Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-09-22
BRYAN and Presidential Nominations

William j. Bryan is under constant
fire of charges from all directions,
mostly from old enemies or cold friends,
the substance of which is that he is
''butting i'm to boss the Democratic
party in the choice of its Presidential
candidate for 1912 But if there is one
man whose duty it is more than any
others to "butt in" at this time, that
man is William J. Bryan.
Some protest that BRYAN has had
honor enough in three nominations,
and should now be "silent sage.
Whoever looks upon Bryan's nomina-
lions in that way expresses himself as
a politician instead of of patriot. Ar
honor, yes; three times an honor. yes;
but only as it is always an honor to be
trusted by millions as the representa-
tive of their interests and aspirations.
A mere offer of Office, by preference
of one man over others, just to please
his pride, simply for the of the Office
Presidential chair or kingly crown
there would have been no honor in that.
If the man accepted his nomination in
that spirit, it dishonored him. But if
both were actuated by better spirit,
then and only then were the nomina-
lions honors. But in that case the
honors rests upon both. The fact that
this honor was bestowed thrice, i'm
poses no obligation upon Bryan to re-
tire or upon those who trust him to re.
tire him. In fact it makes his partici-
patton in politics now all the more i'm
perative as duty, and his advice all
the valuable.
But what is it that Bryan is doing,
over which old enemies and cold friends
make such an uproar? They say that
he is trying to dictate the Presidential
nomination. Let's See. In the Com
moner of September l, Mr.. Bryan's
position is stated, doubtless by himself,
in these terms: "Mr. Bryan has but one
desire in the matter, namely, that the
best man may be chosen. He has hes
itated to urge any one man over others
because he is anxious to have the ben
eft of all the light possible. Many
have already reached decision tor one
candidate or another and MIR. Bryan is
glad to see such organize and present
the claims of their choice" This is
precisely in accord with the attitude
Mr.. Bryan has maintained from the
start; and he has recently put himself
squarely on record as advising a choice
from four men Clark, Wilson, Folk
Marshall.
As to one person, and only one, has
Bryan Disseminated. This is Governor
Harmon; but he discriminates AGA INST
Harmon. We can therefore understand
why Harmon's supporters roar. They
know that with Bryan's advice hostile,
Harmon can hardly be nominated, and
If nominated will certainly be defeated
at the POLLS. But how shalt the other
roar be explained? Supporters of any
of the.four m-n Bey an has named favor
ably and with no disc limitation, upon
what theory do any of them complain
that he is debating the nomination?
We can think of none except that he
names four men instead of one. But
ii that is their reason, are they not in
effect asking Bryan to do the very
thing for their candidate which they
mistakenly complain of him for doing
for some other candidate? Bryan has
no right to be boss, of course; but on
the other hand hasn't he the right not
to b0ssed?-.The Public.