The herald., 1897-12-13
STILL IN THE ASCENDENT

The student of American history will
scan it's pages in vain for a parallel to
the remarkable career of William Jen-
nings Bryan since his introduction to
the domain of American politics, dating
back to that July day only few months
ago. when the great political organiza-
ton which has controlled the destinies
of this country longer than any other
recognized his abilities and his worth,
and made him, with a degree Of enthusi
asm seldom if ever eQualed upon similar
occasions, the standard bearer in one Of
the most important and stubbornly con-
tested national contests ever witnessed
in this country. His attitude through
was so lofty and dignified and patriot
ically becoming that 1t commanded not
only the love and admiration of his
friends, but also the respect Of his po-
litical antagonists. If the struggle was
not entirely free from villification and
abuse, his magnificent personality yet
served him as did shield and armor the
knight errant of tradition. No man
ever emerged from such struggle with
clearer record or cleaner hands. and had
he dropped at once into that obscurity
which Is proverbially the fate of de-
feated candidates for the presidency he
would yet be remembered kindly and ad
miringly as man of exceptional abili-
ties, of remarkable poise, and of almost
phenomenal political genius. But in this
as in many other things he has pleas
antly surprised his supporters and as
tonished his enemies.
Throughout the length and breadth of
the land, from the closing Of the polls
to this hour Bryan defeated has in the
minds of the people been more conspic-
uous than Mckinley triumphant, and 1t
may be claimed without the least ap-
prehension of dispute that he. Is now.
fourteen months after the election, more
popular with the masses than he was
when standing out in bold relief as the
representative of the great ideas in is
sue There is no reason why man who
has occupied such position in the
breach should pass out of grateful men,
ory once the battle is over, and it would
be difficult to explain the phenomenon.
but that it is the common fate Of those
who have gone before Is we'll known
and widely recognized. Blaine was a
notable exception, and yet his most ar
dent champions will concede that his
traditional plume was considerably be-
draggled after the collapse Of his hopes
in 1884, and 1t Is a part Of the political
history of the country that his following
steadily diminished from that hour and
was never again capable of heroic rally.
Plain citizen of the United States, Mr..
Bryan was yesterday the honored guest
of the president Of the Mexican repub-
lie, one of the wsest and most benign
ant statesmen America has ever pro-
duced. He was welcomed at the border
with telegraphic greeting from Diaz,
and a deputation of civilians and off,
cials from the City of Mexico, who Wed
with each other in doing honor to him
who bears the single title, conferred
upon him in derision by contemptuous
foe, but which he now wears as deco
ration, "The Boy Orator"
Mr.. Bryan is in Mexico for purpose.
He proposes to see for himself the eff
fects of the working of free silver in a
country which has had the courage to
adhere to it through good and evil re-
there may be Of service here. Every IA
cility essential to an exhaustive investi-
cation will be afforded him, and he will
return home fortified with information
obtained from first hands and confirmed
by the fiscal heads of the government