The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-04-23
THE DEMOCRATIC STRUGGLE.

There are evidently two ways Of
interpreting the opposition to Mr..
Bryan's nomination, which is now
finding organized expression In the
OPEN paigning for Governor John
son and Judge Gray. Either the op-
position is based upon the honest
conviction that Mr.. Bryan would not
be elected or it Is based upon the
distressing fear that he might be
elected. There is more substance In
the latter Interpretation than Is COM
monty conceded. That section OF the
conservative democracy which has
zealously fought Mr.. Bryan for twelve
bitter years cannot consistently view
with serenity the possibility of a
Bryan administration, for the reason
that it regards him as a dangerous
man who would make the most I'M
safe OF presidents. 1t Is to be re.
membered, also, that the democratic
politicians and editors who have been
unrelenting 10 their antagonism
could not hope to exercise influence
upon or receive favors from an ad-
ministration OF which Mr.. Bryan
would be the b lad. Add to that
their humiliation over the final sue
cess Of their dearest foe in reaching
the presidency, In spite of their long.
continued hostility, and motive Is
easily found for their present conduct
in making last-ditch fight for one
third OF the delegates to Denver.
The two interpretations are worth
considering, for the light they may
threw upon the general political
situation Having stated them
plainly and perhaps bluntly, it re-
mains to be said that the present op-
position gathers motive power from
both sources. UnquestionabIy there
are many democrats who seriously
doubt the ability of a twice defeated
candidate to win the election and
who rebel against the doctrine of
despair associated in their minds
with The Bryan candidacy; but, on
the other hand, no one who Is famil.
lar with democratic politics during
the past fifteen years can fail to be-
lieve that nothing would distress
and annoy certain school of demo-
Gratis more Doignantly than MIR.
Bryan's election to the presidency, IL
there were a growing possibility Of
his success, their hostility to his
nomination would row In intensity.
Ii 1t were now possible to estimate
accurately the relative strength Of
the two motives, there would be some
rich material for the republicans to
feed upon and digest In determining
the course wisest for themselves to
pursue.
Even as the case STANDS, republi-
cans would be wise to interpret the
democratic situation In the light least
favorable to themselves. In the late
development OF the Johnson and Gray
candidates., republican politicians
are abundantly justified In seeing a
growing belief In the democratic mind
that there Is a prospect OF electiny a
democrat president, whoever the
candidate may be. AS the chances
for minority increase. 1t Is an AK
ION OF politics that the competition
for its nominations widens and In.
tensites. In the present instance.
Mr.. Rryan's own belief that his par.
tvs chances Of success this year are
excellent is we'll known, and it is
that conviction on his part that ex-
plains his growing determination to
be the democratic nominee. There
are conditions everywhere discerni.
bic, moreover, which would lead Mr..
Bryan enemies within the democ.
tacy To share his views as to the
party S chances, so that il republi-
can interpretS the growing democrat.
ic competition for the Denver nom.
ination as something worthy OF his
serious consideration, he will show
a man of sense. Spring field.
Mass. Republican.