New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-08
THE NEBRASKA NONGOOSE.

1t is not improbable that many OF the tolllng
masses who during the last few weeks have en-
joyed the felicity Of listening to the sivery CUR
gle of the Boy Orator IS he meandered through
the country scattering eloquence and peddling
soap may have been momontarily confused by
the glibness of his speech or ratified by the cor
dality Of his handshake and the destinations OF
his smile. Maybe when he dwelt with JUNCTION
that was almost fearful upon the indications
which he saw all around him that some men
whom he called the Glasses were living III
comfort and even luxury without being Obliged
to labor with their hands, while others whom
he called the masses were dependent for daily
subsistence upon their tOil-it may be that some
of them. lste ling to such appeals to their preJt-
dices and their ignorance. did think for time
that they were actually the victims of some sort
of oppression and tyranny which they did not
quite understand. but ought at all hazards to
be thrown off And quite likely TOO, many OF
these wage earners were impressed with the no
ton that this political phenomenon. the Boy
Orator. if he were President of the United
States, could and would, out Of hand. by some
sort of fiat or incarnation. put down the OPP
pressor and set up the oppressed, put an end 10
all the wrongs and outrages perpetrated by the
Glasses upon the masses and presently make
all the tOilers prosperous and happy.
But unless the Boy Orator has convinced n
majority of the toilers of two things. first.
that they are actually the victims of a universal
conspiracy by the prosperous nj whose hands
they are suffering all manner of wrongs, I'm
positions and ontrages; and, second, that the
Boy Orator if elected. will put an end to all
these troubles and distresses, his pilgrimage has
been in vain. His converts have to be convinced.
in the first place. that the wrongs are actual
which the Boy Orator says they are suffering.
and then that the Boy Orator can cure them.
And they will have To stay convinced until Eec-
ton Day in November The chances are ten TO
one that this will not happen. Between this
time and Election Day most Of the tOlers with
whom the Boy Orator has been foolng will
have had time and opportunity to ask questions
and gather Information upon these two points:
Are the grievances real? Can the Boy remedy
them? Then Mr.. William Jennings Bryan will
cease to be recognized as the Boy Orator of the
Platte, and will pass into history as the political
mOngOose of Nebraska For the habits Of the
mongoose are peculiar 1t is related that upon
one occasion traveller who carrying a
cage containing quecr-looking animal was
asked by a person of an nquiring mind what
sort OF an animal 1t was. IT'S a mongoose,
was the answer. "And what, pray. is a mon
GOOSE why mOngoose is an animal that
"cais up all the snakes and things that a fellow
"secs when he has the delirum trcmens.' OH
said the inquirer, in dazed way. that's it,
eh: Then, after n moments reflection: But
those are not real snakes" ITO be sure not.
calmly answered the traveller. neither is this
q real mongOose.'
The Boy Orator may be able to intOxicate the
senses Of dull-wl,ted persons with oratorlcal de-
irium. in which they seem to see snakes and
other horrors and they may believe for the mo-
ment that he Is the monGOOse to eat up the
snakes and bring relief But they will not be
long finding ont not only that they are not real
snakes, but that he is not a real mongoose.