The Washington herald., 1910-10-04

lines. There is less hostility expressed 20
Bryan on account OF his attitude on
liquor than on account Of his growing
autocracy and dOmineering disposition.
They say that in the past he has been
glad 10 welcome the aid OF men who
disagreed with many OF his pct ideas
witness Harmon in Ohio and Croker in
New York-but when it comes 10 support
ing a friend with some OF whose views
he disagTees Il IS a different matter.
Then principles must be put above per-
sons, and old friends sacrificed for
newly-invented doctrine The satire with
which Mr.. Bryan's friends spoke Of his
inclination 10 identify himelf with the
cause" and accept all support as purely
impersogal involving no obligations on
his part IN return. reminded me COM
ically OF the lines sung by the lord
chancellor in Gilbert and sullivan's
opera "Iolanthe."
THE law is the embodiment
OF everything that's excellent
II has no sort OF fault or flaw,
And I. my lords. embody the law"
Yet amid the general chorus OF pollti-
sonaI resentment IS seldom heard. Eulo-
gy OF his high moral character. his abiI-
ity. and HIS personal worth is expressed
even by those who denounce his present
political methods. But the sentiment IS
general that in this State. AZ least, he
cannot come back" His own county
Of Lancaster was carried by both Dahl
man and Hitchcock
Old Guard Dissfpated.
Becoming depressed by this almost
unanimous expression OF political hos
tility. I went to the mayor.
Where" asked, "can I find in
Omaha man who will give the Bryan
side of this story? Who viii defend the
Bryan position?"
He thought a moment. II don't be-
lieve there is one" said he; that is,
one Of sufficient prominence. even local.
10 be worth quoting"
Might find some one in the Jack
sonian Club" suggested a city official
who sat by.
No; even those fellows are gone. OF
course. you can find many among men
on the street-nen unknown TO politics
but the old Bryan guard is dissipated'
COmmOner On Regularity.
So hied for the man on the street"
and talked with perhaps ten Of his type.
Here is a sample OF the talk:
4 don't believe in Bryan. because ever
since he was first nominated for the
Presidency he has been a most positive
stickler for regularity Only the other
day the Commoner IN an article written
or inspired by him attacked Gov. Har-
mon because in 1896 he, as a member OF
the Cleveland Cabinet. had opposed Mr..
Bryan's election. Gov. Harmon may be-
all right to-day, cried the Commoner.
but in 1896 he was disloyal 10 the ticket
Therefore let Us select some man who
was loyal in 1895 and ever since
We'll. that may be ali right, but where
does il leave Bryan for his future when
his present position is quite as much
that of a boiler as that of any Of those
whose actions in 1896 doomed them 10 his
eternal enmity?'
II is not for me TO answer that question
that is for Mr.. Bryan and his remaining
followers But a little later I met an
old-time politician Of Omaha-not over
friendly to Bryan in the past, it must be
admitted-whO made these remarks:
Did you know that the very force
which carried Bryan into Congress in 1894
and gave him his political future is the
one which he has lately been fighting?
Jim Boyd was candidate for governor,
Bryan was candidate for Congress. Bryan
talked national issues, Of course. Boyd
talked against sumptuary laws OF all
sorts. Boyd was elected and carried Bry-
an through with him. Now Boyd is dead
and Bryan is preaching against the very
policies which gave him his first start"
No More Enthusiasm.
And so II goes. Up and down the
streets of Omaha you may go, haunt
hotels. the city hall and other spots
which I have seen crowded with cheering,
shouting men ready almost to go up 10
the guns for the man whom they called
Billy b" To-day no shadow Of that
old-time enthusiasm remains. only a
shadow of regret Whether Mr.. Bryan
appreciates il or not. l do not know.
1 have not seen him, and as he is cam
paigning in Missouri. when the hottest
campaign in all the West is in progress
in Nebraska, I probably shall not.
Copyright. 1910. by Joseph B. Bowiesl
Church Women 10 Give Euchre