The Washington herald., 1912-06-26
Roosevelt, Bryan, and Baltimore.

Roosevelt, Bryan, and Baltimore.
There is one thing that we would like
to impress upon our Democratic friends
now. making history as the guests of
our neighbor, Baltimore Il is that the
weakness or strength of Col Roosevelt
as possible candidate on a third ticket
will depend very largely upon the noni-
nee and the platform of the Democratic
party. What we mean is this: If the
Democratic ticket be reactionary or
mildly conservative, it would send many
thousands of Bryan or other progress
siye Democrats into the Roosevelt fold,
to join the progressive Republicans. And
this again leads US to say that whatever
will be done at Baltimore this week is
of far greater Importance to Mr.. Roose-
welt than what has been done at Chi
cago. If, however, the nominee should
be a radical. the reactionary or conserv-
ative element might shift over to Taft,
as they once before did from Bryan to
Mckinley. If signs go for anything,
for each reactionary Democrat that
would leave a radical Democratic ticket
for conservative Taft there would be
ten boiling a reactionary Democratic
ticket for Roosevelt.
We doubt not that Mr.. Roosevelt's ac-
tive programme is being held up pend
ing the Baltimore result. If the con-
vention is willing to give him any num-
Der of voters by driving over to his
camp radical Democrats he would be a
formidable factor right from the out
set. No one is quicker to see things
than Col. Roosevelt. With such help
he might make a successful run, for
no one has better talent for inspiring
his followers to fight to a finish than
the seIf-appointed leader of the new
"bandana" party.
With radical nominee on the Demo
cratic ticket to contest every inch of
ground of the colonePs territory, he
no doubt would center his efforts on
winning just enough Republican States
to try to detract from Tafts strength
rather than to help elect Republican
President. For all these reasons the
Baltimore convention becomes to Roose-
welt men of an interest quite as acute
as the rulings of Senator Root and the
National Committee at Chicago.
Mr.. Bryan's almost indignant refusal
to accept the permanent Craftsmanship
Of the convention under the condition
that he withdraw his opposition to
Judge Parker as the temporary chair
man caused but little surprise, SEEING
that what the Nebraskan ultimately is
after is the nomination for the Presi-
dency. 1t is destined to be a fight to a
finish, and even anti-Bryanites have
confessed that Mr.. Bryan enters the
contest with great advantages. Thus
far Democratic conventions have shown
a remarkable habit of submitting to
his dictatorship, and there must be
in this, for he has managed
cleverly to chain the progressive candi-
dates to his chariot wheels, while all
along they were under the impression
that he had invited them to take a seat
in the coach.
How shrewd Bryan was is seen by
he fact that making his fight on pro-
yressive principles against reactionaries
ike Ryan and Murphy, in New York |
State, the latter had to support him in
mis- attack upon Judge Parker. Now
hey and their friends begin to realize
hat not they or their friends, but
bryan i to be the beneficiary. if vic
:ory is won.
One thing appears certain. Mr.. Bryan
las spoiled. all thoughts of a harmony
He has acted with ex-
skill to serve his own indi-
Iidual purposes. The only harmony he
wants is harmonious obedience, and he
s likely to get it if precedents go for