Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-09

any democrat alive could have polled |
more votes than did Bryan. And We
should not relish the task of naming !
any democrat who would have polled
as many
Those who predicted that this de- :
feat would end Bryan as presidential
no doubt already have re-
vised their judgment.
1.-The North Americans estimate OF
Bryan has not altered on iota because
OF the election We did not underrate
his commanding position as a ma
tional political force. And the result
of the election has only emphasized
the fact that no other democrat in the
nation posses the confidence of so,
large number of Americans as does
William Jennings Bryan.
I'VE do not agree with those who
think a thrice-defeated candidate ever
again can be considered as a presiden-
tial possibility But whether, in the
course of events, Mr.. Bryan will or
will not permit the consideration of
his name for the presidency, we are
glad that he has not, himself, made
such a thing impossible by declaring
that in no circumstance would he
ever be a candidate again.
1--WE should have to give a declara-
ton of that kind from Bryan the same
credence that we gave to RooSevelt's
made the night after his election in
1904.
I'm such case we should be COMPEL
ed to feel about Bryan as we felt and
declared about Roosevelt two years
ago-that if he became candidate in
violation of his explicit pledge We
could not support man who would
30 falsify our estimate of him.
I'VE sincerely hope that We never
shall have to support Mr.. Bryan for
the presidency. Because the republi-
can party should make such a course
unnecessary by furnishing candidates
of such character as to make it, from
our standpoint wiser TO uphold the
more efficient of two parties, alike
pledged to progressive policies.
But just as devoutly We hope that
Mr.. Bryan may not remove himself
as a presidential possibility in case
the best interests of the nation should
demand his leadership.
Our confidence in Taft is as COM
plete as it could be in any human be-
ing. And if he be spared to finish the
! task begun by Roosevelt, we expect
to see the great work well toward
completion during his administration
| "But if, through and cause whatever
the affairs of this nation should fall
into the hands of the reactionary ad-
vocates of special privileges, no man
in the nation cOuud do so much as
Bryan to force them into moderation
through fear that round him would
rally every friend of equal opportunity
and every opponent of Cannonism and
corporation control.
The great vote cast for Bryan ard
the fact that much of it may be term
aid of strong political organizations
must be accepted as lesson and {
warning to the foes of popular rule.
when Roosevelt retires from office
he will remain great national asset
We believe Bryan will be almost rs
potential a factor for good. Roose
velt's strength, however is case Taf
justifies the peoples faith in him
must inevitably be transferred in F.;
measure to Taft. But there is nj
one in the democracy to divide or alb
sorb any of Bryan's tremendous in
dividual following.
''The pledges made by the republican
party, as well as those made by Mr.
Taft. have been too specific to b,
broken without bringing disaster t
the republican party.
$50 long as Mr.. Bryan wisely re
fuses to remove himself as a presiden
tial possibility, he should constitute
reactionary republicans from any sem
blance of breaking faith with tn
people
Should he never actually become
candidate again, none the less will h
be doing good service to his country
But if, with returning prosperity
our chosen leaders shall grow indii
ferent to their pledges and the rea
needs of the nation, Bryan might We
be the one person to whom the peopl
would turn to finish Roosevelt's work
, For a thrice-defeated candidate :
be elected president, of course woul
! shatter tradition and would max
. Bryan, in truth "a man of destiny
, But such a thing is within the realr
! of possibility
The North Americans views as t
, Mr. Bryan and his usefulness to tn
American people are wisely stated
{ Mr.. Bryan is not has been" nor
; down and OUT The American pee
: pie owe much to him as courageou
champion of the doctrine of "equs
, rights for all and special privilege
: to none" and will continue to owe hir
!, more as the days go by. He is, as tn
: American so expressly puts it "a n;
tional asset