The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-09-05
Noted Journalist Describes the
Democratic Leader.
James Creelman Considers Him
a Great Statesman.
STRONGER THAN EVER
Wrote Of the Nebraskan Three
Years Ago.
Recently Declined a Standard
Oil Trust Offer.

James Creelman writes from Cincinnati
to the St. Louis Republic as follows:
Mr.. Bryan is not one of the most impul-
sive men in America The common idea of
him is that he is governed in all things
by his emotions. Nothing could be further
from the truth. His habit of mind is or
Derby and deliberate and he is usually
desperately slow in making decisions. OF
all the leaders of the Democratic party,
as its exists today. he is, perhaps, more
suspicious of issues that originate in pop
ular clamor than any other
This statement may surprise men who
look upon Mr.. Bryan as a 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 con-
sentative rather than radical, fundamental
Since his nomination in 1886, Mr. Bryan
has grown graver, broader, deeper He
has lost what was in him, sectional feel
ing, and looks to the sWarming east to
help the south and west in the struggle
against the abuses of corporate wealth IN
politics. He is more natural in his point
of view. Today he seems TO understand
that man may disagree with him on the
currency question and vet be a sincere
Democrat, as representing the party creed
Although I have not been a supporter
of Mr. Bryan, 1 am convinced by personal
contact with him and by my knowledge OF
what he has accomplished and is accom-
plishing now, that three years have
spired but enthralled by single idea, into
many-sided, responsible statesman His
principle and his power Of compelling con-
ddence in his honesty are gradually reu-
iii'ii MOST los e AsTGTE PPo1GLlffrIC1AN.
Let no one be deluded by the idea that
Mr.. Bryan does not understand party pol
tiles in all its ramihcau tons, should say
that he is at this moment the most aStute
politician in the United States Think
of the extraordinary ability and knOWl-
edge required to hold in union the Demo-
cratic, Populist and Free Silver Republi-
can parties; think OF a defeated candt-
date who can for three years, without
power or place, hold the attention OF the
entire nation, speak boldly and without
reserve on every public issue in time
of constant and fierce excitement, and vet
not make a single political blunder; in
these three years he has become more
moderate in speech and less rhetorical.
He is reasonable rather than dictatorial-
terful politician, because that is the side
OF his character not generally understood
Neither Senator Hanna, President Mck1n-
ley David Is. HILL Arthur +. German nor
Richard Croker is in the same grade with
him as party politician He seems to
rule without threats, without promises
organization that will compare in com
pleteness with any that has existed since
the civil war. He is determined that this
party Snall not go into the next campaign
in a fluid condition. If Mr. Bryan has a
serious fault a politician, it is his in
ability to yield or seem to yield.
email. He dominates everything about
him. In this respect he unfortunately re-
Cleveland, he trusts the common sense of
the common people Mr.. Bryan's deep
religious convictions control him in his at
titude toward the masses. He firmly be
lieves that the hand of God is always
present in the affairs of men, and that it
IS a part of the divine plan to work out
mind; in other words, through the major
ity. --