New-York tribune., 1909-02-09
AZ ryDJsCoUBAGED As NOAH.

News comes from Florida charged with omi-
nous suggestions 10 those who have congratu-
lated themselves over William !. Bryan's sup
nose4i elimination as the Democratic party : IA
vorite son and perennial Presidential candidate.
Mr. Bryan has been in retirement for about
three months. He has made the customary vOy-
age 10 the headWaters of Salt River and come
back as rested, refreshed and confident in his
destiny as if he had made another "educational'
trip around the world. The campaign Of 1908 is
now bIotted out of his memory. He looks as
cheerfulIy as ever 10 the future, and is willing
10 predict though somewhat indefinitely, the
coming of that glad day when 'the people shall
rule" As be said in his finest vein of optimism
to the loyal Democrats who greeted him last
week at Tampa Fla: Noah preached one hun
'dred years without making a single convert
outside his own family. but finally the food
came So | am not discouraged There must
be Bryan tidal wave some time between now
and 1895.
It Is easy to recognize in Mr.. Bryan's multi
farious activities in and about Tampa the hope
full industry of 3 Presidential candidate We
learn from the Florida newspapers that Bryan
handicap was one of the features of the racing
card at the Florida BIidwinteT Fair on February
4. Mr. Bryan being invited to present sash to
the winning Jockey. On the same afternoon the
Nebraska statesman was asked to preside at the
the Young Mems Christian Association in Tampa.
That evening he was the guest Of honor at a
recital given by Nine Calve. and later, in com
many with Private John Allen, the celebrated
Tupelo humorist. he addressed the assembled
Democrats of Florida at banquet IN the
French parlor of the Tampa Bay Hotel
It was on this last occasion that Mr.. Bryan
Ifkened himself to Father Noah. He talked on
1.-The Future Of Democracy" and intimated that
its future should consist chiefly in waiting for
the Bryan tidal wave to roll in The country
suffers to-day, he said. under the domination of
an "aristocratic party" Despite his own and
Mr. Kern's cogent arguments last fall, the peo-
pie neglected to rise in their might and ''rule."
The aristocrats wouldn't let them. But popular
sovereignty will be vindicated some Gay, and the
real proof of that vindication will be Mr. Bryan s
election, just as the real proof Of the soundness
of Noah's weather prophecies was the rising of
the waters which finally lOated his ark.
We do not know whether or not Mr.. Bryan
indorses the theory of Editor JOsephus Daniels
of 'srhe Raleigh News and Observer that the
best way to promote the Nebraskan'S election is
10 disfranchise all voters who viii not vote for
Mr. Bryan, on the ground that they are mis-
guided and undesirable citizens. Probably Il a
good start were made in that direction the nee
essary disfranchisement laws could be passed in
all the states by 1896. The experiment is worth
trying and time is no object. Mr. Bryan said at
Tampa that he amply compensated for the
defeat of last November by the loyalty of those
who had so faithfully supported him. He will
stick 10 them-if they will stick TO him He has
probably been deeply impressed not only by the
enthusiasm of the Florida Democrats. but by the