New-York tribune., 1896-09-28

THE SPEECHES OF TWO CA\DID1fES'
Whoever stops moment 10 consider the cam
paign conditions existing little more IMAM
two months ago. and TO set them on against
those which AT present characterize the sltua-
tion. will find himself somewhat astonshed at
the change which has taken place.
II is not 10 be denied that after Mckinney
nomination NJ -. Louis a great many judicouS
and clear sighted Republicans, who had learned
from the experience of many campaigns Wha'
risks a candidate ncurs who appears often III
public permits himself 10 he interviewed ana
questioned and put on view. and in short. makes
himself common and approachable. had grave
doubts about the poicy-or lack of policy. as II
seemed to them-of their candidates welcoming
everybody into his dooryard and talking TO all
from his piaZza as freely and unconsirainedly
as he would TO a gathering of personal friends,
keeping nothing back nor making any effort III
what he SAID TO be impressive or eloquent. or
produce Oratorical or dramatic effects. These
experienced politicians had seen some Of the
ablest statesmen some of the most popular ora
tors. who were famous for their versatility.
their readiness and all the qualities which con
stitute effectiveness Of address. undertake the
same role and fail They read every day al
most with a shiver that Major Mckinley was
receiving all comers on his lawn and making
responses-not merely brief and formal. hut ex-
tended and hearty-to their complimentary
greetings and congratuatory addresses. Some
of them in their solciiude wrote Chairman
Hanna begging him to use his Influence with
Mckinley TO induce him 10 put a sign on his
lawn Keep of the Grass" and cease taking
the chances of saying the same thing over and
over or of making some statement whch Wouid
require explanation or excuse.
Well. Major Mckinley has not taken counsel
of anybody's fears. but has gone right on now
for almost three months. meeting with the same
good nature and cordality the same impressive
dignity and the same homeliness and genuine
ness of speech all who came He has talked 10
them with the frankness Of sincerity and the
earnestness of true patriotism. day after day
and many times a day. and to the wonder and
admiration Of the experienced politicians who
were so anxious about him az the outset he has
not repeated himself nor said anything that
called for explanation or excuse; in short. has
never stopped over" On Saturday. for IN
stance he made eleven speeches TO visiting dele
cations, none of them gaudy with rhetoric or
dramatic in delivery but each specially appro-
pirate to the delegation addressed and delight
to his audience. The politicians ceased long ago
to he nervous about him or worry over the pos
sibilitv of his making blundcrs He has grown
in public estimation from the moment OF his
nomination. And Of very few candidates for
public Office has II been possible for this 10 be
said.
on the other hand. II is no more TO be denied
that when Mr. BRYAN. after securing his nolnina-
ton by what was considered burst Of cO-
quence proclaimed his purpose 10 invade what
| Ee called 1.-The enemy's country" and try the
| effect OF the same OratoriCal gifts upon the
| voters Of the Middle and Eastern States. great
many timid Republicans were fearful that the
| same catching qualities the tricks of oratory
| the winning smile. the attractive manner and
| agreeable voice, would have the same effect
upon the mass of voters which was sure to flock
| to see him out Of mere curiosity that they had
| upon the Chicago Convention. and carry the
| voters off their feet That Republicans felt
| nervous and anxious about the effect Of This
| Boy Orators clOquence cannot be denied But
| their nervousness and anxiety began 10 lessen
with his first traln-end efforts after he started
| on his Eastward trip, and disappeared entirely
when he finished at Madison Square Garden
what he had announced would be the greatest
effort of his life. There was no fear after thai
OF the effect upon any audience of the Boy Ora
tors eOquence. 1t was evident that he haC
struck twelve the first time at Chicago. and i'm
mediately thereafter began rapidly 10 run down
On Saturday he was making speeches. or. rather
repeating the same old speech in Maine. In
State where he has no chaLce whatever an(
knows he has none. and every repetition was
njurng him wherever read by intelligent voters
In other States. On the same day Major Nc
Kney, remaining at home, made clever
speeches. each different from the other an'
from all his previous ones, TO voters from h'
own and adjacent States, whom he had no
sought but who had sought him, TO assure hin
of their enthusiastic support
The change produced by the speeches of th'
two candidates has been most remarkable /
is doubtful whether Bryan's speeches have no
done rs much to effect his own defeat as Me
Knley's speeches have to make Republican
| victory certain