The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-21

Edward B. Clark in Chicago Post.
 Every Republican leader now makes 1t plain in what he says privately that he realizes that the party, even with the staiwart. progressive Taft leader ship. is this year to have ( light.
 Bryan is to be beaten. and he can't be beaten by the use of blank cart ridges, which make q great noise. but do no execution. The conviction seems to be strong among the men who do things in politics and who are now In Chicago that the ammunition to De used this year must be of kind Tor which the privates of the Republican army have shown a liking during the last eight years. Tn other words, the party, by it's assurances to the men In the ranks. must make certain that no battalions and regiments are to desert to other eoiors
 Precious little is heard from the lead CTS about the absolute certainty" of carrying New York as against Bryan. Of course, if the party chteftains were to mount a housetop to proclaim as- surance of victory. they doubtless would express, loud voiced, full as- surance that the Republican Party would carry everything before U Tn New York and in some of the other States where the people are supposedly
 
 one can defeat Bryan. The same par ty chieftains privately, however. VIII tell another story. They believe that they can carry New York, but they have no absolute faith. Every one or them realizes the change that has come over the people. All the leaders here except the most hidebound of the stand pat element. seem to feel. do feel. and in fact say, privately, of course. that the platform of the year must pc as no other Republican platform or other years has been.
 If A man had gone to sleep eight years ago and had walked up today In the middle of the big crowd in a Chi- cage hotel, and before asking any questions had listened to what was be- ing said. no thought would come to him that he was among men prepar- ing the way for a Republican Conven- ton. He would say the things didn' sound natural, and perhaps if ne were say that they didn't sound right. Apparently they do sound right, how ever. to the Republican leaders of to- day. and, moreover, they seem to sound safe.
 Secretary Taft wanted q strong plat form; 1t needed nothing but his knowl- edge of general conditions throughout the country--the mental conditions of the voters~--to assure him that any other kind of a platform would be de- fusion and folly. Mir. Taft knows that the people are committed absolutely to progress. and to progress at rapid pace. He has told his friends so. He is willing to lead the way as long az 1t seems to him to be cafe way. When it ceases to be safe. he will be the first one to calI a halt. and he IS wil- ling. to pay no heed to the cries or those who would crowd on regardless.
 William Jennings Bryan has been making good many speeches recently, and as a Republican of national note said yesterday in the Coliseum, "he hasn't put his foot in 1t once" This thing is realized by the Republican ehieftains, and, while in the past they held Bryan in little awe as an antag- onist, they are showing today whole some respect for him and the hard bat. ting possibilities of the coming fight.
 One man who has stood with Roose. welt from the very first said today that 1t is just as well that this is 50. for cock-suredness never won many lights"
 To get down to plain facts. q great many of the leaders fear that the peo- pie, having determined on progress, will feel, if there is any hedging in the Republican platform, that going back is Intended, and that, therefore, they may prefer Bryan and Democ- racy, with all their foibies and faults.