Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-06-22
NUMBER 46

worth trip across the continent to see
"the sage Of Lebanon quietly chew
ing his quid Of 'long green in the
presidential mansion, dressed in plain,
comfortable clothes such as are gener-
ally worn by Missouri farmers. But it
was not to be. Bland was the Moses of
the free silver hosts The great Ne
braskan is their Joshua History re-
peating ITSELF Bland was permitted to
look into but not to possess the prom
ised land. There can nowhere be found
a scintilla of evidence that he ever re-
gretted the result of the Chicago con-
vention. What he sought with a single
ness of mind rarely equaled, with a
fortitude never excelled, with self abb
negation that challenged admiration,
was not personal aggrandizement, but
the triumph of cause Having seen
his pet idea made the principal plank Of
his party's platform, he was content.
| have no doubt that the defeat Of
Bryan and that platform in November,
1895. had much TO do with his de-
clining health, for be had passed the
halcyon period of youth, when hope
springs eternal in the human breast.
In everything touching his charac-
ter Bland was particular even to fas-
tidiousness. When his Colorado admir-
ers presented him with silver service
so magnificent as to make ones mouth
water merely to look upon it, he de-
elined the gift with thanks, thereby
avoiding the very appearance Of evil:
but when, at the silver wedding Of
himself and wife, his Missouri col
leagues in house and senate, Democrats
and Republicans, presented them with
a handsome silver souvenir of their
affections he gladly and think proud
ly received it, as not even malice itself
could suggest sinister motive in that
transaction in either the givers or the
recipients.
BIand's First Campaign.
Looking at Mr. Bland serious face,
observing his sedate bearing, one would
never dream that there was a day when
be could trip the light fantastic toe
with the best of them but Colonel Jeff
Seay, who of late years has heen both
judge of the supreme court and govern
or of Oklahama, could a tale unfold
on that subject which would make the
natives stare if be would dive down
into his memories Of more than quar-
ter of century ago. In 1870 he was
pitted against Bland for congress in the
first race the latter ever made. Colonel,
Judge and Governor JEFF is as crafty as
Talleyrand. and shortly before the cleo
tioD he confded to his friends that he
had sDick beaten dead to rights, as all
the Bohemian vote had been captured. .
But Colonel Seay was just then count
ing his chickens before they were hatch
ed Mr.. Bland heard that the Bohe-
mians were going to have picnic in
some place far from the railroad and
telegraph on the Saturday before the
election. So he hied himself thither,
made them a speech before noon, par
ticipated in their basket dinner, and
when music rose with its voluptuous
swell, and eyes looked love to eyes which
spake again. the young statesman,
then in the flower of his years and still
a bachelor, danced with all the pretty
girls in way that won all hearts. aHss,
what was a good deal more TO the pur-
pose. won all the votes for miles around
That dance of victory sent Bland to
congress to enter upon that long career
which filed the world with his acclaim
and left Colonel Andrew Jefferson Seay
at home with bad case Of mulligrubs
It was pleasure to be guest in the
unpretentious house of the Blands in
Washington. The guest was made to
feel thoroughly at home by the genuine
hospitality. There peace. confidence,
virtue, elegance. abounded. There never
was fonder husband or tenderer IA
ther than Richard P. Bland. He was
amply repaid by the unfailing love and
devotion of his wife and children.