Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-07-15
Some Of the Republicans sought to

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take advantage Of his inexperience by
interrupting him with questions that
might have puzzled much older heads.
But Mr.. Bryan frightened under this
friction and forced one Republican after
another into his seat, all Of them find
ing the young Nebraskan more than
their match. He argued his case with
dramatic direotlssss that aroused not
only the enthusiasm Of tho Democrats,
but won the applause of : galleries.
First Recognition In Congress.
The first cheers the young man won
from his fellow congressman were elic-
tied by characteristic piece Of wit.
"There was once a time in the his
tory Of Nebraska" he said, "when
there was a sheep there for every per-
son in the state. But now, if every wo-
man In Nebraska named Mary wanted
pet lamb, she would have to go out Of
the state to get it"
The peroration Of that speech is worth
quoting, for it shows tersely the stand
MI. Bryan has taken on the tariff ques.
tion all through his public career. It is
as follows:
"The country has nothing to fear
from the Democratic policy upon the
tariff question. It means more equal
distribution Of the great advantages Of
this country. It means that the men
who produce the wealth shall retain q
larger share Of It
ut Is for this reason that young men
Of this country are coming to the DEM
ocratic party. It Is because we are
right, and right will triumph. The day
will come, and that soon, I trust, when
wiser economic policies will prevail
than those 10 which the Republican
party Is welded; when the laws in this
country will be made for all and not for
few; when those who annually con-
gregate about this capital, seeking 10
use the taxing power for purposes OF
private gain, will have lost their occu-
patton; when the burdens Of govern
ment will be equally distributed and its
blessings likewise.
"Hail that dayl When it comes, to
use the language Of another, Democracy
will be king. Long live the kingP"
At the end Of that speech the MEM
bers of the house no longer questioned
the ability Of the young man just come
among them. Natures that had been
prone to discount the youthful inter-
loper from Nebraska recovered from
their error with no further delay.
No one meered at Bryan after that
and there were few who dared to risk
the discomfort Of tackling the 1.-the
wesserner who was 80 quick and nimble
on his mental feet.
All through that congress-the Fifty
second-Bryan was one of the most
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 1t
was with the knowledge that he had
fought good fight.
He entered the next congress to fight
a new battle. He had Joined the forces
Of Mr.. Bland's free silver warfare and
became the first lieutenant Of the Mis-
souri, veteran. In the previous congress
Mr.. Bland's right hand man had been
Mr.. Pierce of Tennessee, but he failed
Of reelection. Pierce was not great
orator, but was an effective speaker and
skillful and adroit parliamentary gem
eral. What Bryan lacked In the latter
respect he fully made up by his bril-.
liancy as speaker, and in the silver
debates of that congress he laid the
foundations for his political future.
He had sided with Mr.. Bland in the
previous congress, but it was not until