Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-07-31

In tongrc>s-Iais Famous Cam
paisn for Congress The Man
and His Record An Eloquent
Champion of the People.
William Jennings Bryan, the Demo
crat C nominee for President OF the
United States, is but 81 years Of age,
year older than the limit OF eligible
ity provided for by the constitution.
But he has the appearance-despite
his smooth face-the ripe wisdom and
the experience in politics and business
OF a man much older.
He was born on IL farm just outside
the little town OF Salem, His, in the
year loG0. His father, a lawyer OF
high standing, represented the Salem
district in the State Senate for years
and was Circuit Judge for II years
Judge Bryan had strong religious
sentiments and a peculiar habit OF
opening his court with devotional ex-
ercises, and at noon the court always
adjourned for prayer.
DIR. Hill says that Bryan was re-
markable child in his tender years,
and could read and write before he
was six years old.
A BORN ORATOR.
His oratOrical powers were developed
at very early age. When but mere
boy, he was accustomed to stand up
before his playmates at school and on
the street and pour forth words of
eloquence. This wonderful gift
brought distinction to him in his
childhood, and when he had reached
his twelfth year his father took him to
great Democratic demonstration in
Centralia, Ills, and there the boy be-
gan his political career.
After hearing addresses from the
. most distinguished men in the State
the lad mounted the platform. He
had proceeded but short time when
the audience became spellbound un-
der the sway of the boy orators burn
ing eloquence.
Soon ripple OF applause greeted
the speaker; then the audience
catching up the enthusiasm of the
young hero, became tumultuous ant
he could scarcely proceed because o.
the deafening cheers which greeted
every sentence.
1t was great triumph for the boy
orator and he was surrounded by
those present and carried away on the
shoulders of strong men. The whole
country around CentFalia was eleetri
fed, and young Bryan was made one
of the chief attractions during the
campaign.
Young Bryan was instructed al
home until 10 years old. Then fol.
lowed five years in the public schools
two years in Whipple academy al
Jacksonville, Ills, and two years a,
the Jacksonville, ILL.,, college. He
graduated from the latter institution
in 1881 as orator and valedictorian oil
his class. Soon afterward he entered
the Union Law College at Chicago
from which he graduated in 1883.
He was connected with the law Of
fee of ex-United States Senator Ly.
man Trumbull for time, and later
opened an Office in Jacksonville, Ills.
but removed to Nebraska's capital in
1887 and began to gain prominence.
He was elected to Congress in the
first Nebraska district in 1890 ovel
w. ]. Cornell OF Omaha, and was re
elected in 1892 over Allen w. Field oil
Lincoln. In 1894 Mr.. Bryan declined
third nomination, and was nomi
mated by the Democratic State Con
vention for United States Senator by
the unanimous vote OF the conven
ton. The Republicans, however, had
q majority in the legislature, and
Bryan was defeated for the Senator
ship. Since Mr.. Bryan's Congress
term expired he has given his time
exclusively to spreading the doctrine
OF free silver.
He first appeared in the politica,
arena OF Nebraska III the campaign o.
1883, when he stumped the frat dis.
trict for J. Sterling Morton, nominee
for Congress. The same year he de-
clined nomination for Lieutenant
Governor. On July 30, 1880, he wal
nominated for Congress and wrote 8
platform on which he ran. Nobody
but himself thought he could be
elected. He stumped the district or
the tariff issue and won fame as 9
political orator throughout the State.
He was a remarkable compaign ora
tor. Being young man barely &c
years of age, and q resident of the
State but three years, and without
money to use in the contest, he over
turned plurality of 3.400 given hi.
opponent two years before and rolled
up plurality of 6,713 for himself.
In speaking of Bryan's power as ar
orator, an admirer once said:
bryan neglects none of the acces
series of oratory. Nature richly
lowered him with rare grace. He i.
happy in attitude and pose. His
gestures are on Hogarth's line o
beauty. Mellifluous is the word tina
most aptly describes his voice. 1t i
strong enough to be heard by thous
ands; it is sweet enough to charm
those least inclined to music. 1t il
30 mOdulated as not to yex the ca