The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-08-01
Bryan as RingmaSter.

ago some society people in Omaha gave an
amateur circus performance in the Coliseum
in that city. Mr.. Bryan was asked to take
the part of ringmaster and he consented.
For two nights he appeared before the
wealth and beauty of Omaha in the traditional
top boots and high hat of the master of the
ring, and he cracked his whip in a way that
made teamsters on the back seats salute him.
He was an excellent ringmaster.
Besides standing on platform and crack
ing his whip he made jokes, and he cracked
his jokes with the same facility that he
cracked his whip. People said Mr.. Bryan
alone was worth the price of admission. He
was happy then and all smiles, and when the
people applauded his sallies he was almost as
pleased as he is now when the crowd cheers
him.
He entered into the circus project in the
same headlong manner that he has started in
! the race for the Presidency. He cared moth
ing for dignity or the fitness of things then.
He cares nothing for them now. His object
was to create an effect then. That is his OIL
ject now. Close observers cannot see that
there is much difference between the way he
conducted the circus and 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 Gar
den; New York, instead of at his home in
this city.
Mr.. Bryan is honest and his friends adj
m i'm for thot o. t.;
they have been surprised at the light manner
with which he is playing with what seems in
his hands, Il mere bauble. Il nomination for
the Presidency of the United States. His pic
turesque trip from Salem to Lincoln his re-
peated speeches and continued publicity in
advance of the official notification of the
nomination. his boyish and illconsdered
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 distinguish man in
Mr.. Bryn's position. lie is feverish in his
haste. He Is unable to stay in one place any
length of time or continue at one task He
wants to be up and going to and fro. When
he came home he was the first man to appear
on the platform of the car. and on the way
from Salem to Lincoln he was generally 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 Invested himself Of
his coat and vest and spent most of the time
| in this attire in front of his house or around
the ncighborhood. When visitors arrived
from out of the city, instead of receiving them
quietly at his residence he makes "A hurried
trip down town. carrying his wife with him,
and holds Il reception in hotel.
The people here like Mr. Bryan, but he
fails to command serious respect. Observ-
ing the traits which have been particularly
| prominent since he was made the nominee in
| Chicago. one seems forced to the conclusion
that his personal qualities, admirable though
they may be. are not such us to specially fit
him for the discharge of the duties of chief
executive of nation Of &c. O0O. 900 people.
The late William E. Russell was Il young
man, II very young man, when he was first
elected Governor of Massachusetts, but he
was always looked upon as safe one. 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. He has never been accused of
a dishonest act. No faint or stain of reproach
has ever attached to his reputation as Il man.
But in temperament the Boy Orator is exactly
the opposite of the boy governor. He is lack
ing in those qualities that made Russell II
leader in the Democratic party while he was
a boy in years. Russell was brave and dar-
| ing and he had enthusiasm. but he was not
spasmodic nor fidgety. He had a sef-poise
dignity, and 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 rs the
result of 1t few minutes of impassioned ard
reckless eloquence.