Omaha daily bee., 1911-10-16
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SILVER CREEK, Neb., Oct. ITO the
Editor OF The Bee: From certain demo-
cratic sources the word has been given
out that in the present political cam
paign no democrat Is 20 be permitted 70
say a word against Mr.. Bryan; that
Just now the business is to elect the
democratic ticket and that presidential
affairs, which, Of course, always in
clude Mr.. Bryan, can be attended to
later on.
But It is to be observed that Mr. Bryan
himself. IL permitted stlll 70 exercise
his constitutional right of free speech;
no guardian 10 placed over him, and while
no democrat ls TO be permitted to oppose
him. he is left quite free TO put in
good licks for himself, privilege Of
which he is not slow to take advantage.
He says he is a candidate for delegate
to the national convention, and pomp-
ously informs the democrats that they
can elect him or leave him at home, but
that II they do leave him at home, he
will not stay left, but will be there on
the job just the same. So. therefore. It
seems that the democrats really have
no choice In the matter. He can swat
them over the head, but they must not
be permitted to strike back. He may
oppose their candidates and try TO de-
feat and destroy them and then they are
silently to nurse their wounds and show
their gratitude for his fatherly chastisings
| by dutifully electing him to represent
them at their next national convention.
But, II elected. what assurance have
democrats that Mr.. Bryan would faith
fully and truly represent them In their
national convention7 Mr.. Bryan had
therefore. insisted that the people should
rule; in season and out OF season he had
told the rank and file OF the democracy
| that their word was law. And yet, last
year. when an overwhelming majority
OF them in their cauouses and conventions,
had declared against putting county OPP
ton In their state platform. he not only
refused to submit to the popular YER
dict but actually went before the Grand
Island convention and basely did all In
his power to persuade delegates to vio-
late their instructions and play the traitor
TO their constituents. When he had igno-
mInlously failed in his nefarious designs,
he went into the field and did his best
TO defeat democratic candidates all over
the state. Being now a candidate him
4 SSH All an has otStTNeu MS county
option allies OF last year and Is nominally
supporting democratic candidates whom
they oppose.
Is Il surprising that the democrats Of
the state have generally lost all faith in
Mr.. Bryan? Is It surprising that they
have little use for him. either in a ma
tional convention or out OF It? What
right have democrats TO believe that as
delegate to their national convention
Mr.. Bryan would truly represent them?
VIII Mr.. Bryan condescend to say that
II elected national delegate he would
honestly support for the presidential
nomination that democrat who should
receive the most votes at the primary
next spring? VIII he say that II Judson
Harmon, whom he has heretofore OPP
posed, should receive the most votes. that
he. himself, II elected delegate, would
honestly do all IN his power to make Mr..
Harmon the democratic candidate for
president OF the United StatesP
OF course, am not so vain as to sup
pose that the great Mr.. Bryan will pay
any attention whatever 10 the foregoing
questions. CHARLES WOOSTER.