The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-23
Juggling with Lincoln's Name.

Juggling with Lincoln's Name.
To the veterans of the war Of the re-
bellion and those who were IN touch
with political AFFAIRS from 1861 to 1886
II must AFFORD some amusement to OBJ
serve how the forces opposed TO the
Republican party call upon the name Of
Lincoln. Since the fake question Of i'm
periaiism WINS brought forward as the
only issue upon which the new Democ-
racy felt II could wage anything like an
aggressive campaign. the references to
the great war president are daily be-
coming more frequent. The Bryanite
orators are calling upon the people 10
save the. country from the dangers OF
empire. and to restore what they are
pleased to term the government Of JEFF
ferson. Jackson and Lincoln. and chief
among those who are paying tribute to
the first Republican executive Is Mr..
Bryan himself.
This professed generation for the
name OF Lincoln in the present cam
paisn 10 about as ridiculous as 1t is in
sincere. Mr.. Bryan Is perhaps the last
man In the country who would speak
well OF Lincoln were II not for the fact
that he finds II we'll TO DO so as mat
ter Of political expediency. This Ii quite
natural. for he was brought UP among
rksa h.lA
esteem IMAGINABLE. Bryan's earliest rec
objections OF politics are Of semi-secret
gatherings around his fathers flreside.
where Lincoln was held up for ridicule
and abuse, and plans were formed to DO
all that was possible to thwart the pres
ident in his work of saving the union.
Judge Bryan. the father of the present
Democratic candidate for the presl-
dency. was prominent member of the
notorious Knights OF the Golden circle.
one OF the disloyal organizations OF the
north. and during the entire period OF
the war was one Of the most active In
breeding discord In the rear and hold
inE Abraham Lincoln up as an object
for contempt, In this trcasonable at.
mosphere William jennings Bryan was
reared. and ~ there was one thing more
than another impressed upon his Young
mind u was that Lincoln was the great.
est hnase unhung
A a matter Of fact Lincoln at that
time was charged with doing lust what
William Jennings bryan now SAYS wm-
lam Mckinley and the Republican party
are guilty OF when John a. Logan
during the war returned fram tho front
and delivered campaign speech IN hla
old congressional district where the
Bryans lived and where Logan had
been an active Democrat. the elder
lsryan refused To attend the meeting.
saying tina, ne would not listen 10 any
ssnlssary 81 Abe Ilncoln preach the doc.
srine 81 tyranny l. IL any wonder that
the ehildrea 81 q household with such
head should have formed an apln-
ion Of Lincoln that time could never
changer
when the pemNcratlc candidate IN
his assault upon the policy ~ imperial
lsm. " as he calls q. would stir his hear
ofs ny making use 81 the name Of I'm
ooin. u might 10 we'll for them d ask
how much sincerity there can be IN an
exhortatsoa by enc whose early teach
ing and trasnlag was received AZ the
hands OF the most ardent I.lneoIa hatsrs
IN Illinois, and Who since he reached his
majority has been bitterly opposing the
party which Lincoln helped 70 form and
THE Policies Witch he with other lead.
prs determined. they may Won ask
why a man who has been talking stead.
fly snd almost without interruption Tor
ten years without calling attention To
L'neein's splendid qualities has sud
Geaiy formed ar admiration SO pro
found for the great character his father
always denounced ia unmeasurcd
terms.