Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-31
BRYAN AN EVANGELIST
Secretary Lawrence Gardner Sees His Candi-
date in New Light.
He Also Declares That Democratic
Enthusiasm is Spreading-Never So
Many Clubs Forming as Now.

Mr.. Lawrence Gardner, the secretary OF
the democratic congressional committee
ana of the National Association of Demo
cratic Clubs, conversed with Star reporter
about the political situation this morning.
He was asked what truth there was in the
assertion that the silver enthusiasm was
dying out in the west. None whatever
ne responded promptly. THE masses in the
west are profoundly convinced of the wis
dom of bimetallic policy for the country.
and they will be found expressing that con-
viction in November. 1t has always been
the republican policy to claim everything in
sight and to prosecute their campaigns with
bluff and braggadocio but the sentiment
OF the people this time is too deeply rooted
10 De disturbed by glamor and brass-Dand
tactics.
THE sentiment is increasing and extend
ing al. over the country wherever men till
the soil or work with their hands. There
IS IN every heart among the great COM
mon People as Llncoln called them, a
warm pulse OF patriotism, ard they see the
inconsistency OF the republican cry of pro.
tecIoh 10 our industries from foreign COM
petition while they as loudly cry that we
must have financial policy dictated by
1orelgn powers.
"orking":en and the Fifty-Cent
Dollar.
In my visit to Pennsylvania 1 found out
that the workinsmen were perfectly ia
miliar with the sophistry of the talk about
a oo-cent dollar continued Mr. Gardner.
1hey know that such 4 claim is the veri-
est sort of twaddle and it will be gratify-
ing to me If the republicans keep up this
KIND OF mSrepre senta;ion, for it is
strengthening The democratic cause every
day.
The wholesale charges of Ignorance
nf n
ard independent of foreign nations are as
sailed with is also having good effect for
our side In this fight" he continued .It
Genes home in the nature of a direct in
suit TO an American citizen of humble sur
roundings to call him a fool and to confine
ali the Intelligence Of the country to the
rich and powerful.
The spread of democratic enthusiasm is
shown in the activity democrats are every
where displaying In campaign work." he
went on. Il have been secretary of the
National Association of Democratic Clubs
ever since its formation and never before
mas there been such a deluge of applica-
tons for charters as that now in progress
The demands come from the east and
north. as well as the west and south, and
nearly every applica ton is accompanied by
the Information that former republicans are
among the members of the organizations.
Bryan as an Evangelist.
"The reception accorded Mr. Bryan
" AeicNSI le Ids dppedTcu, Sdiu MT. GdT1-
ner in conclusion, Shows how deep hold
the principles he is advocating, and espe-
ciaily the money question, has on the
minds of the people. The republicans
affect to pooh-pooh this condition and to
attribute the Bryan crowds to mere Curl
osity. If they would think for moment
they would remember that a curious per-
son is the most impressionable of all. The
history of evangelism in religion shows
that the curious were attracted by the
evangelistS only to become converts; that
they went to scott, if you please, and -e-
manned to pray
ASK Moody IL this is rot the case. He
will tell you that thousands upon thou
sands of those who came to his meetings
II erely out of curiosity were turred into
Christian paths by his influence. And that
is the way with Bryan. He is an evangelist
In the truest sense CT the word. The 'n.era-
ly curious as orr republican friends love
to call the Bryan throrgs, see man in
spired with the truth and justice of the
cause he is advocating; they hear him ex-
pain away their doubts and make clear
their perplexities. and they go away in
~spired themselves. l do not think a cor
ruItion fund ten times as large as Mr.
Hanna can command can overcome the in
tention of the American people to bring
about change in the present financial sys-
tenn of the United States"