New-York tribune., 1896-10-05
THE OIESTION OE FITNENN.

Probably there never has been another Prcsi-
dcntial campaign in which either Of ihe princi-
pal candidates sought so plainly as MI bfyah
does TO capture by OratOry. and to divert atteii-
tion from every question as to his personal nj
ness 1t is no part of a Presidents duty to make
eloquent speeches. He has no place in either
branch OF Congress. and can hardly endeavor
to rouse popular feeling against either iegis-
lative branch as Andrew Johnson did. without
taking an attitude of hostility toward those
charged by the people with the duty OF law
making besides dctracting from the dignify of
his Office Moreover. the OratOrical tempera-
ment which works with and appenls TO the
emOl Onal nature rather than the clear intellect
nnd cool Judgment. Is distinctly recognized hs
moi the hest for the Chief Executive, who's"
lightes words NAV affect the peace or welrare
of n nation whose acts ought 10 he regnlatrd
by careful corsidera ion Of consequences. ana
who needs above all things 10 be sure that NJ
will not overheai his mind with his own Ell
thusiasm and passion.
The people of this country have been DONG
much thinking on his subject Of LATE. When
Mr. BRYAN irlcd 10 play the philosophical states
man. il was seen at once that he was acting
a part and was not showing his real self. since
he has been talking with freedom. people hav"
been asking themselves whether hr shows Any
thing of the character which II position "i III"
highest responsibility requires. Not much need
be said on the question of dignity. perhaps
though It Is not precisely in accord with Ameri-
can conceptions of high judicial or executive re-
sponsiblli;y 10 b. shouting colloInial greetings
from the ,ail-end Of railroad train. rt>illlg
about tlle country to shake hands with every
body. aud scattering his own badges ana hhi
ionS among the small boys ~ railroad stations
The people are asking. however. whether >n'Ii
performances are consistent with the solid aud
well balanced character which j. needed III ih'
discharge Of Presidential duties
The truth is that Mr.. Bryan not only fails Ia
do anything or TO say anything which gives ID
dication Of such u character. but his whol" h'
hnvior goes TO prove that hr does not possess
H. Occasional remarks. such ~ the one about
Wall Street Spectators "slobbering over the
President of the United States or III" one aloii'
college students spending the i'll gotten gains al
their parents would pass a. unfortunate slips
II uttered by men of n different stamp. hui M
fortunately III 10 n hairs breadth the Kind "i
man which Mr. Rryan's railroad voircha>ng
and his emotional speeches and appeals Indicate
thai II, is There is not high self restraint. but
unusual want Of selfresiralnt: not high re-
spect for an office representing Io.W@.W" free
men aud largely responsible for their welfare
but Nh exceptional want ~ respect: not more
than ordinary prudence and caution III welgh
ing thr results Of speech or net. h''' more 'iiai
usual impulsivrnr>s and rrckle">n"sS about
consequences In fact. Mr.. Bryan> exhibition
OF himself has been such that without any
other evidence. il should con, he" the people ol
his positive and exceptional uniiinrs> for an!
post Of high responsibility.
His ylbnpss In oraiory moreover beirays hin
into many statements which show that he hi'
never thoroughly studied the Constitution Ol
| the laws Of The country. or the gravesl public
uuesiions bul has been content with super
ncjal knowledge and willing 10 venture bol'
assertions in the absence Of knowledge. such
for instance was his assertion that railwa!
charges had no, been reduced in proportion IL
urj,rs Of products such lapses sci people Il
| inuulre what knowledge Of public business nj
official duties Mr. Bryan has ever shown. wha
| conception Of the functions Of The Executive
what understanding Of any Of the great qurs
| tIons Oh which the welfare Of the country de
rends. He talks freely about silver. bur il for
ever repealing tricky misrepresentation. which
1 III
he either has only superficial knowledge %
The subject or else Is radically dishonest.
was quite the same way with the inrin lu"s
| Hon. about which he used 10 talk with the sain
apparent incapaciy 10 get below III" mere scum
| and froih Of discussion. II Is but The naked
| truth tia, Mr.. Bryan has no, yet given evid"nr
| that he possrssrs even on any one subject. ,'irl
| knowledge or such habits of careful study II
| would make him competent for high resl'on|
| bllity Hc j. simply Il boy Orator trying Il
| make the people imagine that orai"ry l. III
only thing II President needs more imporihii
than character. experience. prudence III SI'err
and action. knowledge OF public affairs iraine
power Of investigation. or the rare quality While
| never suffers the enthusiasm or The emotional
| nature to drown the Judgment.
UONSIGNOR uARTINELLI