The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-08-04

The political situation has greatly changed
since 1896. Mr. Bryan was then young
man lust entered upon mis- Ihirty-slNth year.
He was unknown to the country, except
through his flights Of oratory, and the plat
form npon which he was nominated contained
Same doctrines that were new to the people
of the East. By many Mr. Bryan was re-
qarded as young man, with not suhe'eh'
experiepce TO be at the head of affairs, ana the
chief issue he thrust forward was considered
subversive Of financial stability and threaten
inc ia business He made wonderful canvas
however. and with little financial aid and
with large part of his party IN open revolt
ak and a MALT millions of voters rallied to ms
standard Mr.. Bryan, in the memorable cant
paien he made: in the brilliant aud able man
nor in which he laid the issue before the peo-
rle showed that he was a thinker. and not a
mere orator. who knew how 10 caphvate ms
audiences with enhancing phrases. lis ora
tory was superb. it is true. bnt he put before
The people many solid facts aud sound reA.
soning. Ii will be remembered, too. that the
o,nos;tiou did not undertake 10 reiute his
arguments. They did not put principle
against principle, facts against facts and '"s'e
against logic. A wild aud unreasoHmg howl
was set up about financial heresy, national
disbonor. reputation and anarchy. sian
nede was started among the business world
salaried men were panic stricken aud labor
was frightened for fear Of "a decrease ~ the
purchasing power Of wages. The most q
gantie campaign and corruption fund ever
raised supplemented all this Juror, aud yet
Mr.. BRYAN polled nearly half the votes Of The
people and received l76 electoral votes
Since 1896 Mr. Bryan has become better
known. In camer moments the people have
pansed 10 consider the merits OF tins yonug
leader from the West They have found him
strong Of intellect, patriotic and honest A
has been well said, they found that Bryan has
the wisdom and patriotism OF Washington and
the stern convictions and courage OF jackson
compiled with the eloquence OF Webster aud
charming personality. In the intervening
time since 1896 Mr.. Bryan has WOE The re-
speet and admiration of thousands that Ned
from him four years ago The moneFed
classes. the manufacturers. the business men
and the toilers no longer regard han with
distrust: no longer charge him with purpose
to plunge the country into financial aud bust
ness disaster; no longer beidye that be IS nn.
safe and dangerous Men who were heavy
contributors to the Mckinley campaign fund,
are now with him. Many Independent papers
that were most severe upon him are now sup.
porting him. Prominent Republicans, ~h"
took the stump against him, are now writing
or speaking for him The pendulum that
swung away from him IN 1896 Is nov SWING
ing toward hun lie l. growing 80 strength
daily and the indications point To an over
wheIming victory-in November.
Not only has Mr.. Bryan grown in PabI'e
esteem aud regard, but the issues have
changed. Imperialism and miIitarlsm stand
as the paramount questions Of the day' aud
nearly of equal importance IS that Of Trusts
Upon these issues Mr.. Bryan Is the natural
leader Of al who oppose the erection OF an
empire upon the ruins Of the republic aud
would restrain trusts from restricting compe-
tition and exacting exorbitan; profits from
the people. His whole life has been a battle
against special privileges and Tor the people
and his patriotism and abiding iaith IN "a re-
publican form Of government make him the
foremost champion in the contest Of Republic
VS.. Empire