The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1896-07-16

expression when he faced the audi
ence was beautiful His skin was
pure white, with just enough blood In
bis cheeks to show perfect health
lie made a speech Of about thirty
minutes; and before he concluded he
had established himself in the hearts
OF the Democrats Of Lancaster county.
The speech was on the subject OF tariff
reform and he demonstrated that he
was master Of the subject | never
listened TO more mastery presenta-
ton os that much discussed question.
Ii astonishcd everyone who heard him.
There he stood, a boy in appearance
but Titan In intellect From that
hour be was the leader OF the Democ-
tacy Of Lancaster County. he was
elected a delegate TO Che Omaha cou-
veution and was there called on for a
speech and again electrified the assem-
bled Democracy OF the state; and a
man who an hour before was unknown
outside Of the confines OF Lancaster
county, became the leader Of the re-
form element ia Nebraska Democracy.
Yes, heard the speech was in
the convention as a spectator and
heard every word Of it IL was reg.
ular whirlwind OF eloquenee, logic
and oratory The Omaha daily papers
took up the speech and published il
over the state. and from the nomina-
tion OF Mr. Cleveland, ia ST. Louis,
until the day Of election, his time was
fully occupied in speaking for Democ-
racy and The people. AT the close Of
the campaign, although Nebraska
went Republican, his reputation as
an orator ard champion OF the people
was established In 1890 he was nomi-
mated for congress by the Democrats
OF the frst district composed OF the
counties q Douglas, Lancaster, Saun-
ders, Sarpy, Cass otoe and which had
given Republican majority two years
before of 5000.
He made the race against Connell,
OF Omaha, who was then the represen-
tative in congress from that district
aud when the votes were counted
Bryan, the boy candidate, as he was
called, had overcome the 5000 major
ity Of two years previous and had a
clear majority Of 600, and this was
not a rural district either, the FIVE
counties composing it are all river
counties in which are located Omaha,
Lincoln, Nebraska City and Plats-
mouth, the four largest cities in the
state. His first speech in congress as
all will remember brought him to the
front IS a potent element in national
politics. His stand against the money
sharks, railroad eXtortion, national
banks, monopolists generally, and his
stand for silver brought down on him
the wrath of the gold bug element in
the Democratic party in his district
and when they failed to defeat him foi
a denomination in 1892 they threw
Their energy into beating him at thG
polls. They first got the Republican,
to nominate Allen W. Field at LincolI
millionaire aud one o. the most pop.
ular men the Republican party Of th'
district. They tried TO get the Popu
list party to nominate candidate bu
inst purity said Bryan is good euougl
for us; however they got renegad,
by the name of r W. Maxwell to com
ont as an independent Populist caudi
date but hc only received sos votes AM
never was heard OF after They ais
procured a man by the name OF Jefom
Shamp 90 run as an independent wh0
received 3. .4o9 votes. But the BATH
was between Bryan and Field An
never was such a campaign fought j
a congressional district Bryan wa
alone and penniless, with ia
monied men Of hls own part
4 bitterly lighting him, with no can
, paign fund TO draw on with nothin
/ to help him but righteousness of IA
cause, his magnetic presence and IA
brilliant oratory. While his opp,
, uthNf a AAAAAphtiAN AAtAoNAAf WIN va
rels Of money at his command. IN
district was absolutely flooded wit
money. Even Maxwell and Sham
were furniAhed money by the Repaid
can campaign committee to defray the
expenses, yet, when the votes wer
counted to the surprise Of all the bo
candidate was triumphantly elected
defeating the allied forces Of boodl
corruption aud treachery. His care'
In congress is familiar to all. "
know what brilliant fight he mad
for free silver. for which he incurrC
the displeasure Of Cleveland aud b
p euckoos.
He as not practicing law now.
. 1894 he refused 10 be candida
y again for congress but by fusion
! the free silver democrats headC
\ by himself with the Peoples party I
q succeeded in electing Mr.. Holcomb
populist governor Of Nebraska al
after his term expired, March 1895
y was engaged as Editor-in-Chief Of II
&c World-Herald the great free silv
u paper Of the west which position J
C still holds.
'o Yes, ! consider him today one
u the greatest OF American orator
D. lie has the four eliments that a