The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1896-08-27
, N c., THURSDAY. AUGUST ~. 1896.

III. Ills readiness and resources as
debater soon made him dangerous an
tagonist, and the eminence he gained
was maintained during his entire tern
of service. In 1892 he was renominated
The State had been redistricted an6
the First made strongly Republican
Allen w. Field, of Lincoln, an able
lawyer, was pitted against him, but
Bryan pulled through by the slende,
majority of one hundred and forty-two
He declined to make the race third
time, and since his retirement from
Congress he has divided his time be-
tween editorial work on the Omaha
World-Herald and the spreading of the
silver propaganda in the West and
South.
When Mr.. Bryan came to Nebraska
he. wore heavy beard ana mustache,
but he soon discarded both. He has a
strong, clean-cut, fine-lined face. His
eye is kindly, yet piercing. His hair Is
raven black, with widening circle OF
badness upon the crown OF his head.
He Is athletic in build, and his massive
head in profile is strikingly like that Of
his distinguished opponent, Major Nc
Klnley. A Distinguishing feature OF
the man is the unusual width of his
mouth, although the lips are thin and
sensitive. He is a handsome man
whose appearance before an audience
inevitably. attracts instant attention and
interest. The predominant character
istlc of his countenance is frankness.
His mental alertness is shown in every
movement of his eyes, his features
and his lips. His voice is strong,
resonant, pleasing, capable of modula-
ton. His gestures are graceful and
easy, and before an audience he is a
consummate actor, his voice and body
lending themselves easily to the neces-
stiles of the moment. His manners are
most engaging. He never betrays pas
sion, but candor, earnestness, and sin
cerity are the impressions he gives to
his auditors. He is plain, simple, di-
rect In language, and draws his illus
trations impartially from the classics
and from current history.
Mr.. Bryan Is not demagogue; his
sincerity and his earnestness are too ev-
ldent. He is man convinced that his
is the cause of the people that it is sure
to triumph that not all the hordes OF
organized wealth can defeat that cause
upon which he believes GOD has placed
the seal "Just." Secure in that convic-
ton, he has resisted all temptations to
secure riches and certain honors by
wearing the livery of plutocracy, one
of which is said to have involved the
offer, from an Eastern State, of Unit
ed States Senatorship as long as he
wished supposed to have come from
Tammany. In his early life he looked
forward to a Congressional career, and
with that end In view he fitted himself
for discussion of the great problems OF
government. After his t.iumphs In
Congress he dreamed of the Presidency
but the nomination has come to him
earlier than he believed likely.
Mr.. Bryan is politician OF the high
er type. He likes politics. He be-
lieves that every young man should
take an active interest in the game,
and he believes the country would be
all the better for it if they did. He Is
adroit, active, audacious, and tireless,
and under his generalship the old lead
ers have been overthrown. His victory
was achieved partly through tactical
skill and partly through the hold he
has upon the affections of his followers.
His only reverse has been defeat for the
United States Senatorshlp. In 1894 he
made an offensive and defensive alliance
with the Populists to secure the major
1ty OF Cne Legislature, duu, tlOuSA uS-
feated, it was close call for the Repub-
licans, twenty of their Assemblymen
being victors by less than fifty votes.
Mr.. Bryan is a religious man, a trait
of character inherited from his father,
who frequently interrupted the work OF
his court to engage In prayer. But bis
piety is not demonstratlve or intrusive.
He is man OF admirable poise Of char
cter, has never been heard to utter
protane word, nor does he use tobacco
or intoxlcants in any form.
Mr.. Bryan's domestic relations have
been most fellcitous. He was married
twelve years ago to Mary Baird, the
daughter of well-to-do merchant OF
Perry, Illinois, and three children,
Ruth, aged eleven, William j., aged
six, and Grace, aged fiye, have blessed
the Union. He resides at 1926 d. ST.,
in handsome home in which, through
the generosity of his father-in-law, he
was enabled to begin life in the West.
Mrs. Bryan is finely educated woman,
a leader in club lite in the city, and
thoroughly devoted to her husband.
She believes he Is destined to accom-