New-York tribune., 1909-02-16
rNSECONDED OPTIMISM.

So far as the fortunes of the grand old party
! of jefferson Jackson and Bryan are concerned
! orr optimistic neghboT The New York World,
is beginning to see 1.-THE dawn Of tomorrow.
1t has ceased 10 be the photographer Of defeat
and discoura cement, has retired the celebrated
MAP of Bryanism' from circulation and is now
talking bonefnllv of q "rehabitated Democ-
racy" 1.-THE Worlds present attack of opti-
mism dates from back 10 November last. I'm
mediateIy after the Presidential election il be
gan 10 see signs everywhere of the regeneration
of the Democratic party. That party, with the
aid of the brewery Interests elected Demo-
cratic Governors in Ohio and Indiana and car
red the Indiana Legislature. 1t reelected Gov
ernOrs in Minnesota North Dakota and Mon
tana. those successes being balanced by losses
of Governors in Missouri and Rhode Island. 1t
recaptured Colorado by reason of Republican
factionalism. The results of the 1908 election
seemed to The World" TO prove new access
of Democratic vigor They also seemed 10 re-
move what our neighbor paradoxicaIly consid-
cred hindrance 10 party unity and progress
the leadership. namely. under which unity had
been achieved and progress had been facili-
tated. Said 1.-The World on November G:
It 1.-THE Democratic partyI is rid OF Mr..
Bryans perpetual candidacy.
Apparently what was got rid of was only
the map of Mr.. Bryan's perpetual candidacy. In
The Worlds" present rosecolored visions Of
Democratic regeneration the observation of Mr..
Bryan does not loom large That observation is
no longer insisted on. The World" frankly
admits in response to our query Of Saturday.
that Mr. Bryan was the real leader in the cam
paign which so strengthened the Democratic
party. In fact. without waiting for corrobora-
ton of the hasty assumption that his leadership
terminated on November 3. 1908. our neighbor
ioyfully declares that the Democratic party Is
united after twelve years of factonal strife
and is sin better condition than it has been
since 1892" If this be so. Mr.. Bryan will not
he slow TO take credit for the unifcation which
his leadership in the campaign of 1908 wrought
and TO argue that since he restored harmony
and infused hope and spirit again in Democratic
breasts he ought TO have chance to show what
he can do in 1912 AT the head Of an encouraged
and loyal party We expect to see ''The World"
fall in line with THE Charleston News and
Courier" in declaring for Mr.. Bryan as the
DemOcracy's next Presidential candidate
There are. however, timid Democrats in the
House of Representatives who seem to think that
the great Nebraskan viii have to make at least
one more unsuccessful Presidential campaign in
spite of our neighbor's fattering analysis of the
party's present prospects. The members of the
House Committee on the Election of President
and Vice-President who reported against the
Gaines bill TO remove Senator Knoxs ineligibil-
ity 10 appointment as Secretary of State
Messrs. Gillespie, of Texas; Hardwick. of Geor-
gia: Hackett. of North Carolina, and Rucker. of
Missouri-thus fatty put on record their belief
that the Taft administration will last till March
4. 1917:
The Office Of Secretary of State will probably
be held for eight years by its next incumbent
and Il designing Senator could reasonably an
ticipate that, although his salary would be tenn
porarily reduced in the closing years of his Sen
atoTial term, at the expiration of that term II
would through his influence be restored.
That display Of pessimism perhaps inap-
propriate and thoughtless. 1.-The World" and
Mr.. Bryan should join in rebuking it, Demo
Gratis I'm high Office should at least try to conceal
their inward discouragements, now that the
party is again harmonious" and the cruel Map
Of Bryansm' has been turned forever face to
the wall.