MtMitmimm
JULY 24."1908
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The Commoner.
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T HE
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NEWSPAPERS: -AN-.fr
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The New York Staats Zeftiing has always
opposed Mr. Bryan, but on July 12 Mr. Bryan
received from Herman Rldder, editor of that
great German' pewspaper, this dispatch: "You
may rely on the sincere and earnest support
of the New York Staats Zeltung."
The Buffalo (N. Y.)' Courier, edited by Mr.
Connors, squarely endorses the ticket and prints
this interesting item: "The Utica Observer,
formerly opposed to Mr. Bryan, is in lino this
time.- The only newspapers of any prominence
calling themselves democratic that will bo
against him iu the campaign are those sheets
which, owned and direoted by Wall Street, pre
tend to be democratic in order to act as betray
ers. The public has them all spotted now,- and
their influence is nil."
The Boston Globe, which has heretofore
opposed Mr. Bryan, indicates its position in this
dispatch sent to the New York World in reply to
a query: "Boston, July 10. It is worthy of
note that in all the proceedings of the big and
enthusiastic assemblage at Colorado's capital
there was manifested what ex-Governor Francis,
of Missouri, expressed a desire for when second
ing the resolution in memory of Grover Cleve
land namely, a disposition to let bygones be
bygones. That temper Is apparent in the plat
form. "THE GLOBE."
The Philadelphia Record, which opposed
Mr. Bryan in 189G and in 1900, says: "Under
a deep sense of the responsibility therein in
volved, the Record has determined to support
the candidates of the democratic party. There
isv a drift in both parties away, from safe consti
tutional moorings. But of immediate and vital
Issues that divide the political .opinion of tlie
nation the democratic party is most firmly
rooted in the faith of the fathers. For thirty
years the Record, day in and day out, has striv
en for tariff reform. It will fight on under the
lead of Bryan, who believes the protective prin
ciple not only unjust but unconstitutional. It
Ml! P.on, for unfettered trade and equal
rights under whatever Readership "the war is
waged, in the belief that the, good, of, the masses
is deeply involved in the result."
The Indianapolis News (rep.) says: "We
think that Mr. Bryan is stronger with the peo
ple than he ever Was before, and that the re
publicans will make a great mistake if they as
sume that he can easily be defeated. For the
man is quite as popular as .he oyer was,
has quite as strong a hold, oh the affections
of the peopje and yet he has grown in wisdom
and is, w.ejbelieve, less radical. It is certain
that the old Bryan scare has largely,
passed away. He will this yar be voted for by
thousands of men who, twelve years ago, would
as soon hafve voted for Haywood. Many men
saw in the'Tepublican convention what they be
lieved to be evidence of a retreat. To these
the democratic candidate and the democratic
platform will make a powerful appeal."
Even the New York World in its issue of
July 13 is moved to say: "There are faults
in the Denver platform, but it shows a great
improvement over the platform of 1896 and the
platform, of 1900. It shows a very great im
provement -over many of Mr. Bryan's speeches
during the last two years. Without modifying
any of the criticism which it has made against
certain planks, the World believes that the com
mittee on resolutions is entitled to great credit,
that the national convention is entitled to great
credit and that Mr. Bryan himself is entitled to
reat trredit for- & definition of party policies
which contains so much that is good and avoids
so many disastrous blunders of the past."
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The Charleston (S. C.) 'News and Courier,
which has heretofore vigorously opposed Mr.
Bryan, says: "The riding is not always easy
in the band wagon, the best seats having been
taken by the earliest adventurers, but this year
especial accommodations will be provided for all
sorts and.cbnditions, the circumstances being
such that the master of the show feels that the
patriotic part would bo to Hake a full load.'
We do not know, of course, what others may do,
but as for "us and our house, It the fears which
haunt ua bis morning shall be realized, we
shall take the seats reserved for us in the front
row on' the right of : our peerless' driver, in spite
of the prpfpliecy that 'if i,he tifiiid lead the oliud
Wih' 'shall mi ihto'tho ditch,' for ls.tt no!;" writ-
Ton Irt flirt flnnnl 11 x -.'. - . . ..' . .
-v-. mo uuaii uuuuiumg 10 t. ijuko: which
of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen Into a
pit and will not straightway pull him out on tho
Sabbath day.' "
The Cincinnati Enquirer, which is owned
by John R. McLean, who also owns tho Wash
ington Post, says: "Tho ticket nominated at
Denver is a good one. It combines many ele
ments of strength. Both of tho candidates aro
splendidly equipped mentally and physically.
Both aro excellent campaigners, with a broad
knowledge of public affairs. Each is of unim
peachable character. They go forth In the con-
fidenco of those whose champions they are.
There is going to bo a fight in this year of grace,
1908, and a good one."
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The Washington Post which, as stated. Is
under the same ownership as tho Cincinnati En
quirer, opposes tho ticket and says: "Tho dem
ocratic party certainly can not bo wholly itself
until Mr. Bryan is disposed of. fc If ho is elected,
he will be the party, and can shape it as ho
will. If he is defeated the party will have to
get along without him."
The Columbia (S. C.) State says: "Now
again in 1908 Mr. Bryan is In tho saddle. It is
an unparalleled performance. Tho truth Is that
the man who can survive defeat that would have
utterly obliterated another, Is no ordinary lead
er. He is a man of strength, extraordinary,
phenomenal strength none but a fool can gain
say it. A man of less unusual powers would
already have been in his political grave not
the triumphant champion of a militant party."
The Springfield (Mass.) Republican says:
"Mr. Taft offers by far the superior qualifica
tions, but n certain period must yet elapse be
fore one can say whether the question of per
. sonal qualifications will bo-the decisive factor
in. the minds of jnany progressive independent
voters. One can well afford-to await the develop
mentfl'Of tho next few weeks with an open
ind."
The New York Tribune (rep.) warns Its
leaders against over confidence, saying: "Mr.
Bryan undoubtedly owes his nomination to the
support of the great mass of the democratic
voters. These voters prefer radicalism to con
servatism and Bryan to any other possible dem
ocratic leader. Recognizing this fact iho Trib
une has never considered Mr. Bryan a pitiable
weak candidate. He is obviously stronger as a
vote getter than Judge Parker was in 1904 or
than any other democratic nominee would bo
this year who owed his selection to conserva
tive influences. Republicans will do, well not
to consider the campaign of 1908 a walkover."
....
Declaring for the democratic ticket, tho
Brooklyn Citizen says that Mr, Bryan "is
abundantly justified in the confidence 'he has
repeatedly expressed that under his leadership
the democratic party will be restorpd ,to power
in the nation this year."
The Savannah (Ga.) Press says: "With
out any machine he managed to dominate the
whole convention at Denver, write the platform
and name tho officers. Without any corruption
fund he has run the convention in forty-six
states and written his name at the head of all
the leaders of democracy of America. It ia
something to be able to do this, to preserve this
primacy. The man who can compass so much
doesn't have to be elected president or to bo
inaugurated In the East Wing of the capitol, or
to play tennis with the German ambassador or
to review the fleet off Hampton Roads. He is
just tho chief of tho great American clan."
Henry Watterson in the Louisville Courier
Journal says: "Hurrah for Bryan and Kern;
it is a strong ticket. It Is an honest, sound and
democratic declaration of principles. The party
will accept oth the ticket and the platform with
enthusiasm, and the voters will ratify them at
the polls in November. Henceforward the word
"shall be 'Faction to tho rear; united we stand.' "
Mr. Watterson pompares the coming campaign
with that of 1876, and says the conditions pre-
THE:. TICKET
alllnff today aro the samo as then, no quotes
tho salient points of tho tcrriblo indictment
against tho republican party mndo by tho Tilden
platform and then sounds his keynote. "Wo de
mand that all custom house taxation shall bo
only for revenue." Ho says that thoro is only
ono pnramount question In tho campai-u, and
that is: "Can tho pcoplo by tholr own unaided
strength change their government against tho
marching army of fodoral officeholders, support
ed by unlimited supplies either wrung from or
contributed by tho corporations." He closes as
follows: "Tho peoplo have prevailed against a
great deal of maneuvering and not a little mon
ey; they have prevailed over tho doubts and
fears of many, tho prejudices of othors; but pre
vail thoy havo, distinctly a absolutely. In
standing to Mr. Bryan, as tho Whigs should
havo stood to Mr. Clay, they take the responsibil
ities into their own hands, choosing their ticket
as wise women chooso their husbands, to suit
themsolveB, saying to ono another now, and
ready to say to tho world and to tho bittor ond,
if that be tho will of tho Lord as, pleaso God,
it shall not be ' 'Tis bettor to havo loved and
lost than nevor to havo loved at all.' Botter,
yea, a thousand times botter, tho old faith and
tho old flag, so that if wo must go down wo
shall go down shouting. That is tho soul of
democracy, unterrifled and undeflled. That is
the spirit which snatches brands from tho ashes
and sets them blazing upon tho altar of truth.
That is tho fellowship that binds men and wins
battles even with pebbles against mail-clad
giants, though hell should belch forth million
aires and Satan bar tho way."
The Butte (Mont.) Miner says: "Tho dem
ocrats in this campaign havo tho right men
standing upon an Impregnable platform."
t
Tho Norfolk (Va.) Pilot says: "For our
selves there is no hesitation in arriving at a
decision. This pqper sees hope for tho country
only In a democratic triumph."
Declaring for tho ticket tho Columbus
(Ohio) Press-Post says: "But Mr. Bryan could
not have achieved his ronomination by dictation.
Ho had none of the powero at his command
which aro essential to mako a dictator invincible,
even ifho woro thus Inclined. His popularity
with the people rests oh a more secure founda
tion, elso it would not survive two defeats and
bo stronger than before."
The Brooklyn Eagle, a paper which, while
claiming to bo democratic, has always opposed
Mr. Bryan, declares its preference for Mr. Taft.
The Now York Times says that Mr. Taft
will bo "reasonable, calm and sane," and It will
therefore support him.
The Now York Evening Post says: "No In
telligent survey of tho nation's defenses against
Bryanism can blink tho truth that thoy havo
been greatly weakened during tho past four
years. It is not possible today to rally the con
servative forces of the country in opposition to
Bryan so splendidly as in 1896. Everybody
knows the reason why. You can not revile a
man whom you havo imitated. A party that
has appropriated Bryan's ideas can not, with,
good effect, attack his person. At tho very be
ginning of the republican campaign, it Is the
part whethe- of frankness or sound generalship
to admit that power of resistance to Bryan has
been much broken by four years of yielding
to him. President Roosevelt's avowed and de
liberate purpose has been to head off Bryan
by stealing his Issues. Tho argument, or threat,
which he has constantly used has been: 'If you
do not go half way with me, you will have to
go the whole way with Bryan.' Well, we see
now what comes of the plan of fighting a danger
ous enemy by surrendering to him. The Bryan
who was to be extinguished is exalted higher
than ever."
The Louisville (Ky.) Times says: "Mr.
Bryan's place in the trust of his fellow Ameri
cans Is secure. The platform on which he stands
Is tho democratic party's call to arms under his
leadership to all. who believe that the peoplo
shall govern. It Is devoid of theories. It deals
(Continued on Page 12)
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