The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-07-19
Bryan and Roose-
velt at Convention

A Party Well United Stands Behind
Wilson as the Democratic
Presidential Nominee
The absolute dominance of Mr.. Bry-
an over the recent democratic conven-
tion is the one great outstanding fact
of the eight turbulent days at Balti-
more; yet he achieved his leadership at
the price of an easy presidential nomi-
nation and probable victory for him.
self in November. Bryan alone elimin-
ated Bryan as presidential eligibility
in order to take the position of presi-
dent-maker and party-moulder. Bryan
strove wholly within the lines of strict
convention procedure and party prece-
dent. He brought the party to his
point of view. He made an unwilling
and angered body accept his authority.
He yielded nothing toDopportunity; yet
he converted reactionary majority in
to silent minority. A progressive
democratic candidate and progressive
democratic platform are the product of
his labors. A party we'll united stands
behind Wilson, and the democratic
prospects have not been so bright in a
half century. 1t is to be remembered,
Of course, that the democratic nominee
is usually lot stronger early in the
summer of presidential year than late
in the fall; but this year may prove an
exception.
If Colonel Roosevelt had taken the
same wise course as Bryan-through
himself or his accredited leaders at
Chicago-he might and probably would
have been nominated. Colonel Bryan
defed the steam roller, and denounced
t; but he met it on its own ground and
overthrew it. Colonel Roosevelt at
tackled the steam roller, characterized
its engineers as thieves and rascals,
announced in advance that he would
form new party if the throttle were
not turned over to him, and insisted
that the party organization confess it.
self in the wrong and abdicate its pow
er and privileges as preliminary to
his participation in the convention.
Mr.. Bryan fought out his battle with
the democrats on democratic field,
though he sacrificed himself on the al
tar of his own convictions. Mr.. Roose-
velt declined either to sacrifice himself
to his convictions or to fight at all &C.
cording to party rules.
Mr.. Bryan respected party precedent,
and observed it. Mr.. Roosevelt des-
pissed party precedent, and repudi-
ated it.
Mr.. Bryan lost the initial skirmish,
but fought gamely on to a great VIC
tory. Mr.. Roosevelt lost this prelimin-
ary skirmish and lost because he in
sisted on making the same issue over
and over again. (.
Mr.. Bryan did not touch the historic
unit rule, in its real essence, and he
let alone the arbitrary and formidable
two-thirds rule, though both were
giant obstacles in his way. Mr.: Roose-
velt demanded instant and unqualified
repudiation Of all party organization
and party practice as expressed
through sthe national committee, and
wanted to disquslify many delegates
without a regular and orderly inquiry
into their credentials.
Mr.. Bryan appealed from the nation
al committee to the convention, but
raised at the wrong place no question
as to the persons who had prima fac
lie right to sit in the temporary organi-
zation. Mr.. Roosevelt appealed from
the national committee to the national
convention, but undertook by his own
fiat to define and delimit its organize
ton.
When Bryan lost he took his medi-
cine and tried again. When Roosevelt
lost he refused to take his medicine
and openly began the building of new
party.
If Bryan had gone to Baltimore avow-
edly candidate, as Roosevelt at Chi
cago was candidate, he would doubt
less have won the nomination. The
necessities Of his position required him
to demonstrate absolutely his own in !
tegrity by his self-elimination as a dark
horse and make for another the fight
that in good conscience he might in
other circumstances have made for him !
self. But Roosevelt was under no such
embarrassment as to his candidacy,
and he was under no compulsion to
purge the minds of all delegates Of sus-
piclon as to his motives. The conven-
ton was powerfully impressed by the
astonishing evidence Of his popularity
throughout the country and he had .
club over its members that, judiciously
used. might. and easily could. have nro.