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The Commoner.
WILLIAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
! " :- V
VOL. 8,'NO.44-' .": :1:
.
Lincoln, Nebraska, November 13, 1908
Whole Number' 408
SOLVING THE "MYSTERY OF 1908
99
It is easy enough to glvo the question,
"How did it happen?" an offhand answer. Pos
sibly even after-the most careful inquiry the
answer will be, In a degree, speculative.
In tho light of the situation, as seen prior
to election day by the campaign managers of
both parties, "How did it happen?" is a prob
lem worth solving. The Commoner purposes to
undertake along practical lines tho solution of
this problem.
It is all very well for victorious campaign
managers and their lieutenants to beat the torn
torn and claim all credit for their superior
generalship; it is all very well for political
writers to indulge in the proud boast, 'I told
you so," but it is the simple truth that neither
political managers, or writers, neither candidates .
or counsellors foresaw tho result of tho, presl
dential campaign as it was written in the re-
.iurnivpftfdvenlb(Br J. In support of this state
- . . -
ihent -we nded but recall the fact that in 1008,
for the first time in history, the republican can
didate for t!:e presidency engaged in an extend
ed stumping tour throughout the country. Po
litical correspondents, anxious to maintain the
role of prophets, hesitated to make predictions;
while in ono paragraph they held out hope to
the dominant party In another paragraph they
described conditions to bo such as to preclude
the dominant party from winning. Straw votes,
in former campaigns so generally encouragjng
to tho republican party, were, in this campaign,
uniformly indlcativo of democratic victory.
While it is true that many republican n -vspa-pers
printed tables showing that their candi
date would receive a largo majority in tho elec
toral college, most of theso-newsppers took tho
pains to insist that thoy were not engaged in
ma'-'.g predictions.
How, tien, did it haen that tho result
was so wholly at varianco with tho hopes of
,ono party, with tho fears of tho other and with ,
the general opinion among mon accustomed to
the study of political conditipns and public
sentiment?-
That. .is tho question which Tho Commoner
hopes to solve. Tho inquiry Tho .Commonor
wlllmako-is not prompted by idle curiosity
but in order - that men who regard citizenship
as a trust may be able to discharge their duty
with intelligent concern for tho future.
To this end Tho Commoner asks co-operation
of Its readers in every section of tho -country.
"Did tho democratic party mnko louses fn
your county and precinct? ; .'
"If so, to what Influonco wero such Jpsacs
duo? -V. '
"What course shall reformers ndoplfor tho'
future? .
"Can tho democratic party Iiopo oVortQ
gain control of the fodoral govornmontf'C'l.'
Theso aro tho questions which Ths? Com
moner submits for tho candid consideration of
its readers.
4 For tho preparation of this uymponlum Tho
Commoner must- lay down cortafn unalterable
rules i -
First, ropjiea must bo brief and to tho point.
Second, tho writing muBt bo plain. V?' '
Third, the tone must bo respectful, tho Jan-. .
guago' non-llbelous and freo from cpithetaX-'
though . tho widest noHpJblo 1atltudQ.w4.ug. -given
for tho' description of the conditions that
contributed to tho result and the expression of
Opinion as to tho future course of reformers.
Tho name of tho contributor will to used,
except whero tho use. of thid.narao Is forbidden,
Tho Commonor will continuo thin irymnp
slum from week to week, covering oufTilont"
time and space iu which to clear up "The Mys
tory of 1908."
A BATTLE LOST-A WAR BUT BEGUN
To the Readers of The Commoner:
The election of 1908 is over and th re
turns disclose a signal victory for our opponents,
but the principles for which our party stands,
the policies for which our party contends these
are not dead. A good proposition is not made
bad by rejection at the polls; a needed reform
Is not made unnecessary by an adverse vote.
The legislation asked for by tho democratic
party in its last national platform was not of a
temporary character it was legislation which
will -be of permanent advantage when it Is
secured.
Does anyone believe that the American peo
ple will permanently permit secrecy as to cam
paign contributions? Does anyone believe that
the American people will permanently permit
the will of the voters to be thwarted, as it is
now, by the election of senators through legisla
tures? Does anyone believe that the trusts will
be permitted to permanently exploit the masses?
Does anyone believe that the consumer will
permanently permit the tariff to be written by
the beneficiaries of that tariff? Does anyone
believe that the public will permanently tolerate
estrangement between labor and capital? Does
anyone believe that the fifteen millions' of de
positors will forever permit their savings to be
jeopardized as at present? Does, anyone believe
that the extravagance of the government will
go on forever unchecked? Does anyone believe
that our republic will permanently consent to a
colonial policy with it3 humiliations and finan
cial burdens? There must be a party represent
ing the people's protest against wrong in high
places, against corruption in politics and against
tho oppression of tho struggling masses; and
the democratic party must continue its fight or
dissolve. It could not exist as a plutocratic
party.
During tho last twelve years the democratic
party has accomplished more out of power than
tho republican party has accomplished in office,
and this Is a sufficient reward for those who
fight for a righteous cause. It would have been
pleasant to have been able to reward worthy
democrats with official positions, but the most
worthy of tho democrats are not looking for
official positions, they are looking for good gov
ernment, and they labor unselfishly for the pro
motion of good government. They will neither
be discouraged nor dismayed by defeat. They
can not cease to be Interested In the govern
ment, for indifference would only invito worso
abuses than those from which we now suffer.
The fight must be continued because a good gov
ernment is the richest legacy that a parent can
leave to a. child.
As foif myself, let no one worry about my
future. The holding of office is a mere incident
in the life of those who aro devoted to reforms.
Tho re'forn 'is tho essential thing. If one can
advance reforms by holding office, then the
holding of office is justifiable; If ono can best
advance reforms as a private citizen, then the
holding of office Is undesirable. Tho world owes
mo nothing; I havo been abundantly compen
sated for what I havo been able to do. Mjr 4 if'
will not bo long enough to repay, tho' peopl
for their support, and for tho confidenco which
thoy have expressed. My gratitude to thoso
with whom I havo labored surpasses languago
and tho days of the future will be devoted to
work In tho Interest of the people as I under
stand that interest, and in behalf of those re
forms which seem to me to be tho best. I in
vito tho co-operation of thoso who approve, and
I shall not be deterred by the criticism of thoso
who disapprove. With an abiding faith in tho
triumph of the truth and an unfaltering confi
dence in tho righteousness of our cause, 1 speak
this word of encouragement to thoso who call
themselves friends. I shall keep step with "them
and march on. The measure of our work can
not bo taken in a day. If wo aro right, as I
believe we aro, It will vlndlcato us; if we con
tribute, as I believe wo aro contributing, to "a
cause that is founded In justice, our efforts wm
weigh in the final victory.
"Yea, though thou He upon tho dust,
When thoy who helped thee flee In fear,
Dio full of hope and manly trust,
Liko those who fell in battle here.
Another hand thy sword shall wield.
Another hand tho standard wave,
Till from tho trumpets mouth Is pealed,
. The blast of triumph o'er thy.- grave." '
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