Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-11

Mr.. Bryan's journey across the country.
"a a spectacle. is unquestionably a succ. So
Interest IN young man Of such excep-
tional good fortune, and travelling on an
errand Of such great nom ant is natura Ily
very high. People of all parties are gath
ering to zee him and 70 near him speak.
and large crowds are easily moved 10 DEM
onstrations of enthusiasm.
This Interest may be expected. too, to
continue throughout the whole OF the tin
erary. In New York tomorrow night 1t
may reach its flood. but 1t will run at a
very high tide on to Boston. and clear up
to Mr.. SewalTs home In Maine where Nj
Bryan is 10 be his yokematc's guest. The
New Englanders, no less than the Ohioans,
Pennsylvanians. and New Workers are up
to-date Americans who like excitement
and have a clever knack of helping to get
II up.
Mr. Bryan Is playing with more or less
skill on this spirit He is making the peo-
pie MS text, and he is sticking 20 his text
The same note is heard in every one of his
addresses. be II only sentence or two or
five minutes. in length. He tells every
crowd. great small, that this IS the
peoples year: that they are moving IN
hosts to possess their own; that he himself
counts for hut little. He will not allow
for the element OF personality or curiosity
In tine big with patriotic purpose
He refers to the President in the lowIy
terms Of being Only the peoples hired
man.. and while the phrase may have its
hest effects in the agricultural sections, IT
Is intended to appeal 10 men in the plain
walks OF life everywhere. 1t is to bring the
candidate close to the plain people; to be
assurance that he is one with them In
sI--rra and will nor taI
above them even in the greatest office free
men have TO bestow.
Clever as all this may lie ar campaigning
the spectacle. the speaking. the fattering
OF great crowds TO their very faces-wlll
1t work for victory at the polls? 1t must
give place TO something soberer the
vass lengthens. The campaign cannot be
all spectacle Curiosity will spend itself.
There is real business before the country,
and business frame of mind will be nee
essary for It's transaction. The country Is
In distress: that Is admitted The distress
must lee relieved; that Is the universal de-
sire. But how? Which is the better of the
two policies proposed? The people must
buckle down to the solution OF the problem,
and when they come to that stage Of mat
tiers how much will remain in their minds
TO Influence their decision. Of the hand
for moment one day from the rear plat
form of railroad coach and tickled them
with pleasing reference to their SOW
ere.gnty and power?
Experienced politicians DO not make up
their figures for other than campaign pur
poses from rousing demonstrations in the
presence OF a candidate. They know that
such things are often mislea ding Crowds
curious and crowds are tickle Mr.
Greeley in 1872 addressed audiences of
enormous proportions. but there was Moth
ing 10 show for il at the polls. Mr.. Hill
two years ago in New York and Mr.. Camp
bell in Ohio. had similar experience. The
interest manifested in them a they ap
peaTed On the stump failed Of exhibition at
the polls. 1t is possible that SO far a.
even the most demonstrative of the eastern
States are concerned Mr.. Bryan may taste
OF the same bitter cup in November.