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The Commoner.
NOVEMBER 27, 1908
SOLVING THE MYSTERY OF 1908
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Charles M. Zlrklc, Berryton, Kan. Our
,townshlp mado democratic gains, but a few de
serted us towards the close of the campaign;
cause for fear of hard times if Bryan should
be elected. For the present stick to the Denver
platform. Wo can hardly win with all the cor
porate capital against us. In the last issue of
The Commoner you publish "Religion in Poll
tics," by Roosevelt. Did not Roosovelt oppose
the election of Smoot as senator for the reason
that Smoot is a Mormon?
G. T. Werline, Nadeau, Mich. In my opin
ion, an unreasoning indefinable unjustifiable ap
prehension of great calamity, an imbecile in
tellectual panic did it.
Hal M. Moran, Winfield, Kan. In regard
to the "mystery of 1908" kindly allow me to
say, that while the democratic party mado gains,
yet we lost this county and I attribute it to the
fact that about all the large newspapers seem to
be controlled by our opponents, and the people
were continually told we would have hard times
if Mr. Bryan was elected. An overwhelming
majority of all the newspapers which go daily
into our homes are republican. It is almost
impossible to get a good democratic daily here
on time. Kindly allow me to suggest that The
Commoner solicit contributions to a fund for
the purpose of establishing a number of large
democratic dailies with Mr. Bryan at the head
of them that the people get the truth. I would
bo glad to contribute according to my ability,
and three million democrats and liberty lovers
would in all probability be anxious to send in
their dollar.
Edward McClain, Manzanola, Colo. Would
say our precinct, county and state made sub
stantial gains; reasons for our success, well or
ganized workers in party, and a "still hunt." I
have an abiding faith that the democratic party
will yet triumph and gain control of the federal
government. Cause of our 1908 national de
feat was the Catholic vote in every large city
all over the United States, more especially in
New York City, something that none of our
workers thought about looking after.
William A. Thompson, Huron, S. D. Re
formers of the future must depend upon direct
legislation. No great reforms are possible un
der the conditions that obtain by the ascendency
of any political party. The recent defeat of
the democratic party in spite of the Herculean
efforts of W. J. Bryan dembnstrates the facts
that "vested rights" will ever avail themselves
of the opportunity to coerce, or purchase, the
willing slave, whose numbers preclude the pos
sibility of a reform under party management.
W. R. Pattangall, Waterville, Me. What
course shall reformers adopt in the future?
Work. Go slow. Take one definite, practical,
concrete reform and stick to it until it is accom
plished. Do not try to do too much at once.
The country is large and educates slowly. Too
many ideas confuse people. Too many innova
tions frighten them. One thing at a time is
a good rule in politics. "Can the democratic
party hope ever to gain control of the federal
government?" "Ever" is a long time and de
mocracy always hopes. In this instance the
hope may reasonably be expected to be fulfilled
in 1912, provided that in the meantime the
' democratic party shows itself capable of gov
erning well the states which were given into
its control at the last election. Democracy will
win when the people are convinced that it
ought to win and not until then and they must
be convinced by works not words.
A. J. Kinnaird, Carrollton, Mo. As a
farmer I wish to give my opinion in answer
to the questions on the first page of The Com
moner of November 13. First, yes. Second,
many democrats believed that Candidate Cow
herd got his nomination by fraud. The 50,000
negroes were driven into the republican ranks
in this state by the foolish threats of disfran
chisement and "Jim Crow" Cars by the fools
in charge of the democratic campaign. Not
many of them could bo Induced by love or
money to vote with the democrats. When they
know we have to conciliate the negro vote, how
foolish to stir Up race antipathy. Third, How
-can we, with republican partnership with cor
porations and their reciprocity arrangement.
The corporations to buy the elections and give
the offices to the republican politicians and the
-politicians in turn give them the, power to fleece
those dear lambs, the American people. Isn t
it easy?
J. Kellogg, Little Rock, Ark. I felt very
THE SCOPE OF THE INQUIRY
In its Issuo of November 13, The Commoner
invited contributions to a symposium, having
for its purpose an inquiry into tho causes of
the results of tho 1908 election. The Commoner
asked tho co-operation of Jts readers in every
section of the country, submitting these
questions:
Did tho democratic party make lossos hi
your county and precinct?
If so, to what influence Were such losses
due?
"What course shall reformers iadopt for
tho future? . .i
Can' the democfatic party hope ever to gain
control of tho federal government?
The first installment of this symposium is
printed in this issue. It should be understood
that the publication of any particular opinion
does not mean that Tho Commoner endorses
that opinion. In order that tho Inquiry shall
be thorough it will bo necessary that wide scope
be given tho contributors to this symposium,
and these opinions are to bo printed with the
names of the writers.
For the preparation of this symposium Tho
Commoner must lay down certain unalterable
rules:
First, replies must bo brief and to tho point.
Second, tho writing must be plain.
Third, tho tono must bo respectful, tho lan
guage non-llbelous and free from epithet al
though the widest possible latitude will be
given for the description of tho conditions that
contributed to the result and tho expression of
opinion as to tho future course of reformers.
Tho name of tho contributor will bo used.
The Commoner will continue this sympo
sium from week to week, covering sufficient
time and space in which to clear up "The Mys
tery of 1908."
hopeful, In fact almost certain of our success
until about tho last day. I found quite a num
ber of democrats who seemed to fear a panic
if our candidates were elected. Then I found
bankers, as a rule, regardless of politics were
opposed to our guaranty idea. I did not sym
pathize with such cowardly sentiments, but I
am sure they had much to do with our defeat.
In this state many democrats remained away
from tho polls and did not vote, because they
thought our ticket safe, both local and national.
Consequently our majorities were greatly re
duced. I have always voted the democratic
ticket, but I must confess it looks as if our
party may never succeed. We can not have a
better platform or stronger candidates than we
have had this time.
Thomas A. Flannery, Indianapolis, Ind.
First, Mr. Bryan carried ray precinct by 100 ma
jority, a gain of 129 vptes, because there were
honest democrats on the election board, in said
precinct. Second, Mr. Bryan lost Marlon county
by 237 votes, because there were dishonest dem
ocrats on some of the election boards in said
county. Third, Adopt the Denver platform In
full in the year 1912 and drive all political
rascals from the democratic party. Put honest
democrats on tho election boards in every pre
cinct in the United States. This is the course
the reformers in the democratic party should
adopt in the future. The democratic party can
gain control of the federal government in this
way and no other. If the democratic party
adopts above said policies I win vote for the
next nominee in 1912, providing ho Is an honest
and sincere man. If not I shall never cast an
other vote.
Western Starr, Chicago, 111. First, Waiv
ing purely local issues and candidates, tho demo
cratic party made losses in Cook county, 111., and
in the precinct in which I live. Second, losses
were due to various influences operating with
more or less effect in different sections of the
whole country. In Cook county local influences
strove to make tho local campaign Independent
of tho goncral campaign. An analysis of tho
voto tends to show that tho reactionary element
of tho party, cooperating throughout tho coun
try, made use of religious prejudlco In support
of tho republican national ticket. Tho action
conclusively shown on the part of Tammany was
general and not local. A sub-conscious fooling
that the democratic party was afraid to grapplo
effectively with tho ono conspicuous nbuso of
power growing out of republican policies in tho
tariff and tho trusts. A fcoling that tho demo
cratic party was In search of Issues that might
win popular support, Instead of making tho
fight upon tho vital Issuo. Third, Tho party of
reform should adopt a course directing Its nt
tack upon the vital Issuo of tho tariff and its
allied and dependent abuses as being unjust
and immoral, and appealing to tho moral sense
of the public. No just appeal to tho sound
moral judgment of the people has ovor boon
defeated In tho ultimate, and thoro is ovory
ground for a belief that this Judgment Is as
quick among tho Amorlcan people today as It
has ovor been In any ago or In any nation.
Fourth, Under whatever name It may bear, a
party of tho people will as Inevitably gain con
trol of the fcdoral government, as it inspires
public confidence that it is worthy.
Theodore D. Jersey, Charleston, S. C. If
Tho Commoner can supply a full statement of
tho returns of elections for tho rocont olactlon,
federal and state, together with tho raturna tor
tho previous elections, a careful study of those
may reveal tho system, by which the four elec
tions have been carried tov tho republican presi
dential candidates. My own opinion Is, that wo
will find ovldence of a system, gradually per
fected to something most extraordinary for this
year, whero its operations have been so remark
able and astonishing, as to bo almost marvel
ous. Crudely worked at great oxpenso In 1890,
its facility to produce tho desired result at a
smaller expenditure, has been gradually ob
tained, through practice at each recurring elec
tion. I do not see how wo can hopo to find out
either the amount of, or source from which, tho
bulk of tho money came, by which tho demo
cratic candidates wcro defeated in this last
presidential contest. I look for a statement,
sworn to, demonstrating, apparently, an amount
contributed to tho republican national presi
dential committee, but little, If at all, in excess
of that declared by tho democratic treasurer. , I
doubt very much whether tho very Instrumental
ities, by which this astonishing result were
effected, have any Idea how they contributed
to it; but they can possibly be helped to arrive
at an understanding, with care and patience;
bift it will require time and labor. Tho next
four years will bo years of groat possibilities.
The backbone of the democratic party was never
weaker than it Is today. From his tempera
ment and, on account of existing conditions,
Taft's chance of breaking the solid south Is far
stronger than that of Roosevelt or McKlnley
and, unless something occurs whjph I do not
clearly foresee at this time to prevent It, Presi
dent Taft may bring to bear upon tho south
Influences calculated to precipitate a debacle.
This I would profoundly regret. Tho injury
-to tho country at large will bo great; but wo
must realize while not yet as completely com
mercialized as tho north and west, the process
of commercialization is in progress throughout
the nation, and the south is feeling It more and
more each day. Men ten and twenty years your
and my junior may have as high Ideals, but
their belief in tho power of money is greater
and this wide spreading opinion Is benumbing.
They lino up for the fight believing that they
have no chance, that a sufficient number of
votes can be brought north and west to offset
the vote of tho solid south and such as may
through almost superhuman exertions bo thrown
with it for government by the people. Thero
never has been and never will bo found any
political organization or aggregation which will
not weaken under repeated defeat.
H. Van Giflin, Des Moines, la. Complying
with your request to the people as to their
opinion of the cause of the defeat of the demo
cratic principles, represented by you, I would say
that nothing else has done it but the scare of
the employed brought on by the threats of tho
employer, combined with the favor of Mr. Taft
by tho Catholics and Jews on account of his
dealing in the Philippine Tslands and bis un
belief In the Divinity of Christ. '
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