OCR Text |
Show BRYAN AS THE CHOOSER. It is amazing to see the assurance of Mr.' Bryan in assuming to be the guide and dictator of the Democratic party. In his speech in Columbus, Ohio, iu spite of all that has been said of the repudiation of his leadership, both in his home State and by the Dcmdcratic majority in tho House of Representatives, Representa-tives, he still holds to the idea that ho is supremo in the party. He says flatly that he intends to devote all of his timo between now and tho Democratic nomination for President to finding put about all the leading men of the- party, those who have hindered and those who have helped its progress. It is woll understood that his idea of hindering the Democratic party is the act of those who have refused to support him, and that those who have "helped it are those who have helped to nominate and have voted for him. Tt is a very narrow view to take of party fealt" and obligation, but it is evident that Mr. Bryan considers himself and his personal fortunes the true test of party loyalty. Thoee who have been for him are good Democrats; those who have not have betrayed their party. And he runs his cup of assumption as-sumption over -when he says that "when the time comes to namo the man for the candidacy, I will not be silent." That means, if it means anything, any-thing, that Mr. Bryan intends and expects ex-pects to name the Democratic nominee for the Presidency, next year. And in the meantime, it maj' 'fairly be judged from his address, that he will undertake under-take to tear clown the fences of any aspirant of whom ho docs not approve. It is all a remarkable assumption for Mr. Brj'an to make, in view of his emphatic em-phatic repudiation by the Democratic party of Nebraska, and by the Democratic Demo-cratic majoritj' in tho House. It will be a titanic struggle indeed if he should undertake to make his assumptions assump-tions good, and whether ho should succeed suc-ceed or not, ho would be likely to destroy whatever chance his party has to win. Jt. |