Democratic messenger., 1908-10-31
WHY BRYAN SHOULD BE
ELECTED.

than powder ana Dali. lie mas more
confidence in righteousness than he has
in armies and navies, and yet he be-
human rights are ut stake and peaceful
methods fail. He is not only a teacher
by precept, but he is a teacher by ex-
ample. He asks no man to be better
than he can. but he expects every man
to render to society the best returns of
which he is capable, and he. himself,
sets an example it would be well to fol-
low.
The election of Mr.. Bryan is demand
ed by every state in this Union. Where
ever men are endowed with sympathy
wherever the weak are oppressed :
wherever men toll without just recon-
pense wherever business is suffering
the unjust competition of the trust /;
wherever legitimate trade is at the
mercy of predatory wealth wherever
good impulses dominate the conduct of
men. there is demand FOR the election
of William Jennings Bryan.
This fact was apparent at the recent
great national convention of the Demo
cratic party at Denver Forty-five of
the fifty standards represented in that
convention. from every land over which
the flag floats, flocked around the stand
ard of Nebraska that had offered to the
nation the services of her most dis
tinguished adopted son. 1t was the
greatest gathering Of representative
men in the entire history of the party.
1t is true the Nebraskan had nothing to
give them 1t is true that he had no
big stick to compel the support of the
delegates. 1t is true he had no federal
Office holders to make a show of force
and enthusiasm. II is true he had no
administration behind hlm to threaten
and intimidate, but he swayed that con.
vention from his home at Lincoln. and
the two demonstrations of over one
hour each were the vocal expressions
of the love and devotion and fidelity of
the common people who had heard
him gladly.
What is the use to talk of another
man for president In all that is good
America deserves the best. She ought
to show to the world that she apprec-
ates great man when she has one.
She ought to recognize merit when it
is so palpably apparent. She now has
chance to recognize her greatest pro-
duction. and the world is looking on to
see if she will be equal to the emer-
gency.
Is not the fact that every state want
ed Bryan nominated sufficient to justify
his election Is not the fact that no
state wanted Taft nominated sufficient
to justify his defeat? Do the people
want man who stands upon his own
merit or do they want an echo of an
other? Have we reached the stage of
degeneracy where we. sovereign peo-
pie, will permit president to name his
successor, or have we retained enough
vitality to assert our right of free
choice These questions are big with
interest and demand an answer in this
campaign.
OF course, Mr. Bryan cannot please
everybody. Lincoln had bitter enemies.
Washington was abused by foes. No
man who does something for his fellows
can expect to escape the censure of
the jealous and corrupt in heart. Bry-
an has been the victim Of more abuse
than any man now living, and, para
doxical as it may seem. he is the most
beloved. He has world grasp on af-
fairs Of state, a clearly defined policy
on all problems Of discretion. and il the
American people do not elect him to the
office Of president the loss will be ir-
reparable It will not be his loss. but
theirs. Bryan has survived two defeats
and is greater today because of them.
The facts are that Mr. Bryan has in
him the material for the greatest presi-
lent this nation has ever seen. He has the
for Illuminating the history of
this country as no other man has ever
it. His danger lies in his
goodness and his greatness. He is
therefore made the shining mark for
the corrupt and dangerous and the envy
of the small and mean. God grant that
the better thought. the better con-
science, the better impulses Of our peo-
pie may tritmph in the election soon to
come and that Bryan shall be exalted
md the nation glorified. The Hidweet-
,sn Nagaeins.