The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-11
WTLLIAM JhSNINGS BRYAN.
His Career and the Estimate in which His
Friends Hold HIN.

According to his friends William Jen-
nlngs Bryan is the greatest Democratic
orator In the history OF Nebraska. They
call him the idol Of the free-silver wing
OF the Nebraska Democracy. Here are
some remarks they make about him,
says the New York Sun:
1T was Mr. Bryan who achieved the
greatest triumph within his party when,
I'm the State Convention two years ago,
by common consent. he took the leader
snip. II was be who advised his fol-
lowers 20 endorse the candidacy OF Silas
A. HOlcOmb. who had been nominated by
the POpulists Of Nebraska for the office
Of Governor IL was also upon Mr..
Bryan5 recommendation that the same
convention endorsed the candidacy OF
other men on the Populist ticket. What
ne did then gave Nebraska the first Pop
ulist Governor and worked the defeat Of
the Republicans the sole object sought
by Mr. Bryan and his followers. The
consistent course OF Mr. Bryan rs a
silver advocate and the kindly feeling he
had an along as Democrat. eyinced fer
the popuists Of Nebraska. has made him
many friends I'm the Populist party
throughout the West.
"He will do more than any other West
ern man. draw support from the Popu-
list organization
Mr.. Bryan was born in Salem, Marion
county, Ill., on March -. 1860. Al the
age OF fifteen he entered Whpple Acad-
envy, at Jacksonville. IN 1871 he entered
Illinois College, and graduated valedic-
torian in ISL. For the next two years
he attended the Union Law College,
Chicago. studying IN the office OF Lyman
Trumbul After graduation he began
practice at jacksonville.
Ia 1857 he removed 10 Lincoln, Neb.,
and became a member Of the law firm
OF Talbot & Bryan. He was elected 10
Congress I'm the First Nebraska district
I'm 1890 over ". j. Cornell, OF Omaha.
and was reelected In 1892 over Allen
W. Fiald. of Lincoln. In 1884, Mr.. Bryan
declined third nomination. and was
nominated by the Democratic state
Convention for United states senator by
the unanimous vote 90 the convention.
The Republicans. however had majority
I'm the Legislature. and Bryan was de-
featei for tho scnatorship. since MI.
Bryau's Congress term expired he has
given his time exclusively 10 spreading
the doctrine Of free silver
lie nrst appeared IN the political arena
Of Nebraska in the campaign OF ISIS
when be stumped the First district FOR J.
Sterling Morton. nominee for Congress.
The same year he declined a nomination
for ieutenant-G Governor. on july ~
1850 he was nominated fer Congress and
wrote platform on which be ran.
Nobody but himself thought he could
be elected. lie stumped the district on
the tariff issue. and won fame as
polifical orator throughout the state TINS
beautiful language has been used ny an
admlrer to describe his graces as an
orator:
BRYAN neglects meme OF the accesso-
ries OF oratory. Nature richly lowered
him with rare grace. He is happy IN
attitude and pose. His gestures are on
Hogarth's line OF beauty. Mellliiuous
is the word that most apty describes
his voice II Is strong enough 10 DC
heard by thousands. IL Is sweet enough
a. charm those least inclined To music.
IL Is so modulated as not 10 VeN the
ear with monotony. and can be stern
or pathetic. fierce or gentle, serious OF
humorous with the varying emotions OF
its master. In his youth Bryan must
have had a sklllful teacher IN elocution'
and must have been a docile pupil. lie
enriches his speeches with illustrations
from the classics or from the common
occurrences OF everyday life with e9ual
felicity and facility. Some ptS7as''
from his orations are gems. ana are D.,
ing used az declarations by boys AZ
school But his browning gift as an
orator IL his evident sincerity ne %
candor incarnate and Thoroughly DC
ueves what he says himself ,,.u
Mr.. Bryan lives we'll In cornmoolouS
dwelling in the fashionable part OF III"
coin. Neb. His family consists OF mrs
Bryan; Ruth. aged eleyeni ."H"am -