The Washington herald., 1908-06-21
BRYAN NOT A SECOND CLAY
Nebraskan's Career Not to Be Com.
pared with Great Leader Of Wings,
Kentuckian Several Times Cnndi-
date for the Presidency, but Held
Many Important Public offices.
From the New York Sun.

From the New York sun.
An assertion by Prof Henry James
Ford. Of Johns Hopkins University. in m
article In Worlds Work, that If the Dem
ocratic party nomnates William J. Bryan
again "he will be- the only man who has
ever been nominated after being twice de-
feated" is challenged by Mr.. :. r. Petten-
gill, jr., Of Mldlebury University. In "a
letter Mr.. Petteugill points out that Hen
ry Clay was nominated three times for
the Presidency and three times defeated.
ON the third occasion reversing himself
ON the question of the annexation of Tex
as and losing TO Polk. although Clay re-
ceived almost MS many popular votes as
the Democratic candidate. Evidently Mr..
Bryan need not be discouraged" is the
conclusion of Mr.. Pettengill
The comparison Is not lattering 20 Clay
and it increases the wonder that Mr.. Bry-
an should be considered as a candidate
for the third time by the Democratic
party Henry Clay was four times a
member Of the United States Senate
twice by appointment and twice by cleo
ton. He was chosen Speaker Of the
House OF Representatives no less than
five times: as Secretary Of State In the
Cabinet OF President John quincy
Adams he negotiated treaties with Great
Britain. Prussia, Austria. and Denmark
he declined an offer to become Secretary
Of State in Gen. Harrison's Cabinet. and
during hts long career In Congress n
both houses. extending with rare anl
never prolonged intermissions from lS0
10 1851. he was so intimately associated
with the great measures Of the day, slav
erv. finance. and expansion among others
that the history Of the country for nearly
half a century could be written from
his speeches and letters At thirty-sever
/ he was a member OF the commission {,
negotiate peace with Great Britain. anC
with Adams and Gallatin arranged
treaty Of commerce at the same time
/ The famous compromise OF 1850 was in
spired and effected by Clay. and the ma
| tional conventions OF both parties ac
cepted il under the impression that 4
/ would settle the slavery question Henri
/ Clay was a leader OF the Whig party an,
several times its candidate for Presiden
! by virtue Of his commanding position az
la legislator, his comprehensive grasp %
public questions. his virile patriotism
his powers as an orator, ana MS aJlIdc
/ tive personal qualities.
How empty by comparison is Mr.. Bry
ans title 10 the leadership Of his part,
| to-day and bow slender his claim TO b
/ it's candidate for President third time
| In public Office his experience is limite,
/ 20 two forgotten terms in the House O
| Representatives. His personal canvas
for the United States Senate after
! second defeat for the Presidency was
! dismal failure. one Of the most humiliat
/ ing that ever befell any man. For pub
! lie affairs he has had no training wort
mentioning. and his executive ability &
an unknown quantity as an orator h
is more elocutionist than thinker; hi
/ speeches do not satisfy the test Of quota
ton. In an era Of demagogy his talent
as a ready talker have stood him in goo,
| stead. but he Is not an authority on an
subject and has originated no ideas il
/ economies or government. That Nj
| Bryan. after two signal defeats for tn
| Presidency. should be able 10 make tn
/ Democratic party take him seriously as
! candidate again when ne has nothin
/ but artculate utterance 10 his Credi
| surely ought not TO suggest a Compari
son with the career OF Henry Clay. who
: whatever his imperfections. was a pub
| tic man Of shining talents, unquestionabl
distinction. and some solid achievements