Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-06-12
BRYAN AND DEMOCRACY.
To the Staunton SPECTATOR

the Democratic party seems TO be
foregone matter, it would not seem to
be impertinent on the part of some
of us who call ourselves Democrats, to
examine into the question of his fitness
for this high position.
If, as has come to be accepted in these
latter DAYS, we take the name Demo-
cracy to include the entire body of
what is usually designated the opposi-
ton; if the term is meant to indicate
simply not Republican; if every man,
of whatever principles or of no prin-
ciples, who has a crouch or grievance
against the existing conditions and
those in control thereof, is therefor and
thereby Democrat, we may as well
admit at once that Mr.. Bryan is the
typical Democrat and eminently fitted
to carry the standard of the party; for
to all such men has his appeal been adj
dressed and is still addressed
But there is another definition of
Democracy which is still accepted as
the true definition by very respecta-
BILE body of those who have not yielded
to the hypnotizing influence of Mr..
Bryan's personality. To them Demo-
cracy is not simply opposition. 1t is
positive and aggressive in character, and
it advocates principles which are fun
damental and interchangeable, as distin-
guished from questions of business poll
icy, intended to suit the constantly
changing economic conditions. And
the adoption of these principles is be-
ieved to be essential TO the permanence
of free institutions. Democracy Of this
stamp has taught historically, and still
holds to the right of the individual
state to regulate its internal affairs. 1t
believes that the Federal Government
was erected for the purpose of admins
tering all matters of common interest
to the states, and only such, which can
not, in their nature, be administered
by the several state governments. 1t
has an Unborn and innate fear of a
powerful government at Washington;
powerful in its ability to interfere in
the internal affairs of the state and the
community. 1t believes that the peo-
pie ''are governed best who are gov
erned least" from Washington. This
is principle of historic Democracy as
distinguished from the Democracy of
Mr.. Bryan.
When Mr.. Bryan returned from his
trip, saround the world" he was per-
haps at the height of his ascendancy,
certainly since the cataclysm of 1896.
All branches of the Democratic party
| were prepared to receive him. Even
the most radical of us were willing to
believe that the years had developed
and broadened him to Democratic pres
| identiaI size. We were willing to let the
past take care of itself; to forgive even
the years of presuming to define and
dictate to Democracy. The reception
which was organized for him was GER
tainly representative of every branch
of those who name the name of Demo-
crat. Everyone seemed bent upon
Cancellation and open to the conviction
of Mr. Bryan's availability.
We all rememb Der his speech and with
what CONSERVATION it was received. 1t
is not to be supposed that the declara-
ton in favor of Government ownership
of railroads was simply the thoughtless
expression of the moment; an unim-
portant incident of an eXtemporaneOus
speech. 1t is fair to suppose that Mr..
Bryan knew the significance of the oc-
casiOn; that the utterances of the time
would carry with them the weight of
the leader of democracy, as it was for
the purpose of hailing him as such that
the reception was organized. Therefor
any announcement of policy from him
may fairly be taken as the result of his
nature thought and deliberation dur
ing long silence. Would it be posi-
BILE to conceive of or imagine any in
strumentality or scheme, which would
more completely concentrate in the
hands of the Federal Government the
control of the affairs of not only state
and the community, but of the individ-
ual citizen, than the government own
ership of railroads? Could anything
therefor be more un-democratic than
this proposition?
When, in 1896, the Democratic con-
vention forsook democratic principles
and allowed the Populists to write the
party's platform, Democracy was be-
trayed and the price of the betrayal
was the hope of success. There were
democrats, many ofthem, who believed
that Democracy is something more
than a name; and they believed furth
er that when party, retaining the
name only, forsakes its principles, it
ceases to deserve success These men
| believed that true Democracy could
have been received no more permanent
injury, its inevitable ascendancy could
IfiNN ONVh III lSoetiASo tlldlI
by the election of Mr.. Bryan, in its
name, with the platform upon which
he stood; and a sufficient number of
them to change the result of the cleo
ton showed their faith by their works,
choosing to submit to defeat, even to
contribute to that result, rather than
ratify with their votes so corrupt bar
gain. These men are not Democrats
for revenue. Therefor the utilization
of the mouthpieces of Organism will
do them no harm; nor will it do the
cause of Bryan good. But they are
democrats, Mr.. Bryan and his organs
to the contrary Notwithstanding and
they are asking for democrat as the
candidate. They are asking further
what circumstance constitutes Mr.. Bry-