The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-23
Mr.. BRYAN In RALEIGH.

The people of Raleigh were glad for the
VIM. j. Bryan who spent Sunday and
Monday in the capital Coming as a
private citizen, visiting personal friends,
and lecturing upon a theme worthy of the
pulpit, he has received as cordial wei
come as when he came among us the
standard bearer of a great party. His
visit had no political significance. To his
friends he was, as always. free in the ex-
pressions of his convictions upon questions
of public policy, but the influence of his
addresses will be long felt as force for
civic righteousness. Without cant, he
stands forth as great apostle of national
and political honor. His address before
a great address upon the greatest theme
that has ever engaged the attention Of man
His brief speech to the pupils of the A.
and NJ. College at their dinner yesterday,
was as wholesome and uplifting as 1t was
eloquent At the Metropolitan Hall last
night to packed house, Mr.. Bryan spoke
on 1.-The Value of an IDEAL 1t was
mighty arraignment of the prevalent de-
sire to get something for nothing, of the
speculative gambling that curses our coun-
try more to day than ever in its history,
of the political dishonesty and money wor-
ship that assail our national and individual
integrity. But it was more than that.
1t was the voice of patriot who loves
his country. appealing to the manhood OF
the country, to square their conduct and
their views by the highest ideals. The
warnings and admonitions were enriched
by illustration and by anecdote and by an
eloquence as simple and unstudied as it
was inspiring and noble. There was not
There was an honest presentation Of ex-
listing and threatening evils, there was a
plain denunciation Of wrong In public
and private life, there was criticism of
policies that are inimical to the welfare
of the individual and the country. But
there was throughout a spirit of faith in
the people, of optimism, of hope. of con-
fidence that the American people would be
worthy of their flag and of their destiny.
No man could hear that patriotic address
without a genuine longing to be better
citizen. The addresses of Mr.. Bryan are
doing more to arouse the moral conscience
of the Republic to the evils of CONNER
cialism and political trimming than any
other single force in America. Our bust
ness and political life are too largely
shaped by policies that look merely for
personal gain or personal preferment
The need OF the hour is a moral awaken
ing that will make men choose lofty ideals,
and be true to them in success or in fail
ure. victory or in defeat. Mr.. Bryan's
personal example, his sincerity. his cour-
age, and his independence, his own devo-
ton to the highest ideals in his public and
private life add such emphasis to his
eloquent appeals for higher ideals as pow
erfuly to impress all who are fortunate
enough to hear him. In all our history
we have had no honester man. no man
more devoted to his high ideals. North
Carolina honors him and feels honored
always to welcome him into her borders.
He is the first apostle of Civic Righteous
ness among us-a vtiee crying for moral
uprightness in the very day of CONNER
ciahsm and graft.