Panama City pilot. (Panama City, Washington County, Fla.) 1907-19??, 1908-03-19
Entered as second-class matter May 3Oth,
1907, at the post Office at Panama City, Florida
under the Act of Congress of March 8. 1879
PANAMA CITY. FLA. MARCH 19. 1903.
If Bryan is Nominated.

The chiefest probable factor in Sc
curing his very possible election is
not to be found in the platform on
which he stands, nor in his thorough
knowledge of law and politics, nor in
the theories he so eloquently ex-
pounds, nor yet in his strong, indie
pendent, upright character. Neither
can it be attributed to the fact that
the present incumbent has made some
bold blunders, and few, perhaps
several, mistakes, thereby losing to
his party the confidence of the people
and rejecting discredit on the prin-
ciples it advocates. 1t is of a simpler
nature than any of these, farther
reaching in its effects. 1t lies in
mans susceptibility to fiattery (the
Commoner makes his followers feel
1--WE are the people'') and his
inclination to yield to importantly.
The great teacher gave to the world
concrete illustration of the effect
of opportunity when he told the
story of the unjust judge and of the
man who arose and gave his friend
"as many as he needed"
For twelve years and more William
Jennings Bryan has been importuning
Uncle Sam for the position as his
"chief butler" Representing as this
elderly gentleman does the best
thought and highest intelligence of
our people we dare not deem it other
than the result of a normal healthy
mental action if Uncle Sam were to
employ him. Bryan has never changed
front since he first began his importu-
mites; more than to shift his position
trifle for sake of the relaxation. He
was and, we believe, always will be,
to the best of his ability 'for the
people," His cry of free silver"
twelve years ago shifted to Glow
tariff" eight years ago, and now to
the plea for State Rights, which
latter idea permeates and colors the
oHUlTo pldUlOTu.
For four consecutive presidential
seasons he has launched his own
campaign. His position before the
American people is unique in the
extreme, really isolated. Going
back to our hypothesis, if he
is nominated this year he will be
one of three men who have received
the nomination three times by his
party, for the highest office in the
United States. Clay was nominated
three times, twice by the same party,
Grover Cleveland was nominated
three times and twice elected by the
same party. This year should bring
some of the fruits of Bryan's twelve
years of asking and seeking and
knocking.
Do not understand us to say that
we are for Bryan. This is simply
little resume of the thoughts coming
and going as we have seen Bryan's
name year after year in the papers.
Things good, bad and Indifferent alike
have contributed to swell the volume
of importantly going up from the
million throated press praying for
Bryan; one of the people, chosen by
the people, leader for the people.
We stand somewhat with the In
dianapolis Star, not an especial friend
of Bryan nor particularly pleased with
the prospect of his election. But facts
is facts" This paper says of him,
SIN world of crooked politicians he
is straight. In a world of drink
ing men he is total abstainer. In
a world of the agnostic and the care
less he is an avowed believer. He
is a church man, a missions man,
praying man. 1t is a thing to be
proud Of"
Bryan has gotten into the blood.
Bryan is in the air. Nota newspaper
in the country, worthy the name that
has not been his mouthpiece. A few
quotations from some to Illustrate,
"BRYAN SUPPORTERS GATHER IN
BOSTON," Harrisburg, Penn, "BRYAN
PARTY FORMED" Jackson, Miss,
"BRYAN CHARGES USE OF MONEY!"
"BRYAN SPOKE TO MEMPHIS AUDI
ENCE," &c. Such headlines could be
quoted indefinitely and then more.