Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-11-03
Organism Due to Go.

Mr.. Bryan's final appeal contains
| nothing new, nothing to turn single
voter away from Judge Taft. 1t
claims for Organism monopoly OF
progress and democracy. whereas ev-
cry intelligent American knew long ago
that Organism was founded upon self
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and what is popularity
known as hot air" 1t was his own
special brand of oratorcal anesthesia
that suhdued the Democratic conven-
tiun of 1896 and transformed the dis
cordant clements into a free silver
chorus. No one questions Mr.. Bryan's
elo1uenca But cioquence is not moral
asset. Ii failed to elect Bryan when
he was at his best in 1896. 1t failed
again in 1900. 1t will fail for the third
time tomorrow. For the majority Of
the people cannot put their trust in
Bryan; and still less can they put their
trust in his political associates.
Not long since Bryan was complaint
ing that the Republicans had stolen his
thunder. SOW he alleges that if he is
not elected the republic will be sold
INTO bondage. Yet the same spirit nf
reform that prevailed then prevails
now and VIII prevail under Taft Eithel
BRYAN was wrong then or he is wrong
now But it would be futile for anyone
10 try to reconcile the varying state
ments of the Democratic candidate
lie whirls like dervish He is 4 sort
of political Mad Mullah. striking right
and left First this side and then that
IS turned to Il bewlldered populacc. Peo-
PIE who were With him when he drscov
cred that the citizens of the republic
We're being crucihed upon Il cross Of
gold and new against him, and others
now with him because he believes hat
tie Philippines should be cut loose
were against him when he urged the
Democrats in Congress to vote for the
treaty whereby the Philippines came il.
under the Stars and Stripes. Was
here ever such a political weather.
vane? Did any candidate for the presl-
lertial office ever trim his sails SO
ninlbly, 50 frequently? I'VE welcome.
said he III his platform adopted at Den
yer, We welcome Oklahoma to the sis
-erhood of States and heartily cOngra-
tulate her on the suspicious beginning
Of a great career" and a month later,
WITH the crown Of alfalfa still resting
on his noble brow he obeyed the voice of
his dearly beloved common people and
pushed the governor of Oklahoma off
the Democratic bandwagon.
But who can tell what this cham
pion shifter will do next? When de-
feated III 1900 he said that he and his
party had mad enough. But when he
had recovered from the sulks into
which the nomination of Parker threw
him in 1904 he proceeded to capture
he Democratic convention of 1908.
When the Johnson men saw the mood
Bryan was in they gave up. They re-
membered the fate Of Parker. They
let him have his own way. And now
they are hoping that a third defeat
will at last cure him of his selfish am
1ition. Let us bury him deCently."
Treasurer Ridder, who few months
ago begged Bryan to get out Of the
way. now contributes $31 900 to the flu
neral services. Olney and Carlisle,
Parker and Watterson are to be the
principal honorary pallbearers.
Without the help that GomperS has
lent HIM Bryan would have wabbled
all through the campaign now ending.
His voice is strong. but his cause is
weak. 1t is not the real Democratic
party that will be beaten at the polls
tomorrow; it is Organism.