Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-06-28
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
As Analysed By William J. Bryan Who Attended
As Correspondent
BY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.
(Copyriqht, 1916, by w. J. Bryan.)

copyright, 1916, by w. }. 7ryan.)
st. Louis, Mo.-Thc Democratic
party has spoken; it has picked up
the gantlet thrown down by the two
other parties In their recent conven-
lions; the Issues have been joined, and
The country Is now ready for the battle
which will determine whether the
hands of President Wilson shall be
upheld or whether Republicans again
the mighty.
By tho will of the Democratic ma
hOnal convention, which was marked
throughout by harmony and loyalty to
the president, the party goes into the
coming fight under the same leader
ship as in 1912, and standing upon
platform which Endorses unreservedly
the policies Of the present admins
trntion and embodles declarations Of
principle around which 1t is believed
people Of all classes and Of all parties
ean rally.
Contrast In Conventions.
What a contrast between the con-
vention here and the two conventions
at Chicago At Chicago, plutocracy,
nnrepentant signnliZed it's return to
supreme authority In the Republican
party. At St. Louis Democracy as
sembled to organize its fight to hold
the economic reforms secured, main-
tain neutrality and peace In the midst
Of a world Of war and advance the
lines in the direction of greater social
Justice.
At Chicago, all was chaos. In one
convention number Of favorite sons
divided the attention of the delegates
while the managers, as smooth group
pr machine politicians as ever manipu.
lated party, Unanswered for the car
rying out Of the plans Of the special
interests. They did not dare to nomi-
pate the man Of their choice, but they
we're in position to select their second
choice. The other convention was q
Ease Of unreQuited affection. No lover
ever pleaded his cause more eloQuently,
and no hard-hearted maiden ever re-
turned q more chilling response.
SlAl ACFc4 ull11y SOu UuI SIldlA
always be your FRIEND" is cordially
Itself compared with the colonel's
lrigid refusal to link his fortunes long
er with the Progressive party.
At St. Louis all was harmony and
hopefulness. There was no division
as to the presidential nomination and
but little conflict over the vice presi-
dency. There was agreement upon the
platform and everybody was happy.
The convention was ready to consult
the presidents pleasure In regard to
the Issues to be emphasized and the
president was as anxious to ascer-
tain the sentiment of the delegates.
The situation could hardly be better
from Democratic standpoint.
If the two branches Of the Repub-
hcan party had conferred in spirit of
friendship and come together on q
compromise ticket they might have
made a strong fight, but, instead Of
that, the regular Republicans were
merciless.
They showed no respect whatever
for the wishes or feelings Of the Pro-
gressives, the old guard was in control
and Republican victory will restore
to power those who represent plans
md purposes of the plutocratic ele.
ment
The Republican party makes the up.
peal to the standpoint element of the
country only. The Progressives are
disappointed and disheartened by
Roosevelt's refusal to run. They are
sheep without shepherd. They are
open to Democratic appeal-the Demo
cratic party's opportunity is here. Il
can and should appeal to the Progress
sives. The presidents splendid reform
work and the party's record combine
to give strength to this appeal.
Would Welcome Proqressives.
There is no doubt of the desire OF
the delegates to 60 as far as possible
In the direction Of making the Demo
cratic position attractive to the home
less Progressives, and the presidents
attitude on domestic problems makes
the task an easy one.
Colonel Roosevelt's attack upon the
president was confined to international
questions, and the criticisms Of thu
presidents course to which the Pro
gressive convention gave Endorsement
will be discarded along with Mr.
Roosevelt. In leaving the Progressive
party the colonel carried with him al
that was Rooseveltesque and left nj
that was valuable in the way Of re
form principles and policies. Thu
Democratic convention can please tn,
Progressives in three ways.
Wall Street Controls.
First, it can tell the truth about tn,
Republican party's subserviency t,
predatory wealth. The Republican or
ganization Is in the hands Of the mer
who ore responsible for spreading ,
Belshazzar's feast for the exploiting O.
the country. If 1t ever showed an.
symptoms Of responding to the arouse,
conscience Of nation 1t has gon,
back to its ''wallow In the mlre." It
! invitation is now extended to ever.
special interest and the invitation vii
call to the Republican banner all til,
4 hosts Of Wall street. They were one
mighty, even to the point Of being ir
resistible, but their methods have bee,
/ exposed and their support, when un
derstood, is liability rather than a,
asset. The president has ALLEVIATE,
the money powers by the firm stant
q which he took on currency reform
4 antitrust legislation and on the tarif
III m,,oc<ior ond ho still F,,r+hov ofpoo = -.