New-York tribune., 1908-03-08
RRY4N AND THE "LE4DERS.

Wisconsin Kansas Oklahoma and Nebraska
have elected state delegations TO the Democratic
National Convention instructed for Bryan ~
ton in each state unanimous Inc Deiio-
cratic state committees in Illinois. Tennessee.
Ohio and Rhode Island have recently declared
themselves unanimously i'll favor of Mr. Bryan :
nomination. In only one state so far. in fact
is anv serious opposition being manlfeSted 10
inc Nebraska leaders third candidacy. Ihat
state is Minnesota. whose Democratic "oNe-
nor. John A Johnson, has just been indorseo
nv the state committee for the Presidential
nomination after a contest which shows that
he is far from having the united support Oh
the Minnesota Democracy. In view OF the gen
eral support which Mr. Bryan seems 10 i'
ceiye il is hard to credit the theory Oh oui
friendIy and enlightened contemporaries ne
New York World and The New l"ih
Times" that this support does moi repiesS'
the real wishes and feeling OF the 'eho'i"
marty Said The Times on Friday IN the
course of an article demonstrating MI hf! ah
upayailability as Presidential candlda'e'
He is unacceptable to the East. he Is nnaccept
ahIe 70 the South The efforts OF hln1seii anu
his friends to obtain pledged deega.lonIs h IaUii
the two great states OF New ipih , anu ot tha
vania will probably fail. The Democrats Vi 'h
south do not want him.: they VIII accept anu
support him only because somebody Hiust pc
support ed and he is at present the ON! ma"
yerT much in view 1t is an astonishing spec
tacle The party could cast him on IL tlie rep
resentative men and leaders IN all tnose states states
where the Democrats tired OF Bryan Woulu
frankly speak their minds. demand his re'lre-
nent and insist upon the nomination OF man
who could be elected
II certainly is IAN astonishing spectacle u
the Democratic party is restrained from eA-
nressinp its true opinion and accomplishing its
fixed desire by the hypnotic suggestion OF NJ.
BRYAN How has he been able to put spell on
Tho representative men and leaders of the
states ready to turn away from Bryanism: II
must be remembered that in Democratic CON
ventions a bare majority is not suflcen' TO NOM
mate The successful candidate must get the
support of two-thirds Of the delegates present
determined minority can, therefore, thWart
the will of n considerable majority. why Is no
effort being made by the representative meh
and leaders aforesaid. if they have ii in the'r
aower 10 defeat Mr.. Bryan, to arrange for hl>
retirement at Denver in the manner in when
Martin Van Buren, was retired for the benefit OF
lanes X Polk at the famous Democratic Ma
tional Convention of 1914. held AT Raltimor2:
Is MIR. Bryan dread a Svengaii that thoSe
who are really opposed to him are melted TO
complaisance when he draws near and their
secret high resolves TO dethrone him become
polite disclaimers when he invites them 10
face-to-face and hear tO-heart talk:
II seems 10 us harO to draw an indictment OF
No single politician can dominate 4 national or
ganiZation with over five million voters and So
t,lre the assent to his nomination of TWO thirds
of the delegates TO its national convention un-
less he really represents the ruling ideas ana
tendencies of the party. 1t is hardly logical TO
say with one breath that the representative
men and leaders of the party have the strength
10 east out d perpetual candidate whom th,'
dislike and distruSt and with the next breath 10
admit that they show disposition whaeN II
TO begin dSpossesS proceedings Such an inco1-
siSreno.y bellies human nature. The real trouble
with "the representative men and leaders whom
Tile Times credits with sufficient power 10 GUST
MI Bryan is that they well aware that the
.annul exercise the power with which they are
credited Many Southern Senators. representa-
tiyps and Governors are. no doubt, out of SYM
pathy with Mr.. Bryans leadership. But they
are afraid 10 oppose the Nebraskan realizing
that such opposition would start ii tire III their
rear and make it possible for rival politicians
10 oust them from Office. The rank and file of
the Democratic party knows what il wants anl
would make short work of leaders who set about
thwarting the real wishes of the Democratic
voters That Is the explanation of the "astoi-
ishng spectacle of Mr.. Bryaus steady progress
toward the goal aU Denver i'll spite of the very
general disapproyal of his candidacy 10y apa-
Ihetic Democratic leaders.