Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-11
The Man Who win Lead the Bedlamitss.

The Man VINO Will Lead the BedIamltes.
"Why not Bryan while they are
about it?" was our remark, Thursday,
upon hearing how the flowing speech,
| founded periods and silvery eloquence
| of 1.-THE boy orator of the Platte was
received by the convention. We have
| not changed our opinion. AS events
have proved he is a far more logical
been before the country long enough
| to demonstrate his mediocrity. His
persistent consistency in advocating
/ free silver was all that made him con-
spicuous. Though not noted in other
| respects. he was an experienced legis-
lator, honest in his purposes and con-
sentative save on the subject of free
! coinage. What did that convention,
| gone wild, fired with the red riot of
Altgeldism, rushing headlong upon I'M
tried adventure; what did that con-
vention want of a candidate identified
with any of the previous acts of the
party, a man who would in any way
. be a representative of the Democratic
party as it was before it degenerated
into a mob? Nothing.
On the contrary their candidate must
not only be devoted to the cause of
| free silver but he must subscribe to the
! other revolutionary ideas that swayed
them. No man of experience and with
a national record was eligible. William
Jennings Bryan of Nebraska, filled the
bill. He was born Sc years ago last
March, being the youngest candidate
| for the Presidency that ever
sought the confidence of the people
of this country for the highest posi-
! ton within their gift, a position re-
quiring matured judgement,ripenede x-
perience and the conservatism in which
there is safety. Mr.. Bryan was born in
| Marion county, Illinois. at Is he left
| the common schools for the academy,
1 and two years later entered Illinois
| college, Jacksonville. After graduating
| in 1881 he attended the Union college of
law at Chicago. He practiced for
time at Jacksonville, but in 1887 became
a member of the law firm of Talbot &
Bryan at Lincoln, Neb. He never held
an elective Office until the wheel of
fortune brought about a coalition of
Populistic and Democratic ideas. He
was elected to the SD Congress and
again to the SD. Then came the SUBJ
While in Congress the only. distinction
he won was for his Populistic, fanatical
ideas and his eloquence, or what in the
homely but pertinent phrase of the
Yankee is known as gift Of CAB. He is
what would be termed "a bright frey,
| flighty fellow" dashing in manner and
on the political platform a populistic
spellbinder. He will undoubtedly capti-
vate the audience made up Of those al
ready innoculated with fiat virus, who
will frantically applaud his favorite al,
lusions to gold bugs and bloated NOM
opolists, but we are confident that he
will be wholly incapable of>convncing
the sober thinking voter and the eff
feet of his speeches will disappear with
his presence. The free trade of his
platform will repel silver Republicans
the free silver and populism will repel
Democrats. Without the endorsement
of the Populists, we believe he will cut
a sorry figure. With their endorse
ment the East and Northeast are as
sured to the Republicans with little eff
fort. Missouri, Kentucky and Ten
neessee are hopeful ground. Maryland
will go Republican, Illinois will cry
halt to Altgeldism and Indiana will fall
into line.
4 There is left Of the Democracy Of the
past four-years its record the free trade
ideas and capacity for laundering. To
be exact. the fiatism and reputation
ideas of &c have not been dead only
sleeping. but when the slogan becomes
\ free coinage. free trade and anarchy it
is not, surprising that Jefferson, Jack
sonian Democracy that has borne much
\ in the name of party stands appalled,.
But such exOtics as the boy orator OF
the Platte are of the variety cut down
by early frosts, not to mention those of
J, November.
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