Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1910-09-30
BrYan--A Moral Insurgent
-Richmond Virginian.-

Richmond Virginian.-
There ought TO be no mourning at
the bar among those who realize his
highest utility TO the country upon
the occasion of William Jennings
Bryan passing out of the harbor of
partisan politics. His announcement
that he will not support the nomi-
nee of Nebraska Democracy for the
govenorship OH account OF the con-
ilict between his own and Mayor
Dahlam' S views on the moral issue
of liquor regulation is merely the in
evitable action in such a crisis
long clear TO every friend and stu
dent OF Bryan and his ways. Some
men are born To partisan ability
some are born without the genius
OF organization as expressed in par
ties. Bryan is of the latter Gloss.
lie is a moral insurgent, for the par
ty so long as ii squares with his
convictions, against il when his NOR
al sense is shocked. All through his
remarkable career il has been this
in the man which has had most TO
do with his defeat. He has been i'm
perious and wilful in good causes The
has been utterly without that &C
commodating quality that makes a
politician.
Now that Mr.. Bryan has separat-
ed himself from the party which he
has led, il may perhaps be said in
all friendliness that il is we'll that
the inevitable moment has arrived.
AS AMI Independent he can still exert
his great and undoubted moral infiu-
ence. He can still follow his trade
of political prophet. He can still
work in the setting of ideals ahead
OF the times He can still be a great
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS than he has been
for the fact that his words and ac-
tions will henceforth be coupled
with no faint of self interest, with
no suggestion of ambition other than
to place his talents at the service OF
the people. Mr.. Bryan has tried
hard To be a politician. He has not
had the stomach for the role. His
moral character overrides his tactical
genius. His convictions and beliefs
do not permit him TO abide the con-
ventional ethics of party loyalty.
He soes out of the party honored
and regretted, leaving behind him
much that is good, taking with him
a a IN no Of oil
capable OF recognizing honesty even
in an opponent.
1t were idle to say that Mr.. Bry-
ans course will not cause zeal regret
among the majority OF Democrats
everywhere. 1t were idle to say that
his action is not in striking degree
Inconsistent with his general teach |
ings. No man has more strongly and |
perslstently ANNOUNCED the doctrine of
party fealty based upon the arbitra-
ment Of party majority. 1t will not
be forgotten that the man whom |
Bryan now deserts is the man to
whom the primary in which Bryan
gave q plurality. 1t
III NSS NC o'iihcu Iuht HI TAKING the
course he has Mr.. Bryan has made
himself technically traitor, not on
ly to his oft expressed principles,
but to the method upon which re-
form sentiment can ordinarily hope
to make Itself effective, in one party
or thesother. Mr.. Bryans zeal for
what he considers right simply sepa-
rates him from any and all parties.
In our view he will be for that rea-
son all the more valuable to the
at large as a great and in
spring leader calling forth the best
hat lies In the hearts OF the men +.
who give to parties their worth and
character.
Saving so much, 1T ought also to
'e carefully noted that Neblaskan Z
that could have called for
uch a sacriciie on Mr.. Bryan's part
IA sacricfie involving political sui I
lde, involving the elimination of :
himself as factor in the great party
lee has SO largely infinenced-must .
Re conditions TO raise the gorge of =
Iecent men. 1t ought to be noted 7
laL there is an undercurrent of NOR +