Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1911-10-13
William Jennings BRYAN

Quite number of newspapers are
aiming their shafts of criticism mt
William j. Bryan these days. 1t is
an easy thing to do, and some of those
who were his most historical boosters
when he was carrying the standard
of the party now join with the fash
ion of the funny photographers i'm de-
crying his fame.
He is practically out of public life.
but reserves the same righht of every
other American citizen to express his
opinion OH public affairs, and that it
has weight with many thousands of
Democratic voters, it would be foolish
to deny. He is like the great Dane,
moving powerfully on his way undis-
turbed by the small pack barking at
his heels. Louis F. Post, in The Pub
ic. Chicago paper, thus describes
the situation:
William j. Bryan is under con-
slant fire of charges from all direc-
tions, mostly from old enemies or cold
friends, the substance of which is that
he is "butting in" to boss the Dem
ocraic party in the choice of it's presi-
Dental Candidate for 1912. But if
there. is one man whose duty it is
more than any others to "butt inn
at this time that man is William j.
Bryan.
Some protest that Brayn has had
honor enough in three nominations
and should now be "silent sage.
Whoever looks upon Bryan's nomina-
ton in that way exposes himslf as a
politician intsaed of patriot. An
honor, yes; three times an honor. YES ::
but only as it is always an honor to
be trusted by millions as the repre-
sentative of their ineterests and aspi-
rations. A mere offer of office. bv
preference of one man over others.
Just to please his pride, simply for
the sake of office-a presidential
chair or kingly crown-there would
have been no honor in that. If the
man accepted his nomination in that
spirit, it dishonored him; if his con-
stituents proffered it in that spirit.
1t dishonored them. But if both were
actuated by better spirit, then and
only then were the nominations hon
ors. But in that case the honors rest
upon both. The fact that this honor
was bestowed thrice, imposes no obi
cation puon Bryan to retire or upon
those who trust him to retire him. In
fact it makes his participation in pol
tics now all the more imperative as
dut y and his advice all the more
But what is it that Bryan is doing
over which old enemies and cold
friends make such an uproar? They
say that he is trying to dictate the
presidential nomination. Let's see.
IN the Commoner of September LIST,
Mr.. Bryan's position is stated, doubt
less by himself, in these. terms "Mr.
Bryan has but one desire in the mat
ter, namely, that the best man NAV
be chosen. He has hesitated to urge
any one man over others because he ia |
anxious to have the benefit of all the
light possible. Many have ALREADY
reached decision for one candidate
Or another, and Mr.. Bryan is glad to |
see such organize and present their
'laims of their choice" This is pre-
;isely in accord with the attitude MIR.
Bryan has maintained from the start
AS to one person, and only one, has
Bryan discrimina ted. This is Govern
Or Hartman; but he discriminates
against Hartman. We can, therefore.
lndei stand why Harman's supporters
'oar. They know that with Bryan's
advice hostile, Hartman can hardly be
nominated, and if nominated, will
certainly be defeated at the polls.
But how shall the other roar be ex-
'iained.ESupporters of any of the four
men Bryan has named favorbably and
With no discrimination, upon what
'hs DRY do any of them complain that
he is debating the nomination? We
IAN think of none except that he
names four men instead of one. But
II that is their reason, are they not
IN effect asking Bryan to do the very
ming Tor their candidate which they
nistakably complains of him for {
loing Tor some other candidate {?
'ryan has no right to be boss, of '
curse; but on the other hand, hasn't t
e the right not to be bossed ?"-
richmond Evening Journal.