The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-08-07


greatest statesman and orator now
living in this country. l am not in
politics-much now. If 1 live L shall
vote for some of the Democratic nomi-
nees in North Carolina, and for
Parker and Davis. l have no dislike
of Mathuselah pronounced Mathuso-
lah), but he is rather advanced il.
years for the second highest place,
however otherwise acceptable. Our
platform can be criticized in places,
and SO can every other similar docu-
ment ever drawn and published AS
to William Jennings Bryan l say sin
cerely and independently as my pro-
foundest conviction, that among
American politicians in 1904, he has
no rival. He is honest, he is capable
he is reliable, a statesman of an eXalt-
ed type, san peur ct sans reprOche.
l do not believe that more honora-
bic, more honest, a purer, a noblel
statesman ever appeared in the poll
teal arena of our country at any pc.
Rod. He is of high moral type
faithful member of the Presbyterian
church, a most Scrupulous a most
conscientious, most engaging a most
noble patriot. l believe that in my
soul, and for eight years he has COM
manded my best, trueSt, most faith
fur service, without reward the hope
OF reward, or the slightest desire of
reward. God bless William Jennings
Bryans is the sincere prayer of my lips
and soul. He was of course badly
treated by certain timerservers, flop
perS and SchemerS at st. Louis. But
l am glad that L saw in the CORE
spondence of several Northern news
papers, some never supporting him,
gracious and strong praise of the
greatest American orator. Not long
ago the leading British organ-the
London Times newspaper-said that
in all Great Britain there was but one
man to be named as an orator with
Mr. Bryan-Lord Roseberry That was
said after the distinguished American
mad made two or three addresses. He
is indeed, / have no doubt, the most
magnetic speaker who now employs
the English tongue. l wish l had pre-
served two or three of the articles in
Northern independent newspapers 1
read. L have before me one from
Indiana, but from a Democratic paper
The Indianapolis Sentinel, owned by
MI. Taggart, just appointed Chairman
OF the Democratic National Commit
tee, and to manage the campaign. 1t
says of the great man of the West:
''Of all men who took part in the
ST. Louis convention none did so more
splendidly than Mr.. Bryan. Earnest
and courageous to the end, fighting for
the things in which he believed, he
yet yielded to the supreme Democratic
principle that the majority must rule.
He went at least half way-aye, more
than that-to promote spirit of har-
mony which will lead to party success.
We believe it can be truthfully said
that in the eyes of the country today
he is greater than ever before. There
are many who look upon him as the
greatest living American. He is young
and he is growing. With his wide
lnnyNln6Dp nf a i
ties as q debater. his magnificent ora
tory and his lovable personality, it
seems sure that there must be much
in store for him. AS the central figure
of the great convention he knows in
what regard he is held by his fellow
partisans the country over"
There is no exaggeration in any part
of that article. The Bennettsville, (S.
Co Advocate, replying to the Charles"
ton News and Courier goldbug pa
per that loves to hate so pure and eX-
allied a statesman as Mr.. Bryan-has
this:
''The News and Courier says that
Wv. j. Bryan was the SorrieSt figure in
the National Democratic Convention.
Those who were there and most of
those who read the accounts of the
proceedings look upon Mr.. Bryan as
one of the greatest and nobleSt char
acterS, not only in that convention,
but in American life today. Like the
South in her memorable conflict for
States-rights. he made heroic fight
against tremendous odds. He goes
down in history as the apostle of q
lest cause, but his was a noble fight.
He never yielded principle to policy.
After he was overwhelmed by NUNS
bers and saw the futility, but not the
injustice, of his cause, like the Con-
federate soldier, he became a loyal
member of a reunited party and
hic nnrt no -nr16 n
mires a man who fights to the bitter
end for his conceptions of right-and
no more illustrious example can be
found in modern politics than w. j.
Bryan
| take leave to copy these two ex.
tracts because they so aptly reflect my
own views, and because 1 wish to hon.
or the one American politician.I es-
teem trust and follow more readily
and satisfyingly above and beyond all
men now having their little day in
the political field. A country compos-
ed of organs would be dear and glo-
rious country to live in. He is worthy
of any good and loyal mans admira-
ton and esteem.
"I've learned to prize the quiet light
ming deed,
Not the applauding thunder at it's
heels
Which men call fame"
Study Roosevelt, his career and ca
pers, then turn to a calm, self-poised,
broad based, noble statesman like
Bryan, and behold the contrast.
What constitutes a State?" asked
that profound author, Sir William
Jones, writing of patriotism" The
answer in part may be found in a few
words: Men, high minded MEN,
He adds:
"Men, who their duties know.
But know their Rights, and knowing
dare maintain"
He adds-"These constitute State"
/ read an excellent article on Mr.
Fryan taken from another Southern
paper, the Norfolk 'Virginian-P Pilot"
l believe. one of the ablest and most
reliable of Southern dailies and / re.
jciced that there were men in the
South who properly appreciated the
great merits of the great statesman.
and had the courage of honest convic-