The Irish standard., 1908-06-06
NOW RISING TO EXPLAIN.

The antl-Bryan papers are begin
ming to make explanations suitable to
themselves of the source of Mr.. Bry-
ans success with the people. The
New York Evening Post says:
Looked at in any way, this is an
extraordinary political phenomenon,
for there is no mistaking the fact that
the leading Southern senators and rep
resentatives are either lukewarm or
hostile to Bryan. So are the leading
Southern newspapers. Expressions of
dislike for him personally, distrust Of
his policies, and despair of success un-
der his leadership could be quoted by
the column from those who are sup
posed to mould public opinion in the
South, yet Mr.. Bryan has gone behind
the official leaders and guides of his
party and shown that he commands a,
majority of the Democratic voters, and
he has done this in states North and
West and South. 1t is remarkable
demonstration of political strength.
Ordinary explanations go certain
way. Mr.. Bryan has a political ma
chine. He has devoted friends work.
ing for him not without hope of re-
ward. His campaign is we'll financed.
He is tireless and ready campaigner,
and adroit manager. Those things do
not strike deep enough to account for
all the facts.
I'VE have not had the pleasure of
listening to his lecture or sermon on
the Prince of Peace" but those who
have tell us that il is a perfect MASTER
piece of emotional goodness, that stirs
the hearts OF women and children and
leads the average father of the family
to say, well, Bryan is a good man
after ALL guess III vote for him next
time"
"Mr. Bryan has complacently re-
marked upon the differences between
his standing with the clergy now and
twelve years ago. Then he was looked
upon as kind of bogy man, the agi-
tator, the innovator. the stirrer-up of
class hatred. and inspired good people
with fear. But today Bryan has
changed all that. He is the friend OF
missionaries. the sympathetic reporter
c. the forward movement in China. the
favorite orator at church gatherings.
Moreover. he is man Of clean private
life. does not drink or smoke. is. in a
word. almost puritan. This counts
enormously in the South. which is
justly said to be the last refuge of
purltan'sm in this country Against
eloquence such as his great views of
rt ligion such as his. and severe
morality such as his, Southern enemies
o. Bryan will labor in vain to make
a stand"
That explanation suits the Post. The
New York World. doubtless. would
have another None of the enemies of
Bryan recognize the real cause of his
strength with the people. Bryan is
strong with the Democratic voters be :
cause he thinks as they think and be-
cause he tries to put into practice the
ideals for which they stand. We have
never heard the sermon on the prince
or Peace, but we do know that Mr..
Biyan's life for the last twelve wears
mas been political sermon which has
impressed itself upon the politics of
this country. 1t is a sermon which
fas not only converted his own party
nut also the opposition party. Mr..
Rryan may or may not be President
OF the United States. but he has
changed the political thought and
ideals in way which no other man
ever has, and most of us think the
change is for the better.