The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-05-07

U. S. Senator Vim. n. Milton, from
Florida.
all who deserved it, and never max
ing unreasonable demands for per
sonaI ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
His Political Career.
II was inevitable, however, that 3
man of his temperament and QUalifi
cations should be drawn into the pO-
Iitical arena. Seemingly born to as
sumo a leadership of men, ne plunged
into the memorable BrOWard-Davis
gUbenatOrial campaign, ranging him
self with the forces that followed the
banner of the successful candidate
Following this, he was, in 1904,
candidate for delegate at large TO the
national Democratic convention, with
the result that he was chosen by the
largest vote given any man on the
ticket This lead OF more than 1000
votes was the spontaneous tribute of
the masses of FlOrida's Democratic
voters, who believed IN this young
chieftain for their cause and in the
attainment by him of a splendid des-
tiny. He was even then the hero of
his people.
On the day when he was notified of
his appointment to succeed the late
Senator Stephen Russell Mallory. Mr..
Bryan issued the ringing public state
ment from which | take the following
extracts. as showing the vfrile quail
ties of his intellect and the buOyant
optimism of his nature. Among other
things, he said:
From among those who are candi-
dates for the nomination OF United
States senator believe that he should
be chosen who can best serve the peo-
pie of Florida in cryStaIlizing their
Democratic faith into national law It
is purely question of service. That
Democrat can render the best service
who is really and sincerely in heart
and mind in accord with the princi-
plies and beliefs of the rank and file of
Florida's Democracy and has been so
in season and out, whether candi-
date, a private citizen, public of
fetal, a lawyer, doctor. editor. farm
er. or what not, regardless OF his local
habitatien = - i am bv birth
education, and intense conviction.
identified with the state of Florida.
and hope to contribute of the strength
and vigorous manhod and an I'M
fiinching courage of a firm believer
in the righteousness of his conduct
to the state in which my people. hav-
ing been OF pioneer families in the
period of settlement and development,
so wholly belong. 7 shall accept the
governors commission. and | promise
to Justify his action in the minds of
all fair-minded Democrats by an earn
est. energetic. and uniaGgins devO-
ton TO the interests OF the people of
Florida " 1 have planned a
whirfwind campaign already. that will
give courage to my friends in the
coming primary election
announcement the gallant spirit of
BRYAN makes itself felt It was like
the man-earnest, ightfOrward, de-
void of all guile and pretense. He
took the people into his confidence.
and there was never time in which
they did not trust him implicitly. He
said he had planned whirlwind cam
naign There are few who do not be
lieve that he would have been sue
cessful by the verdict of the people
had he lived to carry through his
fight for a full senatorial term. AL
though he was COntending against able
and popular men. in his own mind
there never came a shadow of doubt
of his triumph. As with many Of his
type of inherent greatness. he was d
firm believer in his own destiny. But
let il he understood that this cOnvic-
ton had no effect whatever on the
natural sweetness of his disposition
OF upon the amiability of his bearing.
"Unaffected Gentleman"
He was always The courteous. unaf-I
fected gentleman. ever cOnSiderae.
never arrogant. never vain or conceit-
ed His appearance here might we'll
have turned the head of a man of less
balance. for il was a proud diStinc-
ton that he enjoyed 10 be seated
among men OF national repute. most
of whom were so greatly his seniors.
Yet he took his place with that mod
est. serene air which sat 50 well upon
him and which stamped him as one
of natures nChlemen. The favOra Bile
recpptiOn which he met. and the kind
illness shown him by every senator on
both sides OF this chamber. would
have been a precious memory through
out all the years of his earthly pill
erinage. Not only did he win the
instant favor Of his associates in this
body. but the most cordial and Sympa-
thetic relations were established be
tween him and the leading officials of
the government. including the chief
executive of the United States Upon
thir first meeting the president of the
United States recognized the young
Southerner's innate nobility Of charaC-
ter. his high purpose. and 'chivalrCus
principles and Immediately they be-
came friends Evidence of this was
seen in the beautiful compliment paid
bv President Roosevelt 70 Mr. Bryan's
memory. when in accordance with the
Iatters wish he decreed that one of
the new baJtleships should bear the
name of Florida. How pathetic II
was that he who was instrumental in
bringing this about could not have
lived 70 see the beStCwal OF the name
on the occasion of the great ships
christening.