Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-07-18

Some Of the republicans sought to
take advantage of his inexperience by
interrup5inS him with questions that
might have puzzled much older heads.
But Mr.. Bryan frightened under this
friction and forced orc Republican after
another into his scat, all of them find
ing the young Nebraskan more than
their match. He argued his case with q
dramatic dircCtnCss that aroused not
only the enthusiasm OF the Democrats,
but won the applause Of the galleries.
FIRST Recognition IN Congress.
The first cheers the young man won
| from his fellow congressman were clio
tied by characteristic piece OF wit.
There was once q time in the his
, tory of Nebcasl-a,'' he said, ''when
there was sheep there for every per-
, son in the state But now, if every We
| man i'll Nebraska named Mary wanted
| pet lamb, she would have to so out of
! the state to get it. "
The peroration of that speech is worth
quoting, for it shows tersely the stand
! Mr. Bryan has taken or the tariff ques-
| ton all through his public career. 1t is
! as follows:
''Thc country has nothing to fear
from the Democratic policy upon the
| tariff question. 1t means q more equal
| distribution of the great advantages Of
this country. 1t means that the men
who produce the wealth shall retain 4
larger share Of it.
| sit Is for this reason that young men
Of this country are coming TO the DEM
| ocratic party. 1t is because we are
right, and right viii triumph. The day
will come, and that soon, l trust, when
wiser economic policies will prevail
than those to which the Republican
party is welded; when the laws in this
country will be made for all and not for
a few; when those who annually con-
| gregatc about this capital, seeking &c
use the taxing power fer purposes OF
private gain, will have lost their occu-
patton; when the burdens of govern,
mcnt will be equally distributed and Its
blessings likewise.
Hail that day, When it comes, tC
use tie languag2 CT another, Democracy
will be king Long live the kingv"
| st the end CT that speech the mem,
bcrs Of the house 10 longer questioned
the ability of the young man just conc
| among them. Natures that had beer
prone TO discount the youthful inter
lopcr from Nebraska recovered from
their error with no further delay.
No che sne,red at Bryan after that
and there were few who dared to risE
the discomfort Of tackliug the HthC
westorner who was SO quick and nimblt
on his mental feet.
All through that corgress-the Fifty
second-Bryan was one Of the mos
prominent figures in the house, although
he was its youngest member. He de
voted limitless time to tariff reform
and when he went back to Nebraska i
was with the knowledge that he hat
fought good fight.
He entered the next congress to fig!l
new battle He had joined the force
, | Of Mr.. BANDS free silver warfare an,
became the first lieutenant of the Mis-
souri, veteran. IN the previous congress
Mr.. Blard's right hand man had bee,
Mr.. Pierce of Tennessee, but he faiiet
OF reelection. Pierce was not grea
orator, but was an effective speaker ant
a skillful and adrcit parliamentary gen
, cral. What Bryan lacked in the latte
respect he fully made up by his bril-
liarcy as a speaker, and in the silvc
B! debates Of that congress h. laid tn
y foundations for his political future.
He had sided with Mr.. Bland in tn
q, previous congress, bat it was not unit