The herald., 1896-09-01
MIR. BRYAN'S DISCRETION

In nothing has Mr.. Bryan shown more
clearly his understanding of the situa-
ton than in his plan of campaign. A
smaller or vainer man would have ad-
dressed audiences in the west and south,
! where the people were overwhelmingly
in full sympathy with him, or would.
like Mr.. Mckinley, have remained at his
home to receive the adulation of his ard
ent admirers. But Mr.. Bryan had not
only the courage of his convictions, but
the keen appreciation of the only pOssi-
sible obstacle to the triumph of the prin-
ciples advocated by him. He recognized
that he already had the full sympathy Of
the toiling masses, who for years suf-
fered the privations inseparable from
the falling prices of their products and
labor. 1t was not necessary to preach to
them the gospel of deliverance. He had
only to fear the conservative instincts,
the prejudice which was being appealed
to by those who rallied at the Chicago
platform as bundle of anarchistic dec
larations calculated to turn topsy-
turvy the business interests of the coun-
try. Nothing could more effectually re-
assure the timid or doubling than to
llCdI Gil SApOSlllOll Ol lue pIlHClplcS VI
that platform from its foremost cham
pion and representative. He therefore
announced shortly after his nomination
that he would go into the heart of the
enemy's country and make that his battle
ground. The results have fully justified
his foresight. Before he left home for
his present tour there was a feeling of
uneasiness and alarm. especially
throughout the east which was excited
and cultivated by the gold standard
press. 1t was constantly asserted that
the mere prospect of Mr.. Bryan's sue
cess would be sufficient to bring the
country to the brink of ruin. Prices of
securities under such influences fell be-
fore the assaults of the bears, who
shrewdly took advantage of the situa-
ton. The gold reserve of the treasury
was being almost daily depleted. and
men in all classes of business were ask
ing where this was to end.
Mr.. Bryan commenced his tour From
Lincoln to New York he hourly addressed
the thousands who thronged to hear
him. He delivered at Madison Square
garden that mastery speech of accept
ance, which will always rank as classic
in the literature of American politics.
He then commenced his triumphal pro-
gress through the state of Hill, Whitney,
Flower and Cochran, and the ever in
| creasing size and enthusiasm of his au-
diences have demonstrated that they
| have no authority to speak for the peo-
| pie whom they claim to represent. He
| has shown his hearers that he advocates
| only the principles of pure Democracy.
| Equal right to all, special privileges to
| none" and has eloquently refuted the
baseless charge that he and his adher-
ents meditated an assault upon the
rights of property, or the security of the
individual. The result is history. Prices
of securities have advanced, rates of in
terest have declined, Withdrawals of
gold from the treasury have ceased, and
almost every day brings the news of
fresh shipments of gold from abroad.
OF course this does not suit the Nc
Kinley organs. Their simulated grief
over the financial distress which they so
confidently expected has turned into
| chagrin and rage at their failure to in
| fuence the shrewd business men whose
| fears they had endeavored to arouse.
| This, however, will not affect the current
of affairs. The cloud of apprehension
has been dissipated, and their frantic
| appeals and auguries of ill-omen will
| make no impression upon the calm and
| deliberate Judgment of the people.