The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, JULY 13, 1908. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2241, 13 July 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, JULY 13, 1908. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY.

The Democrats of the United States have returned to their old love ami have, decided by an unanimous vote tlmt William Jennings Bryan shulll for a third time represent the party in the Presidential contest. Mr. Bryan was once described as a man ol destiny, but after two successive defeats lor the Presidency ho was "turned down” by his own party four years ago, and his political ideals publicly denounced. It seemed as though liis political sun had surely sunk below the horizon, yet wo find him once more enthusiastically hailed as the one candidate suitablo of carrying the banner of tile great Democratic party. Undoubtedly the result must.be counted as a great persona,! triumph to a very eminent man. The contest for the Presidency will therefore be between Mr. Taft, who was nominated a fow weeks ago by the Republican party, and Mr. Bryan. Populists, Socialists, and Prohibitionists will probably, as in the past, nominate candidates, but tho only result will be to slightly complicate the issue as between tho two chief puties. Had Roosevelt accepted re-nomination by liis party tho contest would have been one-sided, but it is by no means certain that America’s great statesman wiU.be able to command for his nominee tho supjvu't that would have been -accorded to himself. Mr. Taft will be favored by thoso who consider that vital changes in tho way of legislation may injure tho country, and in this respect lio will undoubtedly get tho support of AVall street and tho Trusts. Little as this class is likely to rtHisli one who is pledged to continue Mr. Roosevelt’s policy, they are still less likely to spend their dollars to pluco in tho Presidential chair a man who declares for public ownership of railways, and whoso party has just mado a great reduction in tariff rates a chief plank in its platform. On tho other hand organised labor is likely to support Bryan, for it has a personal grievance against Mr. Taft. In the past tho negroes have invariably given a solid vote for the Republican party, but hero again it is claimed that Mr. Taft will lose votes. The negroes are enraged with Mr. Tuft because, as Secretary of AVar, lio dismissed the men of the Twenty-fifth (black) Regiment after tho aifray at Brownsvi/f.e In Now York tiler© was recently a mass meeting of colored men. A telegram was read from Professor Dubois, of Atlantic University, a loader of his race, in which he said:—“lf Taft beats Foraker and Hughes, negroes must voto for Bryan. Avowed enemy better than false friend.” At once every negro in the hall was on his feet, cheering and shouting, "AA'e will, we will.” The negroes are evidently beginning to realise tti»r power, and resent the old view of their boing a mere permanent annex to tho Republican party. Putting the matter in a nutshiVJ, it is likely to be largely a class contest in which the popular feeling, which is undoubtedly in sympathy with Mr.- Bryan’s viow6, will be opposed by tho monied classes and al!l the interests that money can command. Pounds, shillings, and pence probably count for more in political contests in tho United States than they do in any other country, and it is quite probablo they may turn the scirtle in favor of the Republican candidate. ißoth representatives have been chosen with an almost unanimous call from their parties, and one of tho most interesting Presidential contests that lias been held for a lengthy period should eventuate. The campaign will now he started in earnest, and during the next few months both candidates as well as the most gifted orators on each side wil be "stumping tho country” in an endeavor to impress the free and independent electors of the great Republic who will be called upon to decido the issue in November.