The Washington times., 1912-06-30
BRYAN KEEPS THE FAITH.

When Mr.. Bryan introduced his resolution Thurs
day light pledgng the Democratic convention not to
nominate any man representing the sinister influences
of Special Privilege or Bossism in its coruptible
aspect, it passed with rush. Every boss in the
voted for it. Tammany Hall voted for it.
Belmont and Ryan, both occupying seats as delegates
in the convention, voted for it.
Per Sc, the resolution was meaningless 1t settled
nothing. 1t was merely promise not to do thing
which morally dishonest, but left the definition
of what is morally dishonest to be determined later.
Having put the convention record as being agans,
any candidate under obligation to Special Privilege
and Bosses, it up to Mr. Bryan to hold the con-
venton to the spirit, as we'll as the letter, of the
promise.
1t was apparent Immediately that it was incunl-
bent upon Mr. Bryan to give life to the resolution,
to make the abstract promise concrete action Il
devolved upon him to apply the test to every candi-
date showing strength enough to be counted as a
formidable factor in the fight This would mean
personalities, the reading of records, the narrowing
down of the fight to where it would be necessary for
him to take the platform and, like Nathan Of old,
exclaim Thou art the man. Either this, or the
resolution would be the cheapest kind of political
clap-trap, and Bryan the veriest charatan.
1t was very evident when the forces in the con-
vention at with Bryan and at with the prin-
ciples for which he is fighting voted for the resolu-
ton they had idea that Bryan meant to enforce it.
They thought in the beaten path of politicians and
that path led them to the conclusion that it was
simply shrewd, demagogic byplay of Bryans where
by he might administer balm to his own feelings
and afford shelter for himself within the party
after the forces denounced in the resolution had
named the nominee.
In short they did not think Bryan meant it. They
didn't know the gun was loaded
Yesterday Mr. Bryan kept faith with the people
kept faith with his promises, and kept faith with him
self. Called upon to ride the storm and direct the
whirlwnd, he did so. There was not the least hes
itancy. He may have been more oratorical in 1896
at Chicago, he may have been dramatic a,
Baltimore Thursday night when he introduced the
resolution declaring the partys independence OF
Wall Street and Tammany Hall-Big Business and
crooked politics-but he never before arose to the
Joint of intense sincerity absolute devotion to prn
ciple matter what the personal cost, as when he
ascended the platform Saturday and announced his
purpose of voting against Champ Clark.
Friendships of lifetime, the traditions of party
the prejudices that burn against doing anything ir
regular the political associates of two score years
the fear of being called a traitor the heavy burden
of justfyng to his own people the violating their
instructions-all these he cast in the balance and
found them outweigheI when the devotion to a prin
cple was on the other side of the scale
His refusal to be longer bound by anything other
than his conscience, his of duty to the people
and his fidelity to a principle marked the climax o
Bryan's life up to date-and he has attained man,
lofty SUBMITS.
Mr.. Bryan has kept faith with the people, He ha.
ridden the storm. He has directed the whirlwind
He has won his right to the title of Peerless Leader