The Washington herald., 1915-11-10
Democracy's Great Mistake.

The strongest impeachment of the intelligence
of the managers of the Democratic party lies in
the fact not that they chose William ]. Bryan
their leader in 1896. when they hardly knew him,
but that they nominated him second and third
time as their candidate for the Presidency, and
have ever since submitted to his dctation as to
platform principles and the selection of candi-
dates for the higher Offices, despite his repeated
failures in every direction. Once installed as
leader he proceeded to drive from associate lead.
ership the ablest of the party-such men as
Cleveland, Carlisle, Morton, Olney, Whitney, and
others of national reputation statesmen who
had rejected his doctrines, including the financial
reputation that he attempted in Iso6-the I6 to
1 quackery.
With these men out of his path he proceeded
with his program of populistic theories Che never
was anything but populist) to his hearts con-
tent, with single exception. Having been so
thoroughly repudated on his reputation scheme
of I6 to 1, he could no longer make that the
paramount issue for his party; but anti-imperial-
ism, the attempted array of class against class,
the fostering of prejudices and hatred by work
men against their employers, plainly shown in
his stump speeches; government ownership OF
railroads. trust busting. and other socialistc no
tions, were all exploited by him in the political
campaigns of 1900, 1904, and 1908 to the serious
injury of the Democratic party. The party was
beaten on those occasions nearly to a standstill
under his leadership and policies.
At Baltimore he was again allowed to write
the platform upon which the party won the Presi-
dental election through the split in the ranks OF
the Republicans and the promised reduction in
the cost of living. which promise has not yet
been made good. Instead of it there took place
the well-known disastrous effect on the business
of the country, with the serious loss of revenue
to its Treasury. Through the support OF his party
following he was foisted upon President Wilson'S
administration which he promptly committed, as
Secretary of State, to the stupid policy that con-
tinued the war and anarchy IN Mexico, with
slaughter and destruction everywhere of our own
and other foreign citizens lives and property.
His Grass ignorance of and conditions in
Mexico prevented him from recognizing the de
facto government of the only capable OF
bringing about law and order in that distracted
republic. For this history will hold him re-
sponsible for war instead of peace there-and he
the platitudinous apostle of peace and its Chad
band preacher.
And now the great disciple of peace at any
price proposes to make war on President Wilson
on the question of national defense-one more
mistake which will probably see his finish. Fool
ISL anu oeSuheu as INC DehoGaue party mas
been in believing Bryan to be statesman instead
of an unntelligent politician, it is hardly think
able, that any considerable number will follow
him in this latest ambitious and selfish program.
1t is to be expected, of course, that small num-
Der of persons who look upon Bryan as the great
est man who ever came earth-if indeed he is
a and not god whom they are to fall down
and worship-wil follow him in abject slavery
to the end of nowhere; but there is little doubt
that the vast majority of Democrats have reeov-
cred their senses concerning him and will now
look upon him the quack OF quacks