Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1899-09-21
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN. :
As viewed by the Famous News.
paper Correspondent
AN IMPARTIAL OPINION.
Hy James Crcelman, tne New York re
porter who accompanied Mr.. Bryan
in his famous campaign in 1896.

men in America. The common idea of
him is that he is governed in all things
by his emotions. Nothing could be fur
ther from the truth. His habit of mind
is orderly and deliberate, and he is usual.
y desperately slow IN making decisions.
vi all the leaders Of the democratic party
as it exists today he is, perhaps, more
liborious and careful, more studious and
more suspicious ii issues that originate
in popular clamor than any other.
This statement may surpiire men who
look upon Mr.. Bryan as mere passion
ate orator. But it is the simple truth.
His political passions are passions of
what he conceives to be principles. This
is the key to the Bryan OF today. He is
conservative rather than radical, funda-
mental rather than practical.
Since his nomination in 1896 MIR. Bryan
has grown graver, broader. deeper. He
has lost what there was in him OF sec
tional feeling, and looks to the swarming
East to help the South and West in it's
struggle against the abuses OF corporate
wealth in politics. lie is more national
in his point OF view. Today he seems to
understand that man may disagree with
him on the currency question and yet be
sincere democrat, accepting the party
creed as a whole.
Although have not been a supporter
OF Nj. Bryan, l am convinced by personal
contact with him and my knowledge Of
what he has accomplished and is accom-
p!ishing now that three years have
changed him from q sectional leader in
spired but en:hralled by single idea
into mi. ny sided, responsible statesman.
His patient tact, his courageous devotion
to principle and his power OF compelling
confidence in his honesty are gradually
reuniting the democratic party.
Let no one be deluded by the idea that
Mr.. Bryan does not understand party
politics in all its ramifcations. should
saw that he is at this moment the most
astute politician in the United States.
Think OF the extraordinary ability and
knowledge required to hold in union the
democratic, populist, and free silver re-
publican parties; think of Il defeated
candidate who can for three years, with
out power or place, hold the attention OF
the entire nation, speak boldly and with
out reserve on every public issue in a
time OF constant and fierce excitement,
and vet not make single political blum
der; in these three years he has become
more moderate in speech and less rhe-
torical. lie is reasonable rather than
dictatorial.
Ispeak of him as a profound and mas
terful politician, because that is the side
of his character not generally understood.
Neither Senator Hanna, President Nc
Kinley. David b. Hill, Arthur +. German
nor Richard Croker is in the same grade
with him as a party politician. He
seems to rule witho, threats, without
promises and without money. lie IS
building up an organization that Will
compare in completeness with any that
has existed since the civil war. lie is
determined that his party shall not 80
into the next campaign in fluid condi'
ton. Ii Mr.. Bryan has Il serious fault as
n politician it is his inability to yield, or
seem to yield.
His personality is something phenom'
email. He dominates everything about
him. In this respect he unfortunately
resembles Mr. Cleveland. but, unlike Mr.
Cleveland, he trusts the common sense
Of the common people. MIR. Bryan's
deem religious convictions control him in
his attitude toward the masses. lie firm
" believes that the hand OF God is always
nresent in the affairs of men, and that 1t
is Il part of the divine plan to work out
eye,v good thing through the average
mind; in other words, through the ma
jority.
No unprejudiced man can travel through
the various states today without recog-
nizing the fact that MIR. Bryan Is much
stronger and much more firmly intrenched
in the confidence of the multitude than
he was at any time during the last presi-
dental campaign. He is the supreme,
unchallenged leader OF his party. But
what has most impressed me is the 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
identified manner OF speech and his oppo'
sition to national policy OF foreign adj
venture seem to have broken down the
prevailing distrust among legitimate BUSH
ness men. The truth is that Mr.. Bryan
10 TODAY the great barrier against state