The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-06-03
the REPUBLICAN,.
A REPUBLICANS
Opinion Of William Jennings
Bryan.

bryan.
A literary society of the East Florida
Seminary of GAINESVILLE, secured visit
| and speech from William Jennings
Sryan, who was on his way from the
christening of the baby republic, Cuba.
"And what do you think of Mr.. Bry-
an?" Better than some who will read
these lines. A thoughtful, kindly feel
ing man, Looking At the great comOn-
er," could not help being glad TO look
at him. IL would he fair To say that he
Is practically q perfect specimen OF
manhood. His fine charac cter Is also
as transparent As his fine manhood Is
evident.
l had heard that his father when
judge opened court with prayer.
In few minutes interview had with
himI asked him II this were true, and
he replied that his father prayed in his
family, and in opening court dropped
his head on the desk and prayed. 81
lently. This interview was before the
speech. l sat where / had q restful
view Of the speaker and it was no sur
prise to me as measured him up be-
side Mr.. Mckinley, whom l heard In
Steubenville, o.
MIR. Bryan.s text was, "Peace on
earth, good will toward men," His sub
ject was "a conquering nation" To
See Bryan 'fn your minds eye" as our
Prof. Brewer used to say at w. and J.
college, you must notice that he was
fresh from q scene in Havana on which
the future historian will ponder
awhile with care before he writes. Mr..
Bryan there saw the flag OF the Uuited
States lowered aud that of Cuba Libre
run up to replace it. That to the
lspeaker was the high water mark OF
our national honor and greatness. Fur
thermore, this TO him was the highest
ideal Of greatness, where nation mea.
sures itself by service done to another,
Father than by power exercised in ex.
acting service from another.
What theme could be higher, wha,
doctrine more Christlike? Mr.. Bryan
warned his audience that there might
: be some politics In his speech. II go
it was politics with party left out
There was no place for party politics
The mold that gave form to his addres.
of one and half hours, was that the
American flag hauled down was the
moblest act Of our national life. Hs
pressed the fact that we cared for ouI
honor and Cuba so much that we hauled
: down the flag, and thstnever before haG
we measured so high. There were
probably 1000 people in the audi
ence and many of these were the grad
yates and students OF the state school O
, this place. 1t was q fine opportunit,
, to press upon the people, especially tn,
, students and scholars, this doctrine o
. service to others as the measure o
= gr eatness, rather than power to wres
service from others.
l can think of no one to whom l cal
liken his manner, unless it be Wendell
Phillips in his lecture on the LOS
3 Arts" There was NO preaching. n
3 oratory as that word is understood. H
was simply a great professor, endeavor
y ing TO teach young America how q
attain to the highest order of citizen
3 ship. 10 the brief interview I ha,
: with him said to him that we coul
r not make him President encumbere
p with his unguarded 16 to l, and # b
g could get rid Of that he might yet b
President He thinks not.
It l have no hesitation in saying tina
q the speech was one of the best l eve
y heard. 1t did good. 1t will do goo
y wherever it may be heard.
vi 1t is evident that Mr.. Bryan consider
l. his chances for the White House
e closed incident, but he is q great an
k good man. His playful references Z
Is l6 to 1, instead of being offensive wer
:. simply delightful pleasantries. Their
d was no campaign shouting, but ther
was an absorbing attention which is
d better measure of speakers powe
Of than the hip, hip, hurrah."
81 1t seems to me that there are som
e important things to be learned fror
3. the Bryan episode in American histor,
Ie Mr.. Bryan has shown controlling il
fuence over his party which no othe
B. presidential candidate ever attempte
d or. dared attempt. Suppose Mr.. Lii
coin had, when first a candidate, il
e sisted on doubtful financial theory b,
e ing inserted in the platform of h
p party, and the resnlt of the electio
10 had showed the party out of sight o
= account of the dangerous fnanci,
10 theory or threat; think you that whe
ha should he apain nominafad an