The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-11-15
E.NATORI.AI5 WHISk E.RS.
passion.

SENATORIAL WHISPERS.
One touch of whiskers once upon time made
the whole world kin. Not Low-not. III fact,
since the insidious fashion of the tonsori propa-
ganda found its high tide of popularity when
Bryan az "A beardless youth tore the stars from
the armament and set them like daisies on a
4 brow dewy with oratory. Mckinley and Bryan,
! in Vi campaign that shook only this country.
but the world carried their features before the
people at their face value. They threw away the
tradition of patriarchal dignity. They needed no
hirsnte flag to flap with the patriotic movement
of their jaws, Their eyes blazed in clear. clean
spaces. Their mouths and lips. tightly COM
pressed before the photographer, took the CHS
elled mold of Greek statues. There were those
fippant ones who declared that the gentleman
from Nebraska. having opened his mouth, was
unable to shut it, They were COMPOUNDED by a
hundred thousands photographs that literally lit
! tered the paths and by-ways of the nation. Mr..
| Bryan opened his mouth always, until he sat for
picture, He suffered to pose in the vision
of his eountrymen as one sitting in ufish thought
Notwithstanding the melody of his words and the
silver ripple of his dietion
1t Was about this time that whiskers came
most generally into disrepute. Every village
held the who, examining himself closely in
the glass, discovered tlrat-barrng beard or
a mustasche-~he was a Mckinley or Bryan.
Out came the razors. UP went the heels of the
country on the barbers foot rest--off came the
pastulage Everywhere there the vision OF
the man with the bleaehed chin. the negligent
lips. dragged forth from their hidipg. quiveriug
with modesty Industry. paralyzed by panic
made the best of the situation. Safety razors
Wed with the BARRIERS, The court plaster trus,
plucked up courage. To wear beard carried
the suspicion of some uneonfessed facial deform
ity No hamlet was so obscure that it did not
hold at least one second" OF Presidential cam
didate
In the throes OF general d fashion it is at
least pleasing TO note here and there an old
timer of the beard 1t adds an interest denotes
confidence in human nature now and again to
find one whom fashion is poweress defect
from custom. There is a quality of herosm
about whiskers which is not lacking IN appeal.
To wear them in solitary indifference 10 the com
mon herd suggests certain virlity; To win with
them to force their recognition, touches on
genius
Except in Indiana the country has not evil
denced any particular enthusiasm III John W.
Kern MIR Kern is known chiefly by his beard.
which is a sort of cross between the eoatee of
goat and the facial adornment OF the old time
deacon. They uncompromisng whiskers.
though their wearer has been compromised in
public esteem. Running team mate with the
cameoike Bryan, 1t cannot be gansaid that
the Kern whiskers cost many Ia cam
paign in which talk of honor" bore so large
part, the people wanted show down. In Kerns
own State 1t but logical step for public pre-
iudice to take to bring about the elevation of
the smooth checked Beveridge whose classic
features clipped off the figures OF speech like a
patent cigar cutter
But now the whiskers have come back. Roose-
welt dared not enough to hide his teeth
hut Taft amplihed the mustasche. and Hughes in
dulged himself to the full in beard that looks
like hairy porcupine Now Hughes is in a
fair way to become Chief Justice, and John w
Kern, whiskers and ALL is the Nay to his
congratulations added: Now. John shave off
those darned whiskers. Nobody bur Jays are
wearing whiskers" Whereupon Kern wired in
reply: The last State convention b, a unan.
imous vote endorsed the whiskers. and as the
people of the State SO decidedly expressed their
approval OF them, | shall have to carry them
with me to the Senate
80 ba laws hn
decree again for whiskers. the time is not far
distant when the remnant OF that determined /
band that forswore raZors till Bryan should
reach the White House will at length he relieved
of the dread conspicuousness of its folly
The True Reformers are the right track
when they decide that restitution is the best
proof of repentance.