The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1897-08-10
Democracy's . Leader.
The limetaIllst Pays Splendid Trib-
ute TO W. ]. Bryan.


appeared remarkably fne article
from the Washington Post on thi
alleged "passing of Mr.. Bryan" N
the term is used by those who deen
1t to their interest that he SHOULD
"pass' into the shades of Oblivion
That article should be read hy
every voter in the United States
Not only is 1t beautiful in it'
diction, but 1t evinces a spirit o.
fairness toward the leader of the
silver forces in the late campaign
that we have observed in no other
opposition paper. 1t recognizes
and admits that Mr.. Bryan is a
stronger personality in American
politics than ever before; that
while defeated candidates usually
drop out of sight and almost out OF
memory, his defeat has not in the
slightest degree weakened the
ardor Of his supporters, and that
his leapership is absolutely un-
questioned. 1t is pleasure to read
such an article, for the writer not
only has the intelligence to grasp
the real situation, but had the cour-
age to speak the truth, thus plac-
lug himself IN marked contrast to
the very large crops OF very small
men who are attempting to belittle
Mr.. Bryan either by petty filings or
alleged wit. The attacks upon him
ere utterly puerile and contempti.
lie.
Nothing could have been more
manly or dignifed than the course
which he has pursued since the
close Of the grent contest in which
he was so marked II figure.
He was and Is poor man. II
was imperative for him to provide
for himself and family, and he
must do it in such a. way as to leave
him absolutely unfettered IN his
political actions, and under person
al obligations To pobody. The small
town Of Lincoln, in which he lived,
afforded no suitable field for the
exercise of his legal talents. There
is no doubt that he could have
made good living, and perhaps
amussed some wealth even in
Lipcoia. Or he might have gone
elsewhere. # is weil known that
he declined retainer Of $4,000 a /
year to act as counsel for the great |
firm Of Seigel & Cooper. So it can
scarcely be said that he was forced |
to abandon the legal profession.
Even $4,000 year il q to!erably |
fair salary In these days Of gold
standard prosperity (?) In truth,
it was more than he could reason
ably hope to earn in any other way.
But that was a matter for him to
lecide. 1t was his privilege to
select his own vocation, and so long
Is he made an honorable choice
here is no moral right of criticism,
much less censure resting any
where. He did choose. He wrote
lis book. There was no more I'M
'ropriety in his dong so than there
vas in the publication of Grants
Memoirs, ,iDlaine's Twenty Years in
Congress, or Shcrman's Recollec-
ions.
But he gives half of the net pro-
ecds to the silver cause for educa-
ional purposes. This appears to
e the head and front of his offend
ng so far as the book is concerned,
t is said, OF course, that he was
elflsh in doing SO, but that can be
ffirmed of almost anyone who
nak es gift or renders q service
D the public or cause.
1t was, at all events, an act which
ompletely excludes the idea OF his (
eing moved by a spirit of merce-
ary greed which is so common
mong public men and so utterly
espicable.
Imagine Mr.. Carlisle declining q
etaiBer of $4,000 year! We I
ont know how much Morgan pays
i'm, but 1t is undoubtedly enough I
} keep the wo,f from the door. Q
imagine Mr.. Cleveland giving up !
alfof anything tor the public good. c
imagine Mr.. Mckinley declining Z
nancial aid from wealthy men |.
'stit might interfere with the free :
om of his political actions. i
When Mr.. Bryan's book was
lunched it was uncertain what the G
leasure of its success would be. t
le could not afford osit idle. He +
'ust do something, and he chose S
le lecture platform. He engaged a
a work for which he was splend- h
ly qualified, and which was alto Il
ether congenial to him. What his @
amounts 10 we do o