The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-01
TWO EASTERN WRITERS
ON CONVENTION TOPICS.
Representative Amos J. Cummings Petuesquey Describes
the Preliminary Scenes - James Creelman Admir-
ingly Portrays Bryan's Unselfish Craftsmanship.

Lincoln. Neb.. June 3o-James Creelman
tonight sends the following dispatch to the
New York Journal:
Never have Mr.. Bryan's rugged qualities
as leader and statesman stood out more
strikingly than they do at this moment.
He refuses 10 yield a single principle for
the sake of votes. He does not care to be
President of the United States unless he
can do something TO give the Philippines u
chance TO celebrate the Fourth of July, re-
store bimetailism, destroy private monopo-
lists, check 5nilltarism, put an end to COLO
NAL adventures. and carry out the reforms
to which the Democratic party IS pledged
by duty and sentiment.
1t is good TO be an American citizen and
! to be here in Lincoln where the Declaration
of Independence is not out of date.
-Four years ago ! was In Bryan's house
when he acknowledged defeat and sent n
chivalrous telegram Of congratulatian to
Mr.. Mckinley. He was as serene and con-
iident then as he was to-day when l walked
about his farm with him.
He is the same digniicd. unassuming.
patriotic American, full of love for the in
stitutions of his country. ard full of conf
dence IN the ability Of the people to main
tain the Republic against Imperialism and
trusts. He shows 70 sign of excitement or
fatigue. Although his nomination is only
five days distant. he goes about attending
turbed by the clamors OF the press or the
politicians
No man can be with him here without
understanding that Mr.. Bryan cares nothing
for the office of President. save as n means
to serve the great cause to which he has
devoted his life, the restoration OF the Gov
crnment to the hands of the people.
II is useless for political bosses to come
here in the hope of effectinS compromises
The politicians who have come to Lincoln
have left the Democratic leader as they
found hir-unmoved by sophistry or derla-
gogism.
He is hourly urged by letter, by telegram
and by personal argument to agree to the
omission of a specific declaration in favor
CT free silver from the platform. to abandon
the idea of ultimate independence for the
philippines, to adopt this idea, to modify
that one. But to all he says to-day what
he has said consistently in public and In
private-that he does not care to be nomi-
mated unless he can stand on a platform
without false pretense. ambiguity or eva
sion.
He will not abandon a cause for which
SIX and half million citizens voted
four years ago to gain the applause of
those who supported Mr.. Mckinley and are
responsible for the present reign of corrup
ton. trust domination and imperia ism.
No Dfctation or Compromise.
No language can be too strong to EXPRESS
Mr.. Bryan's determination not to follow
the example of political shame set by Mr.
Mckinley. If the Democratic party in its
National Convention chooses to surrender
to those who supported the trusts and syn
dicates in 1896. 1t will have to find candi-
date for President who will indorse and de-
fend the compromise.
Mr.. BRYAN has no nj ne
to the Kansas City convention. He has de-
clared his convictions and his policy touch
ing every political issue now before the
American people. and he will refuse to sell
them: even though the price may be the
presidency.
1 am confident that he could surrender
the nomination which awaits him In Kan
sas City more easily and with less-much
iess-regret than he could betray the mil
lions who have trusted him
NO ooss dominates him. No combination
OF trusts can force him 30 eat his words II
any OF the Democratic leaders or any of
the Democratic bosses come to Lincoln In
the hope Of relaxing his conscience nv
pointing out devious paths to the White
rouse they will be disappointed,
MT. Bryan Is not demagogue He does
ngI know now to shift with every changing
The Bryan of To-Day.
AS he moved about to-day among his
growing fields, with the wind blowing up
the rim of his hat from his strong face.
he looked like captain of the soil. the
embodiment OF strength and courage and
hope. 'l''
The horse that bore him at the head Of
MS regiment during the Spanish War
carries him to and from his farm. He does
not use his soldiers coat as an advertise
ment. He is plain civilian, busy with the
plain problems OF his country.
When the war broke out he offered his
services to the President who defeated
MIN He raised regiment, and obeved
the orders of his former political rival.
he served his country as an officer I'M
III the war was over. Mr.. BRYAN was In
the military service almost as long as Gov
ernor Roosevelt, but he makes no cheap
appeal to the people for votes on tho
ground that he has been a soldier. He does
not try to stir up in America a love of
war for wars sake. He does not care to
stand as the representative of force but
rather as the champion of justice and equal
opportunities for all
This Is Mr.. Bryan to-day He would re-
gard a victory at the polls in November
as an empty honor, unless 1t carried with
1t the moral right to enforce every policy
In which he believes.