The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-06-13

party, that now to side-track him
when party success seems almost
certainty is nothing short of political
assassination.
They point out, too, that Bryan has
always been strong and popular with
the masses. He has staying qualities,
good health, clear MIND, and clean
public and private life.
Bryan has three opponents to face
and conquer before carrying of the
1912 nomination. They are Wilson.
Clark and Harmon, and these are
named in the order Of their chances.
Wilson is acknowledged to be great
student, but he has hardly yet gone
through sufficient training for the
presidency. He has great fight on
his hands in his own. State before ha
can claim the ability to rebuke, Gust,
and defeat political bosses. New Jer-
sey is honeycombed with political bos-
sism and if Wilson demonstrates his
ability to handle them his chances for
the next Democratic nomination for
president will be greatly improved.
But there is another difficulty in his
way. Wall Staeet can be depended
on to oppose Wilson at every stage Of
the game. To the great masses Will
son is as yet little known, and with
Wall Street solidly against him he has
much difficult ground to cover be-
tween now and the next convention.
Clark must yet keep the Democratic
majority in the house united, and put
through such legislation as will please
the masses before he has any chances
at all. It is true he is gaining ground,
but he has recently lost the Bryan
strength by going only half way in the
wool revision. This bill is a compro-
mise when a tariff ridden citizenship
has been demanding tariff for revenue
only. Whether this measure will
strengthen or weaken Clark remains
to be seen. It is a measure that all
are watching.
Harmon OF Ohio is growing weaker,
as a possibility for presidential hon
ors, with each new political move. He
has not been allied with the newer
and younger democracy, and Bryan's
following alone is sufficient to defeat
his nomination, and neither Bryan or
his friends will stomach Harmon. He
has always either fought Bryan or
stood aloof when help was needed.
Suppose then, in the next conVen-
ton, Wilson fails to gather enough
strength to be nominated, and the
convention faces a split over Clark
and Harmon ,and at the psychological
moment the cry, ,"What's the matter
with Bryan" rings out from the loyal
Nebraska delegation, and a food Of
oratory fills the room recounting Bry-
ans faithful party service, His unsur-
passed personality, his fighting abil-
ity, and his devotion to the right?
At any rate these are some Of the
things that have been disturbing poll
tical Washington, and have made
those that thought they had Bryan
shelved wake up and go to work with
new tactics. Yet Bryan faces them
honestly and gives them better than
they send. They tried to arrange
split between Clark and Bryan, and
then make Bryan responsible for it.
The time seemed opportune when
Bryan hastened to Washin gton to help
| in the wool revision. Bryan did not
bolt. He accepted the bill as reported
from the caucus, but said while it was
better than any Republican measure
had ever been it did not 80 far enough.
The split was averted, and Bryan is
today the leader of the Democratic
party, and his nomination for fourth
| time is not improbable.