Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-02
Bryan q Chicago.

was accompanied by all the dramatic
features characteristic of him in this
campaign. 1t was here that he cap
tured an ostensible Democratic conven-
tion-controlled by Populists-with a
speech Astounding in gaudy metaphors,
and delivered with the practiced dra-
matte effect of the actor. 1t Is fitting
perhaps that he should practically end
his spectacular candidacy in the same
place.
He came and went somewhat like
meteor. He attracted a curious crowd
while in transit, but was forgotten al
most as quickly as he dropped behind
the horizon. A careful canvass of the
city fails to show that his coming has
made any appreciate difference in the
political situation. The lines We're too
closely drawn before he came to admit
of much change-one way or the other.
Men are not swept off their feet in the
ninth hour by that kind Of a wind
storm.
To be sure Mr. Bryan drew enormous
crowds and aroused much apparent
enthusiasm: but what of that?
Chicago is a large city. and his own
supporters, though largely in the
minority, are yet sufficiently numerous
to accord him all this. To their
numbers, add the crowds who would
go to hear the Presidential candidate
of any large political party as a mere
matter of curiosity. and we have no
difficulty in accounting for Mr.. Bryan's
large crowds. To assume, however.
that these crowds contain any appre-
Bryan's political views is to ignore the
facts of our political history. Mr..
Bryan has, it is true. spoken to large
crowds, and shown considerable physi-
cal endurance. 1t is question. how
ever when we consider the difference
in population of the two periods,
whether Mr.. Bryan has drawn as large
crowds as gathered to hear Horace
Greeley in his famous but disastrous
campaign against Grant. 1t is doubtful,
indeed, whether the receptions that have
been given him, in his tour about the
country, are any more spontaneous
that were accorded Mr.. Greeley 1t is
equally questionable whether his ad-
dresses have carried any greater con-
viction to his hearers than did those
Of Mr.. Greeley. Indeed it is doubtful
if they have been as long remembered.
Mr.. Greeley was man of experience
and attachments. He was a clear force
full thinker who had won his way to
national distinction. He was a ma
tional figure. Indeed it is doubtful if
any man in the country was better
known to the American people when he
became the candidate of the Demo-
cratic party for the presidency. He
exhausted all his vitality in wonder
full personal campaign, was over
whelmingly defeated at the polls, and
died broken hearted.
What is there in W. ]. Bryan that
can compare with this great man. save
it be his mere physical endurance In
deed Mr.. Bryan's addresses have con-
tanned no wide range of thought, and
little if any originality. The most
striking things he has said have been
borrowed from others. The effect he
has produced has not been a lasting
one; but has departed with himself.
He has said nothing that could with
stand the analysis of reason, and we
believe that the election returns will
show the results of his campaign to
have been meagre indeed.
While the young orator of the Platte
has been talking from the rear plat
form of his excursion train the people
of the country have not been saying
much; but they have been doing
large amount of thinking. They nave
had no difficulty in definitely locating
the fallacies of Mr.. Bryan's position.
From the date of the Maine election in
september the political tide has set
steadily against him. Although OF an
| exceedingly sanguine Temperament
and surrounded by crowd of rainbow
chasers Mr.. Bryan began to feel this
himself. 1t was evident to him. and
to his political lord and master. Cover
nor Altgeld. that the current was over
whelmingly against him in Chicago.
and would insure his defeat. by a de-
cisive majority in the state of Illinois
1t was in the vain hope of stemm,np
this adverse popular current that nv
BRYAN was hustled to Chicago for :,
supreme effort. His coming there nm
der such circumstances was. in itsa,f
confession of the desperate weak.
ness OF the Popocratic cause.
1t is apparent that this was his lac
card. He has played it, and lost. Tho
sound money men are masters Of the