, than
to be victorious part of the time.
Editor Carle will feel better il he
pondcrs the sentiment expressed by
Matthew Arnold:
because these things, right and
wrong, are really what do govern
politics and save or destroy states,
the few who keep insisting on the
good of Righteousness and the un-
profitableness of iniquity are the
only real politicians"
Even from the standpoint of fill
thy spoils and so-called practical
politics, Mr.. Bryan is the only man
to nominate. In 1894 stephen Harris
was elected to Congress from this
district and Judge Price defeated
Judge Norris in this strongly demo-
cratic judicial circuit. That was un-
der the Cleveland administration
From 1896 to 1902 with Bryan lead
ing the democracy we were repre-
sented in Congress by Dr. Norton,
who was each time elected by hand
some majorities. Then came the re-
action. Some OF our party began
to chase after false gods. Jackson
went to Congress in 1902. The New
York World, the organ of the silk
stocking democracy, backed by
western leaders, who were more
interested in getting up to the pie
counter, than in the success of dem
ocratic principles, nominated Alton
B. Parker. The result. Every county
IN the district suffered enormous
democratic loss. Mouser went to
Congress. Huron, another republican
was elected to the Circuit bench.
seneca County gave republican
plurality for Roosevelt of 534, and
half of her county ticket met defeat,
though the county Is normally 1000
democratic Sandusky County gained
more than 800 for the republican
head of the ticket and elected re-
puDllcans TO the county Offices
though normally democratic by 500
or more. Erie County went republi-
can by over 2lOO, loss for demo-
cracy of over 1iOO votes, and every
democratic candidate on the county
ticket was defeated. In Crawford,
where democratic majorities normal
ly range from 200O to $500, the lead
was cut to less than 1900 for the
mead OF the ticket. Wyandot County
showed a republican gain of 500 for
the head OF the ticket, the county
going for Parker by the small plu-
rality of 81. We come last to Marion
County. Not "A county Official elected
by the democracy. The head of the
ticket republican by almost 500
The tale Is sad but true. Why did Il
happen? Every school boy knows
Because real democrats lost faith
In our pretensIons.