The herald., 1896-07-12

The following sketch Of William j.
Bryan. published a few days since in
the Chicago Times Herald, in the light
of that gentleman's selection to lead
the party represented by the late Chi
cago convention. makes reading that is
both timely and interesting:
Sixteen years ago in a Republican ma
tional convention James A. Garfleld
made a speech nominating John Sher-
man of Ohio. The cheering delegates
forgot Sherman, and, charmed by elo-
quence, named the gifted orator, Gar
field, the standard bearer of the party.
Chicago was the scene Of that memoir
able convention.
If William Jennings Bryan, the BLACK
Eagle of Nebraska" addresses the Chi
cago convention on the silver question
history may repeat itself.
William j. Bryan is not an active aud
avowed candidate before the conven-
tiOn, but his friends are not unaware
of the fact that in the chance of politics
the several factions may so align them
selves that the nomination of Bryan
will be logical and almost inevitable
They admit that his comparative youth
Is handicap to the present realization
Of so high an ambition. but contend With
The Nebraska statesman and orator
is presidential timber in this year. He
Is a free silver man of no recent con-
version. Fifteen years ago, while yet a
struggling lawyer, his voice was lifted
In behalf Of the white metal, and since
that time he has never wavered in his
allegiance to the silver cause. While
his name Is not so intimately connected
with legislation on this issue as that of
Richard p. Bland, it was not the fault
of Mr.. Bryan, but rather the lack of op-
portunity. On the score of devotion to
silver the record of w. ]. Bryan can
not be questioned. In view of the evil
dent complexion of the majority this is
an all-important consideration.
In the second place Mr. Bryan is a
western man. He is a resident of Ne
braska and has represented that state
in congress. Nebraska is doubtful
state, according to the predictions Of
the silver leaders. Mr.. Bryan was born
in Illinois, which must also be carried
by the Democlbcy in order to win Of
a free silver platform. Geographically
Mr.. Bryan is located in the heart of that
great district the various states Of
which sent free silver delegations to the
Chicago convention.
In the third place Mr.. Bryan has al
ways been Democrat. He cast his first
vote for the Democratic ticket and has
ever been consistent supporter of the
tenets of that organization. In this re-
spect he has distinct advantage with
a certain element of his party over his
neighbor, Mr.. Boies, whose candidacy
is somewhat retarded by the fact that
at one stage in his career he was an ac-
tive Republican.
If the Popplist vote is to be catered
to, the candidacy of w. J. Bryan be-
comes more formidable. He has taken
a radical position on all issues favored
by the third party, and many of their
leaders are openly advocating his nomi-
nation for the presidency at the coming
st. Louis Populist convention. Taking
these several facts into consideration.
Mr.. Bryan is to be regarded as a most
promising dark horse and may be heard
from before the convention adjourns.
William Jennings Bryan was born in
Salem, ILL.,, March 10, 1860. He was
graduated from Illinois college at Jack
sonville in 1881. To make his way through
the Union College of Law at Chicago
he worked in Lyman Trumbulps law
office.
From his earliest years he had fancy
for public speaking, which developed
his oratorical powers. In 1880 he won
gecond pri8e as the representative Of
nlinois college In the state collegiate