The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-06-20
William Jerlings Bryan.

to him business trip, for we take 1t
that lecturing is, at this time, Mr..
Bryan's principal means, or one of
his principal means, Of earning liv-
ing. It is q highly honorable voca-
tion, affording the lecturer the oppor-
tunity to educate and stimulate pub
lie thought as cannot [be done in ali,
other way.
But" as the Columbia Record
well says, "Mr. Bryan cannot be sep
arated in the public mind from poll
Tics. He stands forth as having achiev-
ed the unique distinction Of being
three times the nominee Of his party
times the nominee of his party for
for president. in this respect his
position in our political history lis
.strikinglyE similar to that of Henry
Clay-though it may be premature
to make that comparison, If perchance
Mr.. Bryan still cherishes the hope
Of residing in the White House.
"It has been fifveen years since Mr..
Bryan became national figure.
When he went to the Democratic
national convention in Chicago In
1896 it was in rne dual capacity of
delegate and newspaper reporter.
He was then only thirty-six years old
and had served two terms in congress-
representing the first Nebraska dis-
trict. It has been said that the pres
idential nomination in 1896 came to
him as e result of his remarkable
speech advocating free silver, which
so captivated the convention. Un-
doubtedly this speech fixed the con-
yentfon's attention upon him, but it
is probably unjust to Mr.. Bryan to
give the speech entire credit for the
hold which he obtained upon his fel-
low delegates. The wisdom of the
judgment that the Chicago conven-
tion exercised In his selection was
demonstrated by the remarkable
campaign which he subsequently
conducted as the nominee Of the par
ty.. In that campaign it is stated
that he travelled over 1900 miles,
and the number of speeches he deliv-
cred was up to that time, unprece-
dented. There was a variety in his
speeches that stamped him as a man
Of remarkable intellectual versatil-
ity.
"The nominee of the party FOR
president again in 1900 and for the
third time in 1908, Mr.. Bryan lla
exerted upon. the Democratic party
an influence that Is without it's equal
since the days II Calhoun. He has
lived to outgrow the charge that he
is a man Of one idea His handling
Of Imperialism in the 1900 cam
paign and his discussion OF the trust
question in 1903 have sufficiently
refuted the allegation that he was
tied to free silver, but in his jpresen-
tation Of every political issue there
is the same underlying principle. Mr..
Bryan, If not a. crusader, is at least
an apostle. His political preaching,
II It may be so called, is Pauline.
That he stands yet for the man above
the dollar, as he did In 1896, none
can deny.
1T is idle at this time to speculate,
as. SO, many ara accustomed to 90,
upon what might have been the sue
cess or failure CT the Democratic par
ty had Mr. Bryan's influence during
the last fifteen years been less power
full. The fact stands out that ever
since 1896 he has been the one nat
ionJal exponent OF Democratic prin-
ciples. 1t has been his opportunity
to occupy this position, and it is not
necessary to consider whether the re-
suit !of his leadership has been bene-
fetal or otherwise. At present more
than at any other time in this period
there are coming to the front party
leaders who nfay prove themselves
equal to the assumption of the posi-
ton Mr.. Bryan has held, but it Is al
most manifest that none of these
leaders can expect, or can be expected
to take first place in the party, ranks
over the active opposition Of the Me-
braskan. It may be that next year
Mr.. Bryan will find himself lighting
for dominance against not one but
several Of these prospective leaders.
If that turns Gus to be the case 1t may
be depended upon that he will put up
a hard fight. It is, however, the rem
eral hope of those concerned for the
success Of the party that Mr.. Bryan
will find it consistent with his convic-
tions and ambition to Join hands with
one or the other of the progressive
Democratic governors, who are now
the Demodratic party the
present hope OF the republic.
"It is superfiuous to- say that Mr..
Bryan is now, as always, very well
come to South Carolina. This is
State that has heen devotedly loyal to
his leadership, believing in the prin-
ciples for which he has stood and con.
fdent of his sincerity and singleness
of purpose"