The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1908-11-13
WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

When this paper pleaded against
the denomination of Mr.. Bryan for the
presidency it distinctly stated that it
did so not because it loved him less
but the democracy more.
No newspaper in the United States
had a greater admiration for him. It
early recognized his marvellous pow
ers as an orator: his fuency and mag
netism as a campaigner: his com
paCtness Of thought: his fertility. fe-
lcity ami accuracy of statement; his
IOftiness CT character: his high
ideals: his loyalty to his convictions;
his magnificent patriotism.
The United States have produced
few men possessing greater gifts
along so many lines. and especially
along the lines that make for right
eOusness.
But unfortunately Mr.. Bryan lived
in advance of his age. He could not
impress the loftimess OF his Thought
upon his countrymen. He had been
before them in two hcJIy cont asted
elections and lost out in She second
-aca br "a larger majority .han in the
frst one.
Mr. Bryan entered jhe race the
third time Handicapped and iiScred-
tied by TWO successive defeats. He
was lacking the Napoleonic prestige
and headed an army already discor-
aged. and as the campaign progressed
hopefulness gave place to doubt and
soon despair made its impress every
where felt It lacked the feryor Of
enthusiasm from start TO finish.
Before the nomination Al Denver
the times seemed propitious for dem
ocratic success. The country was
tired Of RooseveIdsm and the demo
cratic party was united as it had not
been before in years. 1t needed only
the inspiration of a victorious leader.
Such a leader was ready at hand. He
had been twice elected governor OF a
republican state. When President
Roosevelt carried Minnesota By 1Gu.-
GOO majority this democrat, who seem
Ell to have been especially ano;u,od
for the occasion. was elected its chief
magistrate by q decidedly popular
vote.
Had the democratic convention at
Denver been sagacious enough to
nav. nominated Goya~aor Johnson OF
Minnesota. or had Mr. Bryan been
big enough TO have turned down the
nomination. we firmly believe there
would have been a democratic land
slide.
The tide of battle shows that Gov
ernor Johnson's remarkable popular
itv has not waned. Judge Taft car
ried Minnesota by a popular major
ity of more than one hundred thOus-
and. yet this remarkable man still
holds his marvellous power. 1t is phe-
nOmenal.
Had he. instead of Bryan, been the
nominee of the democratic party, its
forces would have gone to battle with
the hope of victory, and as the cam
paign progressed would have become
more and more intensified and vital
lied, and would have compelled
landslide
The Swedes in the northwest would
have voted for johnson to a man.
He would have carried Missouri In
diana. Ohio and New York. and Cnce
in possession OF the government it
would have been a long time before
the democratic party would have
d-o"poI tho re;ns o. government.
We fear ,hat no such opportunity
viii again present itself In Ions
time 10 come. 60 # judge Tai meas
ures up 10 tine expectations OF the
+ people the country viii enter upon
an era or tranquility and prosperity
which viii mean al long tenure of Of
2 Ts, r.rr D. a -.r.-rf. rsga., r,ar..F-