The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-22
WRONG PLACE FOR A EIGHT.


It Is greatly to be hoped that the report from
Baltimore that Mr.. Bryan is to make fight on
the convention door against the selection OF
Judge Parker as temporary chairman is as I'M
founded as such fight itself would be hurtful
Mr.. Bryan Ia said TO oppose the ex-Preaiden-
ttnl candidate on the ground that he is not
sufficiently progressive" What Is this except
bit OF useless sentiment? The Democratic
convention win be ca MY organized. There are
few contests. In the great majority OF in
stances its delegates come with clean and un-
questioned credentials. That being the case.
and In the absence of the strain OF sparring
for position that has marked the progress of
tie convention at Chicago, the temporary
chairmanship is no more than a mere matter
OF courtesy 10 man once considered worthy
of being the staudard-bearer OF the party.
Judge Parker was good enough for Mr.. Bryan
to support eight years ago for President. In
fact II was conceded that his nomination was
possible only through the acquiescence of the
Nebraskan. Why, when nothing ia at stake
except more or less polite honor should Mr.
Bryan make point OF "progressiveness" to
the point OF seeking fight whore none is
necessary?
II is true that Judge Parker was defeated
With an unanimity the part of the people
OF contested States that made his campaign
ridiculous In retrospect. But Mr. Bryan was
once before that and once afterwards de-
feated almost as easily. II also happens that.
while the election bought from under
Bryan in 1885, IL was also purcha sed when
there was need for purchase. when judge
Parker was running in 1904. Never was there
a balder Jest perpetrated the people than
that which Roosevelt put upon them when,
with fun knowledge OF the corporation slush
fund Of New York, he gave Judge Parker the
lie direct for telling the truth 1t would seem
that this incident, at least. might operate to
raise In the NebrasKan's breast that fellow
feeling which is supposed TO make us kind
There IL. indeed, too much talk and too little
thought expended upon the two giibiy recited
words progressive" and conservative" The
Democratic party has, in the better sense, had
history of progressive effort II holds today
as the cardinal tenet which It has held all
along the progressive reformation of the tariff
On the floor OF the convention tho four leading
candidates and any other candidate who may
be presented wiH all OF them, be progressive"
In this sober aud meaningful sense. AS the
phrase is understood In the Republican party
! there will be no Conservative" element at
Baltimore. What more, then. 10 the talk about
defeating this man or that for some position
having to do with the conventions organiza-
tion because he is progressive" or rice
otrsa than the bringing in OF personal friend
ship or enInity?
Democratic conventions are free moral
agents and we expect this one to be no excep-
ton to the rals. Tn the floor, In the advocacy
OF candidates. in the drafting Of the platform
Mr.. Bryan or any other Democrat can come
with all the fight he has in him without IN
yiting criticism OF his course II will be Diff
ferent matter II. the National Committee hay-
ing performed its function OF selecting a tenn
porary chairman. there Ia developed strife
which represents nothing save dogmatie opin-
ion concerning individuals
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