The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-08-21
An Estimate OF His Character and
Qualifications.

Qualifications.
Al the request OF me New York World,
Edward Rossxater, editor OF the Omaha
Bee. has written a candid estimate OF W.
j. Brysns ability, character and eonvlc-
tons on other political questions as well
as silver. he says: Within the short
space Of one week William Jennings Bry an
has emerged from comparative oescurity
TO find himself the subject OF national
solicitude and International discussion and
speculation With his name on every
tongue, his portrait In All the papers. and
his movements and uttsrancss given with
nnnuteness to the country by Associated
Press dispatches and special correspond
ents. Bryan has suddenly loomed into the
horizon as one OF the two foremost figures
in the great national drama that is about
70 be played on Americas political stage
The story Of his early life, his academic
training. apprenticeship as a lawyer, his
forensic triumphs in the schoolhouse and
on the political rostrum. his career in con-
Kress and intrusion into the arena OF jour
nalism have furnished material for the
people. who absorb with avidily all that
is said and written concerning the man
who captiyated g great national conven-
ton with his eloquence and carried away
the laurel crown for which the greatest
OF us party's leaders had been striving.
With all that has already been published
concerning Bryan's physical and mental
makeup, his habits and his associations.
the popular conception OF the man Is
vague. and the World is therefore well JUS
tilted in asking me to supply some data
for true estimate of his ability, charac-
ter and capacity for filing the high office
TO which he now aspires. Without pre-
tending to have an intimate asquain tancs
with Mr.. Bryan, my opportunities for
gauging the man have been ample. Meas
ured by the standard Of men truly great,
william Jennings Bryan viii scarcely take
rank with eminent political leaders OF the
Democratic school such as were Stephen
a Douglas. John c. Breckinridge, Horatio
Seymour. Allen G. Thurman. Thomas A.
Hendricks, Samuel J. Tflden, Thomas Il.
Bayard or David B. Hill While gifted
with oratorical powers OF a high order,
bryan lacks both depth ana breadth. He
is popularizer OF other mems IDEAS
rather than an original thinker. and has
a catchy way OF presenting his subjects
to an audience. He is a consummats
actor, whose forte lies in appeals to senti-
ment and emotion rather than in argu-
ments and sound reasoning. He is a born
agitator, who never hesitates to employ
the weapons of the demagogue to make a
point. Bryan's most vulnerable part is his
lack or moral stamina ana utter iudiffsr-
ence to the maintenance of public integ-
rity. While so far as know his private
a~te4 - ne mas never
raised his voice or used his pen In denun-
citation OF fragrant abuses of public office
or betrayal OF public trust, but, on the
contrary, has permitted the paper OF which
be Is ostenslbly the responsible editor 10
gloss over and defend entertainments I'm
public Office, gross official negligence and
corrupt collision with public plunderers,
even whsre the offenders were foisted INTO
Office as Republicans. From the profes-
sional standpoint Mr.. Bryan may be con-
sidered dismal failure. His legal prae-
uce has never amounted to anything
worth mentioning. His venture In tha
newspaper business has not been regarded
as serious in these parts While ne has
been nominal editor OF the Omaha World
Herald since September !, 1894 he has in
reality been mere journalistic figurehead.
His name has been paraded at the head OF
the weekly edition TO draw free silver de-
lusionlsts. but was soon taken out of the
daiiv and has not been replaced Instead
or devoting his time to the paper he has
been travelling about the country five
weeks out OF six as the paid champion OF
the Bi-Metallic League. AS politician
BRYAN has displayed no organizing ability.
He is good stump speaker and an effect
I've campaigner. but tha, IS all. If he has
any executive capacity IL has not vet man.
Tested itself. He has never held any ex-
ecutive position and has never had an op-
portunity to exercise any faculty ne may
possibly possess IN that direction. The
best business men OF Omaha, regardless
OF party. look upJn him as man of i'm
mature judgment who would constitute
an extra hazardous risk as head OF the
national government.