Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-22

Some Reflections ON the Advance
Notice of ga Personal Friend"

some Reflections ON the Advance
Notice Of SEA Personal Friend"
New York Sun.
The latest authenticated version of Mr..
Bryan's attitude is that he will not be a
candidate in 1e12 At the south, owing
chiefly to his own announcements and or
acular reservations In that section, they
have their forebodings. to the contrary. In
fact. Deacon Hemphili of the Charleston
News and Courier has copyrighted the pre-
diction that he will be the democratic nom-
inee In 1912, 1916 and 1920. at least. This
conclusion is reached after a prayerful
study of his PeTpetuity's studied utterances
and ostentatious reticenses at various points
and according to the circumstances Of the
case. It is true that a certain southern
newspaper OF some obscurity and circum-
scrtbed authority has reproached Deacon
Hemphill for HIS surrender TO the preten-
siens of the Gifted One, but the protest
has aroused only a languid and semi-con-
'temptuous attention. The fact remains that
Mr.. Bryan has disclosed an inability TO read
the signs OF last November and a willing
ness to come to the rescue of the democ-
racy once more, while on the other hand
there is absolutely nothing to show that
the south has any views whatever OF its
own. 1t seems to us hat the deacon's point
is well taken. and we feel disposed to sup
port his caveat.
II n personal friend" however, stands
firm on his somewhat adventurous postu-
late. During the next four years" he
says, new men and issues are expected 70
make their appearance. and an entirely
new alignment may be expected within the
democratic party We can see the des-
cons calculated smile. What new issues
can arise which Mr.. Bryan ls not In a po-
sition to adopt and ~champion7 From tho
nebuiar hypothesis 10 the rule o. thumb
he has in turn PROGRESSED and advocated
every theory, every dogma and every Wild
cat schism that was ever bred In the min
or the disordered vagary OF man. What
deliberate assumption. what feverish' night
mare even, Is possible within the next
four or the next forty years which Mr..
Bryan cannot consistently manipulate and
to which his astounding versatility win not
lend itselff
Mr.. Bryan's interpreter goes wide Of the
realities. There IL no question OF new men
or new issues. II is a question OF the
south'S intelligence n manhood. We are
glad to know that Mr.. Bryan is going on
With his lectures and his newspapers. II
Is reassuring to be told tina his income
ranges from 10000 to $4,000 from those
sources. and that he seldom charges a cent
for sitting dow to dinner We delight in
Fairview and the fatted heifers. These
things are all as they should be. We still
retain our respect for the PHILOSOPHERS and
the aphorisms OF the iamented Barnum.
some people do not know how to take care
OF their money anyhow, andAt is well tina
the surplus should pass TO the keeping OF
the far-seeing and the provident. But Mr..
Bryan's candidacy in 1912 depends entirely
upon the courage and enlightenment OF the
south. Such leaders as Senator's Bacon,
Johnston. culberson and Daniel can ilium-
Inc the chaparral, the ~"pennyrile" and the
piney woods II the want TO. Deacon Hemp
hill evidently thinks they won't. and for All
we know that may be the truth.