The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-10-02

ING ING Respective cdnuldaLeS OF tnelf respect
tive parties would probably be in
teresting reading if it were not intended
tor the privacy of their friendship.
But when the selection has been de-
cTded,, then a new alignment in politics
may be expected. Senator johnson win
endeayor to lead the progressive wing of
the Republican party and William Jen-|
nlngs. Bryan probably will feel that if,
Cox is defeated the mantle of leadership
should go to the oldest of the Democratic
leaders in. America today--himself.
1t Is from the 'Commoner'' itself
which IS published here that the straws
are taken which. show the way the wind
is blowing. In the current ISSUE one
finds under, the signature of William
Jennings Bryan, the following editorial
about Hiram johnson: T
!, Senator johnson has come nearer
imam any other associate of Mr. Roese-
Welt, maintaining hold upon the-pre-
gressive sentiment OF his party. He snr-
pfised the Wall street crowd by the fol-
lowing he developed among the rank and
hle OF. that, party. If there had been a
national primary so that all Republicans
could have expressed themselves through
the ballot he would have exerted a much
larger influence in the Republican con-
ventlon. He was .hampered by lack of
newspaper support-he had no wav of
getting his case before the voters
On another page but near enough not
to be overlooked is reprinted from the
sunset Magazine a paragraph from an
article under the signature of Hiram
johnson which says: .t
1T was refreshing to listen to William
Jennings Bryan at the Democratic. ma
tIonal convention. There may be little
he said with which we agree but at least
ne had his say. He stood before hos
tile, convention, spoke his heart, and
while the delegates stolidly voted against
him, he moved the galleries to the one
genmne demonstration in the gathering
When man stands his ground in the
face OF newspaper rihicule and organized
opposition, and breaches the faith that
is i'm him, he commands the admiration
and respect of those who love courage
and free expression Mr.. Bryan repre-
sents a dwindling few III our national
life. Those who vet believe in the Am
erican right of free speech and frank
discussion. In battling for his principles,
openly and urageousIy-although our
views may be at variance with his-Mr
Bryan performs a real and a much
needed service in our politics.
Now the inference drawn by many no
Itieal observers in recent years has been
that some dav there would be coalition
of progressives recruited from the Dem
ocratic and Republican parties and ANAL
gamated in a third party. But the infer
ence is far from being realized. Third
parties are futile in the Judgment of
Z.
the Non-Partisan league has shrewdly
foreseen the almost impossible struggle
that confrOnts minority party and has
captured the Republican or Democratic
primaries in state as the case NAV be
and then gone to the voters with all the
advertising and prestige that the old par
" labels can command.
Messrs. Bryan and johnson have in
common a desire to get possession of the
leadership of the two big parties, by bor-
ing from within. But William Jennings
Bryan has given his townsfolk something
to think about this year by his tendency
to depart from the lines OF regularity
which he has so often boosted. Time
was when Bryan would defv his critics
to point to him as holter from his mar
~. Today in the Commoner, impelled
by the force of a big moral question like
prohibition, he is ready to forsake col
leagues in the Democratic party and is
appealing to the people to vote for dry
Republicans and Progressive Republicans
in every congressional district where the
Democratic candidate may be wet or re-
dictionary.
This Kind of tactics has been the back
bone of Non-Partisan league strategy in
the West Bryan's political independence
this year is causing comment. lie plays
close to the radical movement which IS
sweeping the West. He is heart and
soul in the prohibition fight. His friends
far as congress is concerned. but that
his support of Governor Cox VIII never
develop from the vague and indefinite
stage which it Is at present because or
the league of nations questions. Bryan
thinks Governor Cox stands commlttedl
to the Wilson position of opposition to-
the league of nations with the Lodge res
ervations. To get Bryan's support; Gov
ernor Cox would have to espouse the set
Of reservations to the peace treaty voted
for bv several Democratic senators last
year in vain but desperate hope of sat
isfving Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. The
Democrats who stood by Mr. Wilson and
the Republicans who like Hiram john
son opposed the entire league formed al
combination big enough to prevent rat
ification on the Lodge basis.
But on domestic legislation. posslblel
war with Mexico, changes in federal re-
serve banking system and the revival OF
the protective tariff, Mr. Bryan may be
fully expected to jump into the fray as
the leader of the progressives on the
Democratic side if Governor Cox should
be defeated. Senator Johnson like SEN
ator Lenroot, of Wisconsin, Is planning
a group fight against everything reaction |
ary that may be proposed from any
quarter in the next administration. FOR
the present, Bryan and johnson are ext
changing views and veteran politicians
that they are, they wait calmly TOR thel
Ides of November.