The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-09-16
4 VISIT TO LINCOLN, NEB.

A VISIT TO LINCOLN, NEB.
We had the honor of an invitation
to visit Lincoln, Nebraska, the home
Of the next president Of the United
States, to speak at monster meet
ing held there. September 7, 1896; and
to participate in the jubilation the
next day. when the Free Silver party
notified Mr.. Bryan officially of his
nomination by their convention. We
give report of the meeting of the
7th inst. in another column.
The next afternoon Mr.. Bryan
spoke in front of the State Capitol to
an immense gathering; he was follow
ed by Mr.. Grote, of Ohio, chairman
Of the Free Silver committee, and,-
being called upon by the crowd, we
spoke for about half an hour. The
next day we had the honor of being
one Of the guests at a dinner party
given by Mr.. Bryan to the Free Silver
committee. About twenty sat down
to table and it was most enjoyable
occasion. Among the guests was
Hon. Thomas d. O'Brien, the very
able Minnesota member of the Demo-
cratic national committee, with whom
we had travelled from St. Paul to Lin
coin, and who had spoken with US at
the meeting of the 7th inst.
We have been acquainted with Mr..
Bryan for several years past. We had
served with him in the great Free
Silver Chicago Convention, and were
with him on the platform committee,
and jointly drew the greater part of
the resolutions put forth by that
gathering. We had also spoken with
him at Chicago, Minneapolis and at
other points. We regarded him as
one of the ablest and most eloquent
and fearless men In the country, and
a true and faithful advocate OF re-
form. Our recent visit to Lincoln,
Neb., strongly confirmed these views.
He is an extraordinary man. The
campaign he is making is unparalleled
in the history of American statesman
ship. He shows in his face the wear
and tear of the great ordeal he is pass
ing through, but his voice is still
clear and his energy unimpaired. His
sagacity is as remarkable as his en-
durance. He has been speaking every
day for month, to wildly enthu-
siastic audiences, but he has not once
been carried off his feet to utter one
word that his friends could regret.
We visited at Mr.. Bryan's house. 1t
is modest, little structure. such as
you can rent in St. Paul for 5 20 per
month. 1t is full of the accumula-
tions Of books, pictures. ETC., such as
an Intelligent man of literary tastes
naturally gathers around him.
We had the honor of making Mrs
Bryans acquaintance, at the close Of
the meeting Of the 7th inst. She is a
fit help-mate for her distinguished
husband,-and an exceedingly clear
headed, well-informed lady;-notwith-
standing the fact that some republic
can editor referred to her as "a coun-
try-bred girl" We hope the country"
will continue to breed many more such
girls" They are the hope Of the ma
tion. Her devotion to her husband Is
something beautiful to behold; -she
Is wrapped up in him. She dresses in
the plainest garb; there is not the
slightest vanity or pretense in her
character; and she calls Mr.. Bryan
willie" as she doubtless did when
they were newly married. 1t is one of
the pleasantest sights in the world
to be remem bered during a lifetime,
to see this ole and excellent woman
moving about her modest home, clad
in calico wrapper, keen, observant,
watchful and wise. She will dignity
the White House; and prove:
"A noble woman. wi, ely planned
10 guide, to comfort, to command"
Such couple as Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan
are the finest fruits of our institu-
tions. They make one proud to call
himself an American. We can pres
ent the N to the world, (as we sha Ii on
the 4th OF March next.) and ask all
the older civilizations to parallel
them.
The poet,-the Roman maxim tells
us.-is born, not made; and Mr.. Bryan
is born statesman. His Thoughts,
from his youth up. have instinctively
turned to public affairs. He is not q
money-grabber, any more than Jeffer-
sou was. There is vein of huma nj
tarianism and enthusiasm permeat-
ing the muscularity of his mind. We
are told that his father, Judge Silas
Bryan, Of Illinois, was once afflicted
with a serious sickness. and he made
a VOW that II he recovered he would
three times a day thank God on his
Bonded knees. He recovered, and
ever after he kept his VOW. II twelve
o'clock came he would adjourn court