Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-08-25
THE REAL BRYAN.

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A Splendid Character Sketch Of the Leader Of
Democracy.
Chicago Daily News.
Mr.. Bryan stands out before the
American people in three quite distinct
characters. One Of these is the crea-
ton Of his opponents; another is the
ideal Of his supporters, the last is the
real character Of the man Of flesh and
blood.
| It was Mr.. Bryan's misfortune to be
so little known to the country at large
when first nominated. AS his real
character was in measure unknown
to both friends and foes, the field was
open for original creation. This oppor-
tunity was fully improved. Before the
close Of his first battle" he had be-
come to the former an ideal leader and
to the latter a promoter Of all that ts
dangerous and revolutionary. AL
though he has since been almost con-
stantly before the country, these op-
posing views are still widely held.
The loyal supporters Of Mr.. McKin-
ley and certain Of the gold Democrats
who were driven from their party four
years ago, look upon Mr.. Bryan, to
socialistic revolution and ruin in this
country" who, If made president, will
/ restore silver and sweep the black
flag of reputation and dishonor over
the whole country" -
The men who followed Mr.. Bryan to
defeat in 1896 look upon him as man
Of purest character, a leader Of match
less wisdom and indomitable courage,
whose name is finally to be enrolled
with the names of Washington, Jeffer-
son and Lincoln. To them 1t Is pre-
posterous that returning gold Demo-
Gratis and mugwumps, who oppose
what they regard Imperialism, should
presume to ask such a man to swerve
one iota from his inspired course. They
think it more fitting for intending pro-
digals to come to his support In sack
cloth and ashes.
The real Bryan Is neither q crazy
apostle Of anarchy nor paragon of
political wisdom. He Is man Of flesh
and blood, a man OF American birth
and training, and has personal knowl-
edge Of only American institutions and
ideals. AS a leader he Is subject to
mistakes and lacks that GOODNESS or
Judgment and tried experience which
count for 80 much with conservative
men. Indeed, ,it' Is not clear that he as
pires to the leadership Of those who re-
gard themselves as the conservative
classes, or some Of them, have man
aged to secure too great an influence
l. in a government which belongs to alI
and which should not be exploited to
create special privileges for any. Thus
: in his political philosophy the preten-
sions Of these classes to call to con-
troll the government for their own enos
form a part of the evils 10 De re-
| formed.
Mr.. Bryan, however his political pur-
NOSES NAV, now be regarded, has dis
tinctlv grown in popular esteem since
the campaign Of 1896 Constantly pc
fore the public, he has been heard py
vast audiences in all parts Of the coun-
try. Those VINO have composed MS
audiences, and the many others VINO
have read his frank utterances on pup
lie questions have come to nave entire
| faith in his downright and upright SIN
cerity of purpose. This view has found
| frank acknowl adgement among those
most opposed to the Chicago PLATFORM;
Thus Mr. Thomas B. Reed Is reported
to have said Of him last year IN an IN
terview: 1T is the mans great aDlllty
to rise to whatever occasion confronts
him that Is his most marked ana Vala-
able characteristic"
Mr.. Bourke Cochran was also report
ed to have said Of him last year IN an
interview: II do not believe that after
many years Of active participation In
politics and three years of leadership
| his moral nature has become colored
by even a shadow Of selfish motive, or
| that in order to be elected president to-
morrow he would consent to temporize
with his belief or evade the express
sion of it,"
The Chicago Times-Herald, in a re-
markable editorial tribute to Mr.. Bry-
an, published on July 6, 1899, said:
wherever he goes he meets with
manifestations Of an almost fanatical
personal loyalty. Very few American
politicians have been the objects or
such general or intense devotion.
What, then, will explain this extra
ordinary phenomenon? 1t may be re-
ferred to a combina ton of causes, each
potent in it's way. Mr.. Bryan has char
acter brilliancy, eloquence, and the ele-
ments are so mixed in him as to pro-
duce the best possible effect.
"Mr. Bryan is clean Of speech and
act. He has nothing to explain. He Is
honest in his convictions. What he
lacks most is a lively humor, and this
sometimes does a politician more harm
than good, as s. S. Cox used to confess
ruefully. Much as Americans enjoy a
Joke, they prefer serious men in high
places"
We do not now pass judgment on Mr..
Bryan's political principles. The point
here is that the real Bryan is a sincere
man, who may be mistaken, but Is not
dishonest. It will not do to assume
hat this man is "a demagogue at the
head of a mob" He is a leader of
character, force, courage and serious
purpose. Those who dissent from his
principles must treat him seriously.
Merely to cry socialist" anarchist"
or even traitor" will not dispose Of
him,