Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-07-10

THE
statesmen today is the extent to
which they clothe themselves In
Democratic habiliments, and en-
deayor TO bring to the country DEM
ocratlc reforms. Every reform
promised by the Republican party
today, when reduced to its ultima
tum, Is promise on the part OF
that party to correct its own vicious
work.
The speaker then discussed the
tariff, the currency system, regulat-
ing OF common carriers, extrava-
gance In expenditures, imperialism
etc, and he fairly thrilled his hear
ers when he said:
Who is the great Democrat whose
past record. whose personality.
whose cloquence, whose character
and capacity form combination
able to present these issues forcibly
to the American people. and who II
victory comes. will, without fear or
FAVOR. use all the great powers in
cident OF the office OF president TO
nave these reforms realized? Speak
ing In behalf OF the state OF Vir-
ginia, her people proclaim with al
most an unanimous voice that that
person is William Jennings Bryan!
Virginia Is proud to claim him
or her lineage and blood. Born OF
her children, Virginia, with exult-
ant pride, glories in the achieve
ments OF this illustrious grandson,
and feels that through him she will
give to this nation a president wor-
thy to be numbered among her emf
nent ones whose lives have made
respondent the history of this ma
ton. There Is not a reform needed
in our country OF which he has not
been the foremost and most elo-
quent champion. There Is not an is
sue to be presented in the campaign
with which he is not strikingly iden-
tilted. H0 was the pioneer in the
many reforms OF recent years, which
have become almost the adopted
policies OF both great political par
ties. The best portion OF the
Roosevelt policies are gleanings
gathered from his teachings. The
people prefer as president and ruler
the teacher rather than the doubtful
heir OF one of his pupils
Bryan is called unsafe by some
not on account OF lack of fealty to
the people, but on account OF his
excessive zeal and earnestness in
their behalf. He is antagonized by
some, not because he has ever been
remotely associated or allied with
predatory wealth. but because he
firmly refuses to make to them any
surrender compromise. He is fought
by some not because he INDUCES
In political manipulation or dissim-
ulation, but because he frankly and
consistently appeals to the support
of the great mass OF the people. He
Is ridiculed by some, not because
he stoops to conquer" but because
he refuses to bend to questionable
pressure and improper methods. He
Is feared by some, not on account
of timidity or vacillation, but be-
cause he is possessed OF an iron
Will and determination to do what
his conscience and patriotism die
tate. Most of the objections urged
against him constitute virtues fitting
him for the exalted office of presi-
dent. While his political opponents
were in close alliance with railroads.
trusts, combines and monopolles.
his voice, as the leader of a great
party. boldly advocated the aboli-
ton OF existing abuses, portrayed
coming evils and pointed out the
pathway OF safety and reform. Most
OF the great principles and policies
for which he contended in his can
didacy for president have been vim
dicated, and the measure OF Repub-
lican popularity and possibilities of
success is the sxtent to which that
party adopts and adheres to the
principles for which he and the
Democratic party have so long con-
tended. We hail him as the person
whose per-eminence and distinction
come from no decoration OF office
or power. but from his intrinsic
worth as man, his splendid quail
ties OF mind and heart. a man
whose character and genius have
been sufficient to survive defeat;
without personal triumph each year
to acquire the increasing confidence
and affection OF the American peo-
pie. Those who differ with him on
public questions bear testimony to
his integrity Of character. his pa