The Washington times., 1906-07-13
BRYAN and Roosevelt.

For ten years Mr.. Bryan has been
constantly before the people of the
lnited States as a Presidential
probability. He has been, by com
laon consent, and in no objection
BE sense, a professional presiden-
tial candidate. Everything he said
or did or wrote has been subjected
10 test in the crucible where Presi-
Dental fitness is tried.
Mr.. Bryan has not forced himself
upon the people as Presidential
factor. 1t is simply that the peo-
PIE have accorded him recognition
as intellectual leader and spokes-
man of a great body of sentiment
of his fellow-citizens. Under the
white light of constant observation,
and in the white heat of most
searching analysis, he has proved
himself. He has reached a plane
un which few Americans have stood,
and fewer vet have been able to
maintain themselves. He is recog-
nized as honest in purpose, as am
bilious for the common good rather
than for his own advancement.
People no longer demand that his
views on details shall agree with
their own. They concede to him
great freedom and range of view;
they permit him TO be something
Of the doctrinaire; they do not eX-
peet him TO trim to the issue and
the hour; they have long since
placed him above the mere poll
tician.
There is another American TO
whom this same proud position is
accorded; who is accepted for what
he is even more than for what he
thinks; who is permitted the luxury
of saying what he thinks without
frightening people who don't think
the same. That man, needless u
say, is Theodore Roosevelt.
These two men are the dominating
Americans of today. Neither is
merely the leader of a political
party; both are much more
Academic discussion is not often
permitted 10 men responsible fer
formulation of policies of national
concern; yet Mr.. Roosevelt can start
the discussion of a progressive in
heritance tax. and Mr.. Bryan is
able to open up consideration of
public ownership of railroads, and
nobody thinks the worse Of either.
These two men know their
strength with The people, they feel
that their purposes entitle them TO
the confidence they enjoy. and they
both know, as the mere politician
never learns, that the public mind
is alert and ready for consideration
of new things.
The man with an idea doesn't
frighten anybody nowadays. Pco-
pie are anxious to hear il, to dis
cuss il. Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr..
bryan have way of supplying the
people with interesting things TO
.hink and talk about; and the peo-
pie permit them TO do IL without
ever suspecting that their fertility
may become dangerous.
Mr.. Bryan didn't need to announce
Nat he is no conservative, as con-
arYatism IS defined by the trust
promoters. Neither did he need to
lnounce that he is a conservative
IA the sense of conserving ns6tu-
tons and opportunity. The two
men are of the same type of mind.
.-sther can have the cheerful sum
'rt of a majority of the people.
J. is really a question Of programs.
nd the two years yet to elapse be-
fore Presidential nominations must
ave a great influence in determin-
g these. Some issues will be elm
mated; others viii be developed. 1t
Il he a difficult choice for MANY
+ ople TO make between these two
en-; but, at least. in choosing there
"il be little Of the feeling that il
j. a choice between evils.