The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-09-05

V X
through the various state today without
recognizing the fact that Mr.. Bryan is
much stronger and much more firmly in
trenched in the confidence of the multi
last presidential campaign. He IS the su-
preme, unchallenged leader of his party.
large and constantly increasing following
he has among business men now
His refusal to engage in personal at
tacks on the president, his decent and
d1gnined manner of speech and his oppOSi-
ton TO a national policy of foreign adj
venture seem to have broken down the
prevailing distrust among Iegitinate b1ls-
mess men. The truth is that Mr. Bryan
is today the great barrier against state
socialism in America. Were it not for his
unceaSing labOrs, his open and real sym
patty for the millions who suffer in the
shadow Of remorseless corporate greed,
and his power of convincing the desper-
be won without overturnine the TTes Ssrit
order of government, state socialism
would be kndled into life.
Hundreds of thousands of men who look
with kindly eyes upon government confis-
cation Of trusts as a relief for the pres
ent top-heavy, unequal condition OF the
nation have been drawn into support of
the Democratic party through their be-
lief in Mr.. Bryan's sincerity He bridges
a great gulf. So long as the original con-
diuons, tendencies and opportunities of
of socialism to be seen. Mr.. Bryan's rise
into national power is the last protest of
against the new order of things repre-
scented by McKinleyism, trusts and imper-
ialism.
Much as I personally dislike and distrust
the Tree silver idea, 1 am compelled by
force Of facts to recognize in Mr.. Bryan
a really great man, a stubborn and un-
compromising champion of a mistaken
financial policy, but a statesman and pat
riot who loves and believes in the plain
people. Much has been written and said
about Mr.. Bryan's failure to make a nat
1Onal name and great fortune as a law
was only % years old when he was admir-
ted to the bar in small Illinois town,
seven years later and entered uDon a no
iltleal career Yet twice during that per-
in Jacksonville. and again after his re-
DECLTNED. a TRUSTS OFFER.
Besides that, he declined to accept a sal
Oil company preferring to live more econ
omically and fight against the abuses of
He has much more solid record as a
lawyer, and business man than President
ever been called upon to pay his debts.
and I personally know that he has helped
many an unfortunate friend out of his
troubles.
Another fact about Mr. Bryan has be-
come known since 1886: He can not be
vertebrate He is the master rather than
the servant of those who surround him.
II was said In the last campaign that if
this uninformed inexperienced youth from
the prairies of Nebraska should be seated
N tne W nite Rouse MS every act would
be dictated by cranks and fanatics. But
today the whole nation can witness in
every part of the country the evidence of
this mans indOmitable will and uncon-
Querable courage.
1 am quite sure that if the next Demo-
meet his convictions he would decline to
be the Democratic candidate although he
would vote the Democratic ticket.
My own judgment is that he will have
no rival in the national convention and
VIII be nominated by reclamation It is
too soon to express a positive opinion re-
garding his chances of election, but
than when he was last d candidate. and
that II the contest Is to be between Mr..