The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-06

misfortune Of q republic never before thus
maitreatsd.
This high ONCE Of special fitness has
been held. among others. by THOMAS JEr.
PERSON, by JOHN MARSHALL. by JAMES
MADISON, by JAMES MONROE, by JoHN
QUINCY Adams, by HENRY CLAY, by MAR
TIN VAN buren,, by DANIEL WEBSTER, by
JOHN c. CALHouS. by JAMES BUCHANAN,
BY WILLIAM L. MARCY, by LEWIS CAss, by
JEaDNiAn g. BLACK. by WILLIAM II. Sew
ARD, BY HAMILTON FISH, by WILLIAM NJ.
EvARrs, BY FREDERICK T. FRELINoHUY-
SEN, by THOMAS +. BAyARD, by JAMES q.
BLAINE, BY RICHARD OLNsr. by JOHN HAT
and BY EiLHu Roor. II has never been
occupied. We venture to say without the
slightest fear Of contradiction, by any
statesman anything like the Hon. Will
IAN J. BRIAN IN any Of those obvious
deficiencies Of education. diplomatic tact.
comprehension Of international problems
and familiarity with the principles of In
ternationai law. and capacity for detach-
ment from domestic politics and personal
political intsrsstA which Mr.. BRYAN
would bring along with himself 10 the post
OF dificult and delicate performance.
We have spoken OF Mr.. BRYAS's de-
fcisnciss ~ obvious. They are 30 obvi.
Gus that We do not believe there Is a think
ing citissn anywhere who would dream Of
the possibility Of his becoming Secretary
OF state for any other reason than In af-
forded BY his merely partisan and per-
sonai relations with the incoming Admin
istration.
III the prfmacy OF the Cabinet Is offered
70 him II will be because he has been
thrice defeated for President because he
10 consplcuous figure. with a considerable
following. In the Democracy at present (;
because he Is yet able. II offended or
sighted. to occasion a good deal OF trouble
to the Wilson Administration. and. per-
haps. because Mr.. WILSON feels himself
under more or less obligation to Mr..
BRYAN for what occurred at Baltimore.
III the post of Secretary Of State II &C.
cepted by Mr.. BRYAN It will not be be-
cause he yearns for the opportunity to
test his diplomatic genius in the presence
Of all the chancelleries. but because he
wants to keep himself In the bright light
Of publicity for the next four years. to
have the opportunity to speak o the Pres
ident and to the party and to the world
through . mere effective msEaphone than
the Commoner, to Be on hand when dis
cussions arise as TO the binding force OF
the single term plank In the Baltimore
platform In short. who doubts that II
Mr.. BRYAN takes this place At the coun-
Gil mahogany Of the Wilson Administra-
ton It will be not 90 much In order tina,
he may At at the Presidents right as in
order that the President shall sit at his
left, within striking range Of his aquiline
eyer
Most disinterested observers will fore.
see In 0 relation Of this sort sure disaster
either to Dr.. WILSON or to Mr.. BRYAN
and perhaps to both. That, however. Ia
Of comparatively small Importance. The
crave concern OF the American people Is
with the possibility that for such per
sonai and partisan reasons an incoming
President, in the exercise Of one OF the
first and one of the most serious respon'
sibilities Of his entire term. may deliber'
ateiy entrust the Department OF state L
% ignorant and 20 rhetorical and % unh
q person a. Is Mr. BRYAN"
In reprinting this opinion and warn
ing. in order that their soundness and
prescience may be tested by the actual
tiles Of subsequent development. TIL
sun departs for once from fixed habi
Of abstention from such exhibitA