The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-27
BAYING Al THE MOON.

The most mournful sound, ard the most r.
ritatng to the nerves In the whole category Of
noises. IS that bowling Of pack Of hounds in
tire stiffness OF the night, when there Il ne
discoverable reason for their canine walls 1t
is then that sleep slips away In the dark and
patience PUSHES after IN hot pursuit II Is
then that tongue can scarce utter-so poor Is
language In 8 crlss--~hat the heart would
fain express
Somewhat familiar is the effect upon our
nerves produced by the incessant barking Of
petty politicians and provincial papers at VIII
liam Bryan. What is the occasion for 1t?
Is ii the fact that Mr.. Bryan has had the
courage TO propose policies. and defend them,
that have not met the approval of these parties2
1t might be well to remember that the best
thought OF today is rapidly moving in the direc-
tion of principles. for the declaration Of which
Mr.. BRYAN was once hooted and ridiculed Is
IL that he has led his party to defeat SO often
II NO, it was in the fight against monopolistic
interests and predatory wealth. And survey
of the past since Mir Bryan became national
figure. suggests the question whether the com
people would not have found under his
administration escape from the abominable con-
ditions that have been foisted upon them BY
the party that defeated him Surely it is not
the fear that he may again be the nominee Of
The Democratic party for the Presidency We
do not under the circumstances consider this
contingency in the realm Of probability.
Then Why lie is OF unquestoned
character and Of unusual abilities Ills voice
and his pen have constantly found employment.
In the defense Of the people against the en-
eroachments Of political intrigue and capital
istie greed. He has spent lifetime Of sincere
though some might think mistaken, endeavors
10 serve his country and TO strengthen the foun
dations Of righteousness. lie has never been
charged with. under suspicion Of unholy
alliance with political corruption or designing
self-interest In character capacity and conduct
William J. Bryan is high above the pack that
snaps and snars at his heels Then why? /,
is this question that, frankly cannot an
We hear the bowling but rushing to the
window. find nothing but the moon
We can easily understand that certain poll
ticians Of the loaf and fish variety might
dislike him. because he fears not to brand
them when occasion requires. We can under
stand that papers affiliated with or under con
troll Of. plutocratic interests might critcise
him FOR they fear him and his influence with
the people. But We cannot understand and We
have patience with, the incessant and gra
tuifious filings Of men who have no occasion
bus 70 admire the man, s.-...
We do not take queue from hostile poll
ticians press Our estimate of Mr. Bryan is
that he Is good and great man: mistaken
sometimes as all fallible men are. but trying
IN al seriousness and all sincerity to serve the
people. We think. therefore that honest De-
naocrats whose party principles he has never
deserted-and say this in fun knowledge
that he once scratched ii candidate for Cover
nor or Nehraska-may well accord him con
tinued admiration and respect meanwhile bear
Ing patiently as possible the haying in the
backyard