The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-27

ARE NOT GETTING EXCITED.
AS the time approaches for the announce
ment Of the makeup OF the new presidents
cabinet, the attacks on Mr. Bryan grown hercer
and fiercer Led by the New York Sur, never an
sdrnirer OF the Nebraskan, the whole pack Is at
his heels, bowling and swapping by turns. Dire
predictions of national calamity and frenz'ed
appeals to Mr.. Wilson TO save the country from
the blight OF Bryan are mingled with illconsid-
cred and often contradictory attacks on the
Coulnoner To the Bryanphohists there is no
light in tho future. no hope for the country. no
escape from disaster should the object of their
fears and of their hate have any influence with
the new administration.
His especial disqualifcations for secretary
OF state are receiving more attention at their
hands than those for any other place for the
obvious reasons that this Is the position for
which they believe him to be slated. He is no
lawyer, they tell us, but would make better
attorney general than Secretary of state: he
ia no fnancier and his financial theories are
dangerous but they prefer him as secretary OF
the treasury rather than as cabinet premier;
he knows nothing of war and OF agriculture, but
he knows less OF statecraft and Of foreign rela-
tons than OF any of these This course lis not
unnatural; he Ia not supposed 70 be considered
for these positions, but for the secretaryship
Were 1t known that he slated for the attor-
-ney-generafship he would be better qualified te
hold any other Office rather than this. Were
he known to be slated for the war or navy port
folio he would make better secretary Of state
than either of these. It is not that he is not
wanted for secretary of state. but that he is
not wanted for any position with the new ad-
nlinistration, unless 1t be the ambassadorship to
Zanzibar.
These Bryanbaiters have not the field TO
themselves however. Larger in number, If not
so vociferous, are the worshipers of the Nebras-
kan. They also are besieging the president
elect and urging upon him the necessity for max
ing Mr.. Bryan secretary of state II one faction
makes an awful chorus of Cassandras the other
faction essays the role OF prophets of the milen-
iuul n the one scouts the claims and walls
of the disqualincations of Bryan the other urges
those claims and sings praises of his magnificent
accomplishments and tells of the blessings to
follow upon the heels of his appointment,
Between these two opposing forces are those
who believe ii makes very little difference
whether Bryan enter the cabinet or conflne his
life to the editorial tripod of the Conmoner. the
Chautaugua platform and to his Florida orange
grove They recognize that Mr.. Bryan possesses
| the qualifications necessary for cabinet port
folio and they recognize that he has claims tx
position. There may be difference of opinion
as to the extent of these qualifications and as Il
the strength Of those claims, but there is nj
hesitancy in admitting that both exist Some
may think they know of others Of better cabine
material and of others whose claims are al
urgent, but refuse to become excited about 1t
II Bryan be named they will be satisfied that ons
whose integrity and sincerity of motive canno
| BIO question Is close to the president: IL he Il
not they will be satisfied that there Is good rea
son for 1t. Most of them would like to see tn,
/ great leader of Democracy and democracy re
cognized by appointment If he desire 1T
some Of them would prefer him In private life
i but none of them are going to tear their hal
whatever may happen. having confidence, botl
in Mr. Wilson and Mr.. Bryan. The dramati
exhibition of grief will be left to those extremist
who are 30 busy proving their artistic Qualifica
tions for the part.