The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-16

Some of the Republicans sought to
take advantage of his inexperience by
interrupting him with questions that
might have puzzled much older heads.
But Mr.. Bryan frightened under this
friction and forced one Republican after
another into his seat, all of them find
ing the young Nebraskan more than
their match. He argued his case with
dramatic directness that aroused not
only the enthusiasm of the Democrats,
but won the applause of the galleries.
First Recognition In Congress.
The first cheers the young man won
from his fellow congressman were clio
tied by a characteristic piece of wit.
''There was once a time in the his
tory of Nebraska" he said, when
there was a sheep there for every per
son in the state. But now, if every wo-
man in Nebraska named Mary wanted
a pet lamb, she would have to go out of
the state to get it. -
The pePOratiOn of that speech is worth
quoting, for it shows tersely the stand
Mr.. Bryan has taken on the tariff ques-
ton all through his public career. 1t is
as follows:
1.-THE country has nothing to fear
from the Democratic policy upon the
tariff question. 1t means a more equal
distribution Of the great advantages of
this country. It means that the men
who produce the wealth shall retain a
larger share of it.
ut is for this reason that young men
of this country are coming to the Dem
Ocratic party It is because we are
right, and right will triumph. The day
will come, and that soon, l trust, when
wiser economic policies will prevail
than those to which the Republican
party is welded; when the laws in this
country will be made for all and not for
a few; when those who annually con-
gregate about this capital, seeking to
use the taxing power for purposes of
private gain, Will have lost their Occu-
patton; when the burdens of govern
ment will be equally distributed and it's
blessings likewise.
Hail that day! When it comes. to
use tie language of another, Democracy
will be king Long live the kingl -
At the end Of that speech the mem
bers of the house 10 longer questioned
the ability of the young man just come
among them. Natures that had been
prone to discount the youthful inter
loper from Nebraska recovered from
their error with no further delay.
No one sneered at Bryan after that,
and there were few who dared to risk
the discomfort of tackling the 1.-THE
westerner who was so quick and nimble
on his mental feet.
All through that congress-the Fifty
second-Bryan was one of the most
prominent figures in the house, although
he was its youngest member. He de-
voted linitIess time to tariff reform,
and when he went back to Nebraska it
was with the knowledge that he had
fought a good fight.
He entered the next congress to fight
a new battle. He had joined the forces
of Mr.. Bland free silver warfare and
became the first lieutenant of the Mis-
souri, veteran. In the previous congress
Mr.. Bland's right hand man had been
Mr.. Pierce of Tennessee, but he failed
of reelection. Pierce was not a great
orator. but was an effective speaker and
a sl1iIlful and adroit parliamentary gen
eral. What Bryan lacked in the latter
resTect he fully made up by his bril-
Lancy as a speaker, and in the silver
debates of that congress he laid the
foundations for his political future.
He had sided with Mr.. Bland in the
previous congress, but it was not until