The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-12

the way in which he Is conducting his
campaign. 1t may be that his circus
experience in Omaha Is what caused
him to request that the ceremony Of
notification be held in Madison Square
Garden, New York, instead OF at his
home in this city.
Mr.. Bryan is honest, and his friends
admire him for that and for his great
gifts, but they have been surprised at
the light manner with which he Is play
ing with what seems, in his hands. a
mere bauble, a nomination for the
presidency of the United States. His
picturesque trip from Salem to Lincoln
his repeated speeches and continued
publicity In advance of the official noti-
ficatiOn of the nomination, his boyish
and ill-considered phrases, all mark him
as an excited youth rather than an
earnest man in training for the highest
office in the gift of great nation There
are other little things. not important
in themselves. that detract from the
dignity and pOiSe which should distin-
guish a man in Mr.. Bryan's position.
He Is feverish in his haste. He is nerv-
GUS and eXcita bic. He is unable to stay
In one place any length of time or con-
tinue at one task. He wants to be up
and going to and fro. He wants to have
a hand in all that is doing. When he
came home he was first man to appear
on the platform of the car, and on the
way from Salem to Lincoln he was gen.
orally out on the platform, hat in hand,
and ready to speak at the little towns
before the wheels had stopped turning.
The next day after his arrival In this
city he divested himself of his coat and
vest and spent most of the time, in his
negligee attire, in front of his house or
around the neighborhoOd. When Wis
itors arrive from out of the city, instead
of receiving them quietly at bis resi-
lpnca 10 p1n n l. n trin
town, carrying his wife with him, and
holds a reception in hotel.
All of these things are, perhaps, in
significant, and in no way affect the
purity of his character, but Mr.. Bryan's
bearing is not what we have learned to
expect in the presidential candidates of
great parties. The people here like Mr..
Bryan, but he fails to command serious
respect. Observing the traits which
have been markedly prominent since he
was made the nominee in Chicago. one
seems to be forced to the conclusion
that his PERSONAL qualities. admirable
though they may be, are not such as to
specially fit him for the discharge of the
duties of chief executive Of a nation of
TO- ,000, 900 of people. Youth Is a fine
thing, and it is good that youth has so
large a share in the government of this
country. But in this nation, where po-
sitions Of Importance are given to
young men, it IS expected that they will
exhibit a sobriety Of thought and con-
duct. The late William e. Russell was
a young man, a very young man when
he was first elected governor of Massa-
chusetts, but he was always looked
upon as safe man. The public had
confidence in his Judgment. There was
no fear of rash steps. Mr.. Bryan in his
private life is just as exemplary as was
Mr. Russell. Ede has never. been ac-
cused of a dishonest act. No taipt or
stain of reproach has ever attached to
his reputation as man. But in tenn
permanent the boy orator is exactly the
opposite Of the boy governor. He is
lacking in those qualities that made
Russell leader in the Democratic par
ty while he was boy in years. Rus
sell was brave and daring and he had
enthusiasm, but he was not spasmoulc
or fdgety He had self-poise. dignity
and a certain amount of mental and
physical reserve. He won his laurels
by the possession of many qualities of
strength. Mr.. Bryan was nominated
for president as the result of few
minutes of impassioned and reckless
eloquenee. Nebraskah