The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-07-10
William Jennings Bryan.

William Jennings Bryan.
SIR. nrysn's nomination by the Demo
cratic party yesterday was as much a
foregone conclusion as had been Mr.. Nc
KinIey's by the Republican party two
weeks ago. II was as rational. as logical
and. II possible, even more inevitable.
The Republican organization. thanks to
Mr.. Hanna's heroic methods. is we'll
nigh perfect. Il Is. In fact, a rIgidly con-
structed and smoothly running, II re-
morseless machine. operating with abso-
Lutte precision, II without human weak
ness or emotions Mckinley was nomi-
mated not because the party depended
wholly on his leadership, but rather be-
cause the members Of that p9rty, despite
its almost despotic discipline, love and
honor the man, believe in him, and are
fond Of him. UnquestiOnsbly he will re-
ceive Few hundred thousand more votes
than any other Republican candidate
would receive, but the fact remains that
the Controllable vote, the drilled and
regular vote Of the party could, under
the present management, be delivered 10
any candidate whatever. In Mr. BryaH's
case Il Is entirely different He is the one
Democrat alive who can develop the par
tvs utmost strength this year Not only
do Democrats give him their unreservad
respect and confidence; they now recog-
niZc his absolute honesty and his mag
nftTlrf nnCWlrNrfnu ina
as the leader all Is not harmony but with
out him the Democratic party would be an
incoherent and heterogeneous mob. He
does not, Ike Mr.. Mckinley, appeal to
the sentimental side of men. He does not,
again like his distinguished antagonist,
win personal affection. He is strenuous,
dominant compelling. He does not con-
suit or seek advice or lean upon another
He is a captain, commander, a law unto
himself
-Four years ago Re leaped from compare
tive obscurity to the leadership of party
which Mr.. Cleveland had practically
wrecked In the eyes of the country at
large he seemed an accident-the gro
tesque fruit of divided counsels; the prod
uct Of despair; the caprice of an idle and
a hopeless mood. He was young: his 20
ltical experience had been very brief;
his record limited al no special bTilliancy,
and his achievements warranted but very
modest expectation for the future. New
ertheess. lie magnetized ten thousand
men assembled in the Chicago convention
hall as. surely, no similar audience was
ever magne tiZed before and he did this
less by any gift of rhetoric or trick Of
eloquence than by the overwhelming PAS
sion OF his earnestness and the irresisti-
bic force of his convictions He was not
the evolution of a deep-laid scheme. He
was not the result OF carefully conJrived
conspiracy. He was the spontaneous
choice of every Democrat within hearing
Of his ringing words-within the inffu-
ence of his tremendous personality. The
astounding campaign which he conduct
ed subsequently has no parallel in the
chronicle Of American politics. Almost
unknown, backed by no party organiza-
ton worthy Of serious appraisement;
without money; abandoned by the Cleve-
sented; fighting against the most desper-
ate odds including the Democratic ad-
ministration and all its hirelngs and ben
eticiaries, this youthful stranger from the
far West brought out nearly a million
votes more than Mr.. Cleveland. with all
his Eastern millionaires behind him, had
been able 20 summon to the polls four
years before, and forced the Republican
party 10 levy on every Gad's Hill in the
land for its salvation
No one to-day affects to hold Mr.. Bryan
in contempt, NJ man at once intelligent
and honest ventures 10 dismiss him from
the equation of 1900 as a factor of small
consequences. Even the New York Sun.
perhaps the most ardent and eager Re
publican organ In the country, felt called
upon, some weeks ago. TO pay trinure 10
the mans consistency and courage. In
deed, Mr.. Bryan stands upon his own
feet perfect specimen OF physical. intel
lectusl. and moral strength. He is no
trimmer He does not so 10 the people for
assurance and encouragement. He draws
them TO him and he holds them Ly his
unaided power. His face reveals his char
acter. II is a face without softness and
equally without cruelty. II is the face Of
a man who does not yield, who cannot he
tempted or cajoled-the face of one who
believes absolutely in himself-the face
OF an enthusiast, a fanatic, If you viii.
but OF a leader and giant among men.