Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1900-12-28
6ssey County Arrala.
FRIpAY. DECEMBER -. 1900.
Lanartine.

plete aS 10 equal II not tNtt'l ]" N"'
ling developments and sudden reverseS
the fate of any other man of modern
times. For nearly 30 years he held in
his hand the deStinies of France. lie
published book called calculations"
that set the literary world ailame. lie
sprang into sudden popularity which Is
usually filled with shoals and quicksandS.
lie was for time the idol of his neo-
pie. His genius as poet and orator
was intuitive and spontaneous. but he
aspired to be a political chief and at
tanned and temporarily held that posi-
ton. lie contributed to a revolution
and in the hour of danger rallied round
him the hopes and aspirations OF his
people. But the nation saw its mistake
and the people united on anything to |
relieve them from what was mere !
hrilliancy aud genius, which although |
fascinating was without design, system.
arrangement or adaptation to the neceS-
sarilv hard conditions of politics. La
marines similtude has risen and gone
down in America. Not his equal, but a
man whose fate resembles Lamartine's
so far as the former had proceeded in
his career. by a brilliant speech filled
with silver Oratory and adorned with a
golden metaphor Bryan captured great
convention and for time became the
shining focus of Il great crowd of ad-
mirers. So universal and absorbing was
the light of his genius and the intensity
of the admiration bestowed ON him that
the great party to which his admirers
belonged (only in name howeyeD was
utterly powerless and he dictated to it
policy so manifestly ruinous to the
country that it compelled every con-
sentative element to 90 to the only other
organization there was. Lamartine in
poetry. literature and political ascend
ency was supreme for time. The
traits in which Bryan resembled him
were confined to politics. AS a politi-
elan and orator no one has spoken with
more power to the imagination of the
American people. No one has ever sue
ceeded in leaping by a single oratoricaI
effort from comparative obscurity to
universal recognition, from common life
up to the supreme dictatorship of the
great democratic party Of America,
What Lamartne's brilliant literary dash
did for him in the literary world Bryan's
speech did for him in the political. The
fine scintllating and attractive vein
which ran through Lamartine' pathway
extended with diminished intensity anc
variety along Bryan's. But each emit
ted wonderful flashes of genius. Boil
were equally incapable of design, sys
TEN or the construction of any princi
pie of humane government that would
secure the people i'll any lasting good
Lamartine was great along severa
prominent lines and temporarily success
full. Bryan was bright and luminous
imitation along one line but neve
achieved success. When the illusion
became manifest to the people of Franc,
every sentiment of patriotism as well a
of fear drove them to any position il
which they could oppose or destroy al
illusion which had so recently charmed
them. just so was it in respect t.
Bryan's last campaign. Many vote
for the prevailing candidate because the,
feared Organism and the many VIII
voted through fear are being daily SUI
prised by the number of others VIII
voted through the same motives. Whel
Lamartine fell those in power VIII
We're in harmony with the prevailing
sentiment conceived the idea that tn
downfall Of the temporary chief was
permanent vindicaton of themselve
and a permanent establishment of thei
power. Presuming on that they in
mediatelv commenced a vigorous prose
cution of their designs. But it was 500
manifest that much which had been i
opposition to Lamartine was mistake
for an endorsement of such designs an
many who had concealed their real COZ
ceptions in getting rid of the create
danger began to manifest themselves. |
this respect there seems to be a grea
similarity between the conditions +,
sulting from The defeat of the tw
men who we are comparing. The stron
men who are and have been opposed {
ruling people without their conser
and who were hushed to temporary $
lence through fear of Bryan's electo
are too numerous and prominent to II
quire mention. Now that Bryan is d,
feated and the enthusiasm and fear Ell
gendered by the campaign have subside
a good deal of land has come in sigh
Many members of the press who wei
fast to brand as traitors men, who il
stead of joining in the great rushing d
Election from the lines marked by col
stitutional restraints, but who asked I'll
nnnntru Ia cnnSidnr Observation-Disclosures q,