The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-06
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There is a striking difference between
the campaign of 1886 and this one, which
nobody seems to have noted as yet. In
! the last campaign the fame OF Bryan was
mainly that of an orator. His ability as
a statesman and as a leader was. in the
opinions of the cautions, improved. He
did much hard work in the making of
speeches, and by his persistent advocacy
of free silver made the campaign really
one of education. All this time the Re-
publicans were pattipg themselves On the
head and back because their candidate
was sitting on his front porch at Canton
and letting glory come to him and whit
tie on his front fence and wear ont his
grass. But this year II is different.
The two orators who are making fame
for themselves in this campaign are both
Republican, and neither one of them is
Mr.. Mckinley. The orators of 1900 are
Marcus Alonzo Hanna and Theodore
Roosevelt
Three or four months ago Mr. Hanna
was heard to express the opinion that
Roosevelt needed instruction in speech
making That was before 1t was supposed
of the nomination for Vice President.
When Roosevelt was actually nominated.
Mr.. Hanna, holding the foregoing opinion
of the candidates spell-binding ability,
seems to have concluded that something
would have to be done in the matter
at once. Therefore he packed Roosevelt
off to the far West, where population is
sparse, and himself took the contract Of
making speeches in the East. Thus far
his oratory and that OF Roosevelt have
been entirely satisfactory-to the Demo-
cratic leaders. II is currently believed
that II Mr.. Hanna makes many more
speeches in the Middle West every doubt
full State will give Bryan an overwhelm-
ing majority.
The peculiar faculty which Mr.. Hanna
show Of saying on all occasions precisely
what he should not is part of his general
makeup, and is phenomenon most inter-
esting to the psychologist. Most OF US are
acquainted with men Of very much the
same temperament as the Republican boss,
and OF ;he same influence in the commu-
nifty, in a small way, and the gift of tact
is generally unknown to them. They have
made their way In circumstances which do
not demand tactful dealing. and, following
law which never falls the unwanted and
unneeded quality has not been developed
in them. They fail to Judge others with
that intuitiye precision which comes OF
long observation OF human nature. They
have been observing the stock market and
men 10 them are not individuals, but ma
terial, property, chattels, pawns. When
they are suddenly placed in position
which demands thorough understanding of
the possibilities and tendencies OF human
nature they are about successful as a
chess player would be II he undertook to
play chess on the principles which are
suitable TO checkers. The utilitarian way
of estimating a man has its disadvantages,
because every man has far greater posi-
bilities in his character than the utili-
tartan perceives. All men are not headed
blindly toward the full dinner pail''-not
yet; and the average American does not
intend that the time shall come when that
will seem to him the only desirable thing
in life. He wants few luxuries-educa-
ton, good government, comfort in his
home, the possession of little property,
and the liberty to vote as he likes All
these things. apparently Mr.. Hanna ig
nores as motives for human action.
Meanwhile Bryan has been gaining in
luence because he appeals to the very
things which Hanna despises. 1t is not the
orator about whom the people are now
gathering; 1t is the man, who could accept