The Washington herald., 1912-12-08


one believes that this is his desire,
but that when he has made up his
mind what to do and how to do it,
he will give evidence of the frmnesS
and decision which the leader OF a
great party should possess.
BRYAN. who is the Warwick of the
Democratic party, continues to loom
large upon the political horizon. He
is a factor to be reckoned with, and
Just now. when he adds mystery TO
his movements, he IS more prominent
than ever
His determination to spend the win
ter in Washington has not been ac-
companied by any explanation. None
is needed. 1t means that he is de-
termined to keep in close touch with
every move made upon the political
chessboard and TO proffer his advice
upon all possible occasions. His in
domitabe energy and determination
are not to be gainsaid. He has
friends and many of them. He has
positive views and is apt to express
them with emphasis. The fact tha:
he has been thrice defeated for the
Presidency and that the Democratic
majority in the House OF Representa-
tives has more than once acted con-
trary to his suggestions, does not seem
to have affected him adversely. There
is no evidence that he proposes to go
into retirement. There is much for him
yet to say and do.
And this being the case, it does not
seem possible that he will accept the
portfolio of the State Department
Why should he? What has he to gain
by tying around his neck the collar OF
an official position? On the contrary
he has everything to lose. He would
sacrifice his independence, which means
everything to him. He would become
a mere appendage instead of being ar
individual factor. Remember James G
Blaine, a brilliant commoner like
Bryan and also disappointed in his
ambition to be President. He became
Secretary of State, and while he filled
the office with great honor, his accept
ance of the position was his political
undoing. Like Gladstone, Bryan does
not need a title to add to his distinc,
ton.
Moreover, Mr.. Bryan as Secretary
of State would be compelled to sac
rihcc the large income which he now
derives from his Chautauqua and other
lecture engagements. His newspaper
| which is also remunerative, would be-
! come fiat, stale, and improbable il
edited by a Cabinet officer, who would
be restrained from criticism and whose
commcndation would be without value
Will he sacrifice all these things for
| the mere bauble of official position
The answer must be in the negative
He can be the official friend and ad.
wiser of President Wilson without be-
ing in the Cabinet Mark Hanna die
not need a title in order to be close to
the throne when William Mckinley oc-
cupied the White House.
The next four years promise to be
the most interesting in the political
history of this country. We may see
the Republican party again coming into
its own, or we may see the evolution
of a new organization. A trernen,
dous battle is to be fought The
Democrats have the advantage of in
trenched power, but a few seriou:
mistakes may change the whole current
of affairs. There must be on all side.
intelligent leadership, slIillful direction
and the ability to take into account any
errors which the opposing forces may
commit More than all, the campaign
of 1916 must begin now. The mind:
of the people are in a formative state
So far as the future is concerned the
recent election offers no reliable foun.
dation upon which to base definite pre-.
diction. We know that Woodrow Will
son was merely the beneficiary OF a