Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-19
RICHARD PARKS BLAND.

Minneapolis Times: by those who could
not subscribe to his financial creed he was
admired for the ability, courage and per-
sistency witt which he labored for a goodly
share of lifetime as its advocate. Those
who struggled side by side with him for
what they regarded as the only true bi-
metallism held him in affcctionate respect
as pioneer captain in the cause, and
placed the utmost reliance upon his leader
ship.
Detroit Free Press: Though this typical
representative of western democracy met
the experience OF so many of our leading
politicians who have seen the presidency
almost within their reach only to have it
suddenly taken from them forever, yet
there will be a certain historic compensa
tion in the fact that his whole political
career was closely associated with the great
financial struggle which eliminated in the
campaign of 1896.
Chicago Tribune: II any man deserved
well OF his party 1t was Bland He was its
logical candidate for the presidency, but
he was deliberately sacrificed in the inter-
ests OF a man with not tithe of his ability
and with no record of service. While Mr..
Bland was not sound on the financial ques-
tion, he had fought the battle for silver In
manly and honest way, which is more
than can be said for Bryan, and his bitter
est enemies never questioned his personal
integrity.
st. Paul Pioneer Press: In Mr.. Blands
departure the democracy has lost an hon
est, If an erring, leader-one whose intense
sincerity contributed an amount of 'charac-
ter" to its organization which, in the gen
eTal characterlessncss revealed In large sec
tions thereof especially in the easD, it can
i'll afford to lose. He will be remembered
and quoted by the future searcher after
facts in connection with the Silver craze"
long after the more snowy men preferred
by his party shall have found oblivion.
Washington Star: The Missouri leader is
acclaimed as the father of the present silver
cause. He has certainly done more than
any other ono man to keep the cause vital.
He has devoted his whole public life to it,
and at times has stood with but small
following to encourage him. He has borne
up under many defeats. and be 1t said to
his credit under none so well as that which
befell him in 1896, when much younger
man came with rush to the front and the
veterans one and all were eclipsed. Mr..
Bland did not sulk for moment, and has
not sulked since.
indianapolis News: A study of his career
shows what may be accomplished by a man
of very ordinary abilities and slender in
formation, of unquestioned honesty of pur-
pose, and of strict personal integrity pro-
vided he deliberately limits himself to one
object in life and bends every energy to it's
accomplishment. Mr.. Bland had hold on
the people of his district which nothing
could shake, and he also had the respect
of his countrymen-even his adversaries
admitting his sincerity and admiring his
persistent courage. OF course from our
point of view, his public life was wasted,
for he devoted it entirely to fighting what
was necessarily a losing battle. But the
same qualities enlisted on the right side
Of any great question cannot fail to ac-
complish important results. So even Mr..
Bland's political adversaries may learn a
valuable lesson from his career.