Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-07-18

ialu nrm foundation Tor Il state
reputation.
So commanding, indeed, were the
talents of this remarkable young man
that the very next year he was offered
the Democratic nomination for Lieu
tenant Governor. This he declined.
but he took an active part in the cam.
paign, making in all more than fifty
speeches.
Meantime J. Sterling Morton, at
the election of 1888. had been defeat
ed for Congress by his Republican op
ponent, w. J. Connell. by more than
5000 majority, alth.ugh the district
two years before had given Demo-
cratic majority of nearly 1000. There
was need of new Moses. and the
younger Democrats of the district de,
cided that Bryan was the man to lead
them.
When he was offered the Congress
ional nomination in 1890. Connell,
being n candidate for re election.
Bryan said:
"Of course there is no show for an
election, but will make the race and
do my best"
Only 30 years old at the time, he
put all his might into the fight
II will advocate the Democratic
principle of tariff reform ON every
stump in the district" he said, and he
carried out his words. 1t was her
culean labor, for the district was made
up of nine counties and polled a total
vote of more than 10000.
ELECTED TO CONGRESS.
The old time politicians took no in
terest in the battle, as they looked
upon ii as lost at the outset, and they
were more than niggardly in furnish.
ing the sinews of war. But the
younger Democrats were more than
Jealous, and by their vigorous efforts
full made up for the lack of campaign
funds.
Mr.. Bryan was then, as nov, com
paratively poor man, and his cam.
plign expenses were limited to less
than s400. But the greatest interest
was aroused. and Mr.. Bryan's tour
became one long ovation. The Re
publicans had submitted Prohibition
amendment to the State Constitution.
and the Democrats. in their platform,
had declared against Prohibition.
Lincoln aud Omaha, the largest cities
in the State. were in the district, and
in them the Republicans lost heavily
on the temperance issue.
A striking feature ot the campaign
was the challenge issued by the Demo.
cratic Committeeman Cnnnell to dis
cuss the issues Of the day in joint de-
bate with Mr.. Bryan. They did not
really expect that Connell would be
rash enough to accept, but hoped to
make political capital out of his re-
fusal. Conneil, however, hattered by
former successes in haranguing help.
less luries, accepted the challenge.
Mr.. Bryan then showed that he was
not only his adversary's superior in
oratory, but also his master in matters
of fact. Thoroughly familiar with
the subjects to he discussed, he was
equipped with statistical and historical
information and was ever ready to
meet the points of his opponent to
economic as well as political grounds
From the outset his advantage was
So mar ked that Connell's friends reco-
mended him to find some excuse to
draw out the contest. but with more
persistence than discretion, he refused
to hearken to their advice and when
the votes were counted it was found
that he had been showed under by
majority Of nearly 1000.
HIS MAIDEN SPEECH CAPTIvATED.
a winning so large as this, and ac-
complished 50 distinctly upon the issue
of tariff reform. made Mr.. Bryan,
when the House was organized, an
eminently worthy man for recognition
in the making up of the Ways and
Means Committee, as a representative
of the West. Although a newcomer
in Congress, he was appointed without
protest ON the part of any one. The
wisdom of Speaker Crisp's judgment
was shown when Mr. Bryan made his
first speech. 1t was brilliant plea
for tariff reform and made the biggest
hit of the debate.
The House was in confusion when
he began speaking, but in five minutes
every Democratic leader sat about
him, listening intently. The Repub-
licans soon paid the young orator the
same compliment, the galleries began
to fill up and the crowd remained
until he had finished.
Some of the Republicans sought to
take advantage of his inexperience by
interrupting him with questions that
might have puzzled older heads But
Mr. Rrynn hrightened unIar this