The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-07-22
Mr.. Bryan's Nomination.

president by a Democratic national
convention. The result has been for
some time practically a forgone con-
clusion, although many anti-Bryan
Democrats continued to hope against
hope until the last. Only two other
Democrats in our political history
have been three times the party's
nominees. Andrew Jackson was the
Democratic candidate three times,
being defeated once and winning
twice. Grover Cleveland was NOM
mated three times. losing once and
bringing victory to the Democratic
banner in two splendidly fougt cam
paigns.
Mr.. Bryan 10 the only Democrat
who has been nominated for the third
time after two successive defeats.
Now that Mr.. Bryan has been non,-
mated and the platform on which he
is to run announced, his friends and
opponents alike again review the poll
tical situation and calculate anew the
chances Of his election. Many OF his
most ardent supporters will probably
admit that he IL badly handicapped in
his third race by his two previous de-
feats and BY antagonisms and divi-
sions Of the party which II seems inn
possible to reconcile. Thus the odds
seem unquestionably against him at
the start. Whether his personal mag
netism. oratorical power and increas-
e political experience will be able to
overcome these disadvantages and pus
him on even terms with the Republi-
can candidate later. remains to be
seen.
That he has phenomenal ability to
stir the masses was shown by his
wonderful campaign In 1895, and
again by the brilliant canvass Of 1900,
and his friends believe that aided by
the disaffection In the ranks OF labor
and the discomfort Of negro voters, ne
will give q good account OF himself
a. Q campalgner.
or one thing there can be no doubt.
and that Ia that his nomination for
the third time. while In no sense a
surprise. Is q distinct disappointment
to . large section Of his party. Many
OF those who entertain this feeling
may support him in the end. but for
the present their, attitude is one Of
deep regret and dependency. Their
position 10 not one Of personal hostil-
lty or unfriendliness to Mr.. Bryan.
Gladly bearing testimony to Mr.. Bry-
ans brilliant intellect. to his oratori-
cal genius. to his fine moral qualities,
his uprightness Of character and his
patriotic intent. many thoughtful and
patriotic Democrats have. nevertheless,
been unable for several years past
to convince themselves that his fur
ther Leadership would make for the
welfare or success Of the party, or for
the good OF the country. 1t is only
Justice to these Democrats, and they
form a very respectable minority in
character OF numbers. to say that
they reached the conclusion reluc-
family and regretfully, and after
vainly hoping that Mr.. Bryan would
himself open a way for them to come
to his support. This seemed possible
when he returned from his world
tour nearly two years ago. There was
a general belief that Mr.. Bryan had
been broadened by his travels and by
the teachings Of time and experience,
and that he would come back a wiser
and less radical leader than he had
been In the past. All sections of the
party eagerly awaited his return, and
all Democrats united In the hope that
he would measure up to the occasion.
1t was great opportunity for Mr..
Bryan-a great opportunity for the
party. Democratic hope was at the
flood when Mr.. Bryan landed in New
York; when he had finished his IA
nous speech at Madison Square Gar
den, In which he expressed the opin-
Ion that government ownership Of
railroads was "entirely practicable, A."
there was swift and ominous ebb-
tide that seemed to leave the party in
single hour stranded and ship
wrecked. Even Mr.. Bryan's warmes,
friends were dismayed and disheart-
ened. and felt that the party had once
more been dangerously wounded in
the house Of its friends.
Within the last year. however, for
tune has seemed again to turn its
fckle smiles upon the Democratic
party. President Roosevelt's indis-
Greet methods of attempting to re-