On Saturday last the Populist Convention nominated Mr. Bryan for
the Presidency, but refused to endorse the Demo- cratic nomination for Vice-President, choosing instead Mr. Watson, of Georgia, as their candidate. The choice of the Populists will, it is said in some quarters, do Mr. Bryan more harm than good, but it is pointed out that in 1892 the Populists polled over a million votes for their candidate. Mr. Cleveland on that occasion was elected by 5,554,000 votes. On the whole, the dread of a victory for silver is gaining ground. In other words, Mr. Bryan is ceasing to be regarded as a candidate pour rire, and is being looked on instead as a serious menace to the welfare of the States. It is now generally believed that the gold Democrats will nominate a third candidate, considering that they will help Mr. McKinley better in that way than by attempting to give him direct support. Meantime a large number of people declare that Mr. McKinley should drop the tariff issue, and stand solely as an honest-money candidate. The result of these efforts will be made known when he publishes his letter accepting the nomination. On the wording of that letter will depend whether Protection is still to be put in the forefront of the battle.
