The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1908-06-02
knowledge and in bis truthfullness,

are 10 ne lcuuO upon the surface. when
the Pittsburg man said that his neighbors
listened to Mr. Bryan "ss men listen who
have confidence in their speaker, in his sin
certy and in his knowledge and in his
ruthiulness," he may have given the ans
wer TO his own question.
II, however, the Pittsburg writer yet finds
}; difficult 10 understand "what is the ex-
PLANTATION of Bryan" he might approach
the solution of the problem with with high
er hopes for results if he freed himself
from some of the newspaper made miscon-
ceptions concerning Mr.. Bryans career.
1t is hardly fair to say that when Mr. BRYAN
was nominated for the presidency IN 1896,
"he was an obscure lawyer and writer"
Six years before his nomination for the
presidency he had been nominated by the
democrats as a candidate for congress i'm
what seemed TO be hoplessly republican
district. la 1883 the republican candidate
had carried that district by large plural
lily. In 1890 Mr.. Bryan carried that dis
trict yb 500 plurality, although he had
populist opponent who received 1906
votes think it is admitted i'm Nebraska
that this result was largely due to the fact
that Mr.. Bryan and his opponent engaged
in Il Joint debate. While the republican
candidate was an able and resourceful law
yer and had committed himself TO some of
the reforms then growing in popular favor
Mr.. Bryan plainly won the honors in n c,e-
bate noted alike for its vigor and good hui
NOR. In 1892 MIR. Bryan was reelected,
although his congressional district had
been rearranged, leaving it composed large
IS OF republican counties. During his first
term, on March 10, 1892, Mr.. BRYAN made
his great tariff speech i'm the House of Rep.
reseniaiives. And on that occasion, as will
hereafter be shown by witnesses that NAV
not be said to be PARTISAN of the Nebraskin
b. became national figure. Those who
Lad the privilege of hearing that speech
will hot forget it; nor will they fail TO re-
member the stirring scenes enscted at it's
close. Bryan begsn his address at go o.
clock in the afternoon and closed at . 30.
Over the report ofthat speech the New
York World carried the following head
lines:
Bryan Io0ned Them All"
"Nebrsska's Young Congressman Scores
"A Triumph in the House.
His maiden Speech Brilliant Plea for
Tariff Reform"
"Mr. Raines, of New York, and Messrs.
Mckenna and Lind Interrupt Him with
questions. and ere Sileaced by Sharp Re-
plies"
"Party Leaders Enthusiastically Applaud
the Orator, and HIS Speech is the Talk Of
Washington"
Concerning that speech, the New York
World said:--"When Speaker Crisp ap-
pointed Mr.. Bryan, of Nebraska, one of the
committee on Ways and Means, some criti-
cIsm was made on the ground that he wa,
a new member and inexperienced in Tariff
legislation. But Mr.. Bryan to day in n
three hours speech made the biggest hit of
the debate and confirmed the Speakers
judgement Of his ability. No more dra-
matte speech has been delivered at this ses.
sion. Mr.. Bryan ho the clear cut features
of he Randall type. He spoke without
notes aud his baritone voice made the cham
Der ring. The republicans sought to take
advantage of his ineXpcrience in Congress
by interrupting him with questions which
would have puzzled much older heads.
But Mr.. Brysn frightened under this fric.
ton and forced one republican after another
into his seat. Old campaigners of the Reed
school, like Raines, of New Yoak, and Nc
kenna. ofCalifornia, found the young Ne
braskian more than their match. A law
yer, by profession, Dir. Bryan argued his
case with dramatic directness that aroused
not only the enthusiasm of the democrats,
but won the applause of the galleries.
when Mr.. BRYAN finished, the galleries ap-
plaudcd for fully five minutes, the demo-
Gratis and republicans gathered about him
and SHOOK his hand warmly. This speech
has been q revelation. No new member
has received such M ovation in years. Mr.
Bryon's speech was the talk of the town
to night"
Although Mr Bryan's political oppo-
nents have told the world that Nebraska
has often recorded it's political vote against
him. they have not given the testimony
that will be cheerfully borne by any reput-
able citizen Of this state: That William
j. Bryan has never met with political re.
verses, TIA. that he was accompanied by
thousands of men who, having had every
opportunity for the study OF the man,
trusted him implicitly and admired him for
the philosophy with which he met defeat,
tho yigor with which he wagod the battle
and the honesty with which he defended
conviction. And these will also say that
in this day Mr. Bryan is stronger in Ne
braska than at any other time in his career.
Tie has won the way to the hearts of Ne
hraskians, regardless of political prejudice.
II were asked to answer the question.
"Wha, is The explanation Of Bryant" /
would quote the concluding paragraph Of
an editorial that appeared in the Omaha
Daily World-Herald during the closing
hours of the congressional campaign oil
1890. II was good then; il is good now:
"Nsture has gifted Mr.. Bryan with re-
marx HE face sucb n G,ce ~ co,,Id DO car