Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-11
BRYAN AND BLAND.
Pen Pictures by Julian Hawthorne,
the Novelist.
lNeM NOrk JOurnlIl

CNew York Journal)
CHICAGO. August 9-The Sabbath has
redeemed the promise Of its morning both
as to heat and quietude. Doubtless the
former is in part responsible for the lat
ter. Moreover, political ardor could not In
the nature Of things continue long at the
torrld pitch it reached last night.
"You never see anything to equal it,
observed the young gentleman in shirt
sleeves who sold me a cigar at the Clifton,
and who is evidently as much interested
in politics as In tobacco. "They just run
wild shOutin and crowdin Ike you
couldn't rest. Mr.. Bryan. he's mighty
nice, pleasant gentleman, yes he IS. 1
heard him make that convention speech,
yes, sir Well, him and the silver qucs-
ton is two things, but 1 tell you II the
man he is had come 10 the country on q
gold platform he'd a swept her from
Maine to CalifOrny." 1t is unnecessary TO
remark that my friend is a McKinleyite.
Four star-spangled banners are festoon-
ed in the hall of the little hotel and "a
gorgeous velvet and satin gold-embroider-
ed banner of a Democratic club stands
beside the desk. 4 few country poliu-
clans and war veterans sit in draughty
corners Of the lobby, hopping their broWs
and talking silver. Upstairs In the hail
a cluster Of gentlemen sit I'm earnest con-
fabulation I'm the parlOr adjoining MT.
Bryan's room. That gentleman, having
been successful i'm his effort TO get 10 the
Presbyterian church this morning, receiY-
ed a few callers after lunch, his wife, a
pale. Intellectual, attractive woman, look
ing tired but very happy, standing beside
him.
Then the candidate and his wife shut
their door and took a nap. Meanwhile,
went across the street to the Palmer
House 10 see Mr.. Bland He is one OF the
most picturesque and interesting figures
OF the time-a sturdy, gray-bearded man
OF about IS, with a wel-marked aquillne
nose and keen, dark eyes. Simplicity
honesty, and bright, native intelligence
are the traits most salient in him az first
sight one feels an immediate affection
for him.
In all outward gulse ne IS precisely the
American farmer, but a farmer with a
spirit and brains rare in any man. When
entered the room he was camping out
on the floor, having turned up chair
and placed a pillow against the inclined
back. He wore a shirt with no collar.
and proceeded to put on black ALPACA
coat much too long for him. A more
genuine unaffected, unself-c0nscious man
II has never been my fortune to meet.
Mr.. Bland was pale from the exhaustion
OF the heat, and confessed to being under
the weather. He dreaded the fatigue Of
a night journey TO Pittsburg, and his
physician has severely cautioned him as
10 the consequences. one would Ike 20
spend q month with this gentleman on his
farm. The experience would be certain
TO deepen ones faith I'm human nature.
as well as 20 enlighten ones cOmpre-
hension of current political questions
Mr.. Bryan made an agreeable impress
sion on me when l saw him for the first
time this morning. He is a man of 5 feet
10 inches, of a figure not athletic, but
naturally solid and strong. His face
as innumerabe portraits have already in
formed me-is clean shaver. the lips thin;
but there is a curve I'm their line of juno
ton, and a sort of dimple-if one may
use such a word in describing the features
Of a prospective Presidential the corners,
which l have frequently observed in men
distinguished for eioquence.
Gladstone and John Bright have II, and
so have Choate Bishop Potter, Bourke
Cochran and our own Chauncey. Mr..
Bryan has also something which not all
the above-named orators pOssess-large.
dark, kindling eyes, which show the
coming smile before II gets lower down,
and dispose the interlocutor TO smile re-
spOnslvely.
His manner in greeting a stranger IS
very quiet and courteous. He appears az
once serious and genial. and has a dignity
which Is not manufactured. but innate.
There is no pose about him. When. IN
his speeches. he ascribes the enthusiasm
of his hearers to his cause rather tkan
to himself, he speaks sincerely. and, 10
say the truth. IL may be the power be-
hind this young man, rather than force I'm
himself. which will enable him 20 carry
the coming election. The power OF the
people IS unknoWa and incalculable. and
the best leader of the people must be
a man, who, like Bryan, can adequately
absorb their passion and purpose. ard
express ana execute the same
/ doubt not that Bryan is a greater man
to-day, thanks 10 his faculty OF receiving
the contagion OF a nations WILL than
he was before he addressed the Chicago
He is a man who WIZ be
developed by his position and cppor-
tunlties. and H. as there Is no reason TO
doubt, his judgment be sound and his
rectitude valid. We may look 10 see him
become a worthy head OF the American
people.
| lay stress upon this sympathetic
Quality In Bryan. because IL seems TO me
not the least valuable element In the