The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-11-07
Mr. BRYAN's SUMMON TO THE
FIGHT.

ferrcd not TO SPEAK vi HE AfA'eAN W
election until we should publish his own
address to the people. He has waited to
issue it until the result was settled be-
yond controversy. 1t comes now IKE
ali the utterances that have character
| lied his public life.
In the opening sentence of Mr.. Bry~
ans argument at Chicago, he sald'
'srThis is not a contest among per
sons. The humblest citizen In al
the land, when clad III the arihor
Of n righteous cause, rs stronger imam
all tbe hosts of error they can bring.
| come to speak to you III detense
of cause as holy rs the cause OF
Eherty-the cause of humanity.
7 shall object TO bringing this ques-
ton to the level of persons. The IN
diyidual is but an atom; he is born,
he acts, he dies, but principles are
eternal, and this has been a con-
test of principle"
In similar vein reads his address, is
sued in the hour of his temporary de-
feat. With words that come from his
heart, he expresses his personal thanks
for the love and confidence of the peo-
pie who have cheered him in the conflict,
gracefully including his wife's apprecia-
ton in this personal allusion. But the
keynote of his call to continue the fight is
principle above individuals. Whatever
personal disappointment the result
brought to him he brushes aside as
trihe in comparison with what he be-
lieyes is the loss to the whole people. lie
buries self in his intense desire to secure
legislation for the betterment of the mass
es. He writes as one inspired of old,
fully consecrated to the great work he
is commissioned to do. He will not fall
ter in his duty; he will not compromise
his convictions; he will not acquiesce by
silence in policy of greed he will not
approve the system that makes for the
enrichment of the few, who are enabled
to withhold or give to the poor at pleas
ure; he will not be silenced by defeat or
lose courage through temporary disas-
ter; he will keep the faith, and defend it
with the courage that is born of the
hottest zeal and purest patriotism. Thou
sands will read his address with joy.
it will thrill all sincere believers in the
cause of which he is the leader, and in
SHIRE them to willingness and desire to do
and dare for its success. The people
have been struggling toward the attain
ment of the reforms advocated by Mr..
Bryan. They have been in advance of
their politicians, and in their hearts they
have longed for leader who could feel
as they felt, and who had the ability and
the eloquence to give utterance to the
hopes and aspirations that filled them.
They have now wound the man of match
less eloquence, wonderful endurance, and
supreme faith. They will follow where he
leads with gladness and with confidence
of ultimate success.
Mr.. Bryan stands out before the world
as the Luther of this Civic Reformation.
The result of the election does not deter
him any more than the papal bull deter
red Martin Luther. All Germany was
moved by Luther's heroism. Unless |
be convinced he said, 'by Scripture and
reason, / neither can nor dare retract
anything, for my conscience is a captive
to Gods word, and it is neither safe nor
right to go against conscience. There
/ take my stand. | can do no otherwise,
so help me, God"
The inspiring declarations of Mr.. Bry-
an, LET the roll be called for another
engagement" IF we are right we shall
yet triumph" until convinced Of his
error let each advocate of bi-metallism
continue the work. will have the same
effect upon his supporters as Luther's
refusal to recant had upon the re-
ligious thought of his day. There will
be no submission, in the sense of accept
ance of its truth, in the gold standard,
because sit is neither safe nor right to
go against conscience" Many will read
Mr.. Bryan's words of faith and courage,
and will say with Luther, 'There take
| my stand. can do no otherwise, So
help me, God"
On the morning of Tuesday, May
Goth, of this year the News and Observer
said:
''It is evident that the Democracy
of the far South are in the mood to
nominate Hon. w. j. Bryan, Of Ne
braska, for President. He is the
most eloquent and effective public
speaker in America; is a sincere,
honorable and brave man, and as
the nominee of the party would
create an enthusiasm that would
be as inspiring to the whole coun-
try as Vance's campaign of 1876
which thrilled North Carolina"
The prediction was more than fulfilled.
Great and popular as he was, Vance new
er created the enthusiasm In his own
/ State that Bryan aroused in every por-
/ ton of the Republic. We do not think
| it unsafe to venture another prediction.
Mr.. Bryan will be nominated in 1900.
By that time the people will have be-
come convinced that the gold standard,
government control by banks, and the
unrestricted rule of the trusts have not
/ brought the blessings that were promised,
/ and they will as surely rally to the sup
/ port Of Mr.. Bryan's standard as one hun
4 drad WOO PC a on fhay rnnudiatnd Fadara l.