New Iberia enterprise. (New Iberia, La.) 1885-1902, 1899-09-23


government confscation of trust
as relief for the present topheav,
unequal condition of the natiol
have been drawn into support o
the Democratic party through thei
belief in Mr. Bryan's sincerity
He bridges great gulf. SO long
as the original conditions, tenden
cies and opportunities of the Re
public existed there was no sign.
of socialism to be seen. Mr.. Brv
ans rise into national power is the
last protest of old fashioned cont.
mental Americanism against tn,
new order of things represented by
Mckinleyism, trusts and imperial
ism.
Much as personally dislike and
distrust the free silver idea, an
compelled by force of facts to re-
cbgnize in Mr.. Bryan really great
man, a stubborn and uncompromis-
ing champion of mistaken fnan-
cial policy, but a statesman and pa
triOt who loves and believes in the
plain people. Much has been written
and said about Mr.. Bryan's failure
to make q national name and a
great fortune as lawyer, but it
must be remembered that he was
only twenty-three years old when
he was admitted to the bar in q
small Illinois town, and that he
gave up the practice of law seven
years later and entered upon a pol
itical career-yet twice during that
period he made himself self-suport-
ing, once in Jackson and again
after his removal to Lincoln. Be
sides that he declined to accept
salary of ten thousand dollars
year from the Standard Oil Com
pany, .preferring to live more econ
omicAly and fight against the
abuses of such overgrown corpora
tiOns.
He has a much more solid record
as lawyer and business man than
President Mckinley. For one thing,
no man has ever been called upon
to pay his debts, and l personally
know that he has helped many
an unfortunate friend out of his
troubles.
Another fact about Mr.. Bryan
has become known since 1S96-he
cannot be used by other men-he
is not weak or invertebrate. He
is the master rather than the SER
want of those who surround him.
1t was said in the last campaign that
if this uniformed, inexperienced
youth from the prairies Of Nebras-
ka should be seated in the White
House his every act would be dicta-
ted by cranks and fanatics. But to-
lay the whole nation can witness
IN every part of the country the
evidences Of this mans indomit-
sble will and unconquerable cour-
.ge.
l am quite sure that if the
next Democratic National platform
should fail to meet his convictions
le would decline to be the Demo-
'ratic candidate, although he would
vote the Democratic ticket.
My own judgment is that he will
nave no rival in the National Con-
and will be nominated by
reclamation. 1t is too soon to ex-
'ress a positive opinion regarding
lis chances of election. But |
should say that he is much more
popular than when he was last
and that if the con-
est is to be between Mr.. Mckinley
md Mr.. Bryan the present prospect
avors Mr.. Bryan's election.
It is long look ahead, but at
he same stage of events preceding
he last national conventions sue
eeded in demonstrating to my own
abstraction, at least, Mr.. McKin-
ey's nomination and election, and
do not fear to make a prediction
ow, with all the reserve arising !
rom the fact that a prophet can !
ever hope to be as accurate as a i
historian. JAMES CREELMAN.