The Mena weekly star., 1911-01-19
DEMOCRATIC FEAST
BALTIMORE THE SCENE OF A
GREAT DEMONSTRATION
JACKSON DAY.
POLICY OF PARTY is OUTLINED
Leading Democrats Present of All
Classes, Politicians, Editors, Manu-
facturers and Hosts of Good Fellows
w. j. Bryan Not in Attendance.

Washington, Jan. 1S.-The demo
cratic party holds the center of the
national stage during the present
week, with two occasions carrying
the measure, the destiny and history
of that remarkable organization. Upon
the fateful issues Of Tuesday night
which Is to be the guide, coun-
sellor and friend of the more deliber.
alive occasion of Thursday night,
hang the success or failure of the or
ganization under the most shining
promise that the democracy has
known since Grover Cleveland laid
down the Office of president on the
4th of March, 1897.
The democratic conference In Bal
timore Tuesday night Is looked
upon with mingled hope and apprehen-
sion in the rank and file of the party
throughout the country.
Celebration and Jubilee.
The occasion at Baltimore is also
celebration and jubilee over the re-
cent sweeping democratic victories
throughout the country. 1t is an en-
deavor in advance of all legislation
to get together leading democrats in
and out of congress, editors, manufac-
turers, politicians and good fellows
who, with an interchange of opinion
in one of the most hosptable cities in
the world are supposed to let loose
their wisdom and their information
for the benefit of the democratic con-
gressional caucus which is to assem-
BILE two evenings later, on the 18th
of January in the house Of represen-
tatives.
The banquet of Tuesday night
will be. in point of numbers and gas
tronomic performance, the most tre-
mendous occasion of recent history of
democracy. Twelve hundred repre-
sentative partisans from all over the
country will be there.
Forward or Back.
Various predictions have been
made as to the trend of the confer
ence. The distinguished editor and
democrat of the New Orleans Item
said that Il was believed in his part
OF the country that the conference
would be dominated by reactionaries
and that its effort would bark back
to the days of Grover Cleveland and
the conservative democracy.
AS opposed to this view. a Missis.
sippi statesman stated that John
Sharp Williams, the new and ultra
conservative senator-elect from Miss.
issippi and the late leader OF the dem.
ocratic minority in the house, had re-
ceived no invitation to be present and
stated that he would not accept If he
should be invited.
On the other hand the eminent con.
sideration given to Champ Clark in
the banquet arrangements has raised
the theory that the progressive ele-
ment of the democracy would be in
the ascendant there. To this view the
practical objection is advanced that
William Jennings Bryan OF Nebraska
has from the beginning been discour-
aged and has declined to be present,
even il invited.
Three Great Figures.
Three great figures probably will
tower above all others Champ Clark,
the brilliant and beloved Missourian,
faithful friend and substantial idol OF
triumphant democracy. in all proba-
bility will occupy the center of atten-
tion.
From the senate Joseph W. Bailey
will be the observed of all observers.
Notwithstanding recent incidents in
the career of Senator Bailey it Is new
ertheless a fact that whenever he
throws his heart into any effort he
can carry the democratic senate as
he wills. He is really an orator and
has prestige as debater and think
er
Judge Harmon of Ohio, at this time
leading the democratic betting as the
democratic nominee to succeed Taft
in 1912, will be in evidence during the
day.