Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-24

the mercy of predatory wealth; where-
ever good impulses dominate the con
duct of men, there is a 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 so standards represented in that
convention, from every land over
which the flag floats, Hooked around
the standard of Nebraska that had
offered to the nation the services OF
it's most distinguished adopted son.
1t was the greatest gathering OF rep
resentative 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 his delegates 1t is true
he had no federal Office holders to
make a show of force and enthusiasm.
1t is true he had no administration
behind him to threaten and lntlml-
date, but he swayed that convention
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. 1t ought
/ to show to the world that it appre-
ciates a great man when it has one.
! 1t ought to recognize merit when it
is so palpably apparent. 1t now has a
chance to recognize its greatest pro-
duction, and the world is looking on
to see if it will be equal to the emer'
gency.
| Is not the fact that every state want
ed Bryan nominated sufficient to JUS
| tify his election? Is not the fact that
mo state wanted Taft nominated sufii
cient to justify his defeat? Do the
people want man who stands upon
his own merit, or do they want an
echo of another? Have We reached
the stage of degeneracy where We, q
sovereign people, will permit presi
dent to name his successor, or have
we retained enough vitality to assert
our right of free choice? These ques
tons are big with interest and de
mand an answer in this campaign.
OF course, Mr. Bryan cannot please
everybody Lincoln had bitter enc
mics. Washington was abused b!
foes. No man who does something
for his fellows can expect to escape
| Of hn
in heart. Bryan has been the victim
of more abuse than any man now liv
ing, and. paradoXical as it may seem
he is the most beloved. He has ;
world grasp on affairs of state.
clearly defined policy on all problem
of discretion, and il the American pee
pie do not elect him to the office o
president the loss will be irreparable
1t will not be his loss, but theirs
Bryan has Survived two defeats an,
is greater today because of them. H
can survive another or dozen; bu
it is doubtful whether the republi
can fare as well.
, Prejudice Again Defeated Him.
) When the hot blast of prejudic
) dries UP the brain of its victim a
5 oasis becomes a desert. Nothing cal
{ grow in territory so afflicted. Prejr
, dice defeated Bryan before. will it d
, so again? 1t is the fate of good me
: to be misunderstood. Bad men ar
: sometimes forgiven, but good men pa
r the penalty. This is wrong, but it
E true. Mr.. Bryan has paid the penalt
of goodness. Because he was as tru
5 as the needle to the pole he was HI
\ inflated. Because he was faithful t
+ the cause of the people he was d.
Q feated. Because he would do som,
s thing for his fellow man he was d,
S MED the opportunity. Because
Q Stands four squares to all the wind
: that blow he is accused of shiftin:
e Because he is as infiexible as fat
4 he is called a radical Because he
V absolutely just he is branded as dan
f gerous.
j. The facts are that Mr.. Bryan ha
s in him the material for the create:
|. president this nation has ever seel
v He has the capacity for illuminatin
the history of this country as no othe
s man has ever illuminated it. His dal
3 ge- lies in his goodness and his grea
# ness. He is therefore made the shi
!. ing mark for the corrupt and DANCE
O Gus and the envy of the small an
s mean. God grant that the bette
g thought, the better conscience, the be
e ter impulses of our people may Il
s umph in the election soon to CON
q and that Bryan shall be exalted an
r. tic nation glorified.
/, What Are Your Boys and Girls Rea