The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-07-16
The ReinCarnatiOn of William J. Bryan.

IN tne mousse were fetlreu TO private
life. 1t was thought this was the end
of his career; but a movement was in
augurated almost Immediately to run
him for governor of Chic, and he was
elected. There was nothing marked
about his administration; but his candi-
dacy for president captured his party,
and he was elected by an overwhelming
majority. President Mckinley was a
most estimable gentleman, and he made
an excellent president; but nobody
would have dreamed that the man who
lost his seat in congress would in few
years become the universally hsnored
president of the United States.
In 1S96-the year of McKinley's cleo
tion-a young man went to the Chicago
convention from Nebraska as contest
ing delegate. He had been q newspaper
man, lawyer and politician, He
was in no sense of the word recognize
ed leader of his party. He was known
az a gifted orator, and his lectures on
the free coinage of silver had attracted
some attention. But even as free sill
yer advocate he was not nearly so we'll
known as Mr.. Harvey, the author of
that ingenious and plausible book
Coins Financial School,"
Mr.. Bryan's contest was successful,
and he was seated as a delegate. On
this fact hinged one of the most sur
prising careers in American politics.
Had the contest gone against him, he
would have had no opportunity to de-
liver the speech that captured the con-
vention and turned situation of grave
doubt and uncertainty into one OF
triumphant assurance. The Chicago
convention was like an ocean storm.
The avowed candidates for the nomina.
ton had been received with but little
interest. Bryan touched off the latent
emotion of the convention and was
nominated in whirlwind OF enthusi
asm.
He was lifted in a single day from
obscurity to the leadership of his party
The man who thus became public prop
erty has in a personal sense fully JUST
fed the estimate of his party placed
upon him when it named him for presi
dent twelve years ago. Many of thu
leaders of his own party have differed
with him on some of his views regard
ing public questions. His opponents
have accused him of holding unsount
opinions, of being an anarchist and al
iconoclast; but the man Bryan ha
never ceased to be regarded by people
of all manner of polical belief as maj
of honor, of great ability and untaintet
character.
He was badly defeated for presiden
in 1896. He lost nearly all the western
states, as well as those of the north ant
east. Prophetic voices declared tina
there was no future for him. 1t wa
said that an immature man had beer
given whirl at the presidency; he hat
had his chance; he had failed disas
trously, and there was an end of him.
| During the first four years of iii,
Mckinley administration Mr.. Bryan
good naturally accepted his defeat, ant
earned handsome income as writeI
and lecturer. He had impressed hi
personality so deeply upon the con
seriousness of the Democratic party tina
in 1900, instead of being consigned tx
oblivion, he was renominated by accla
nation. He was then the absolute
master of the democratic party. An
other defeat followed; but Mr.. Bryan
did not lose his hold upon the esteem
of the democracy. -Four years ago h'
decided not to be a candidate before
the st. Louis convention, and there
was some dissatisfaction with him a
that time among the leaders. But dur
ing the last four years he has grown
immeasurely in public esteem. Mr.
Roosevelt has done some of the very
things that conversative people feared
Bryan would do if he became president
Instead of being regarded as q wide
eyed radical, Mr.. Bryan is now consid
cred man of by no means incorporate
opinions. In making his trip around
the world he was accorded series o.
ovations. Europe was charmed will
his candor and entranced by the grace
of his oratory.
Judge Parker's emphatic defeat il
1904 had bewildered the democratic
party, and once more the eyes of thu
people turned toward Bryan. Many o
those who had formerly fought him be
gan to think kindly of him. Certain
tendencies were apparent in the repub
lican party that caused widespread
alarm. The constitution of the United
States has evoked republican sneers
Thegovernment has been drifting ava!
from the old mornings. There can b.
no doubt that the times we're ripe for
restoration of democracy.
Then came another surprise in poll
tics. The man who had suffered tw,
great defeats, and who four years ag'
: tried to prevent the nomination o
= Judge Parker, was called again to b
the leader of his party. No other can
didacy seems to have been very seri