Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-06-27
MR.. BRYAN's cHAUTAUoUA
SPEECH

SPEECH
There was a fine crowd to greet the
celebrated Nebraska statesman when he
appeared at the rostrum out at the Sam
Jones' tabernacle today. He spoke for
nearly two hours. was expecting him
to deliver a regular lecture, but his dis
course was composite. Part of it was
religious-the other part was devoted to
the progress of popular government in
foreign countries as well as in the
United States.
The speaker is an optomist, and those
who expected him to show signs of his
three great national dereats were GER
taEnIy disappointed.
l was pleased TO notice this optomistic
state of mind. and certainly he has had
goodly snare OF this worlds favors in
prestige and opportunity. 1t is great
thing to make such score in the prog
ress of life. and to find ones self so
well equipped for further progress and
renewed opportunity.
1t means a great deal to be the leader
OF great national party for II years,
and stiIl hold the power that is freely
ascribed TO Mr.. Bryan True, he was de-
feated every time, but success is not the
that could happen-in a struggle for prin-
ciple. II has been the verdict for CEN
turtles that great minds can afford to
suffer and to die in a great cause. 1 was
trying to put away in my mind any
great thought which the speaker might
give us all the time Mr.. Bryan was
speaking-and his plea for religion, his
defense of the Bible and his argument
for the divinity of Christ were all wor-
thy OF the efforts of the greatest di-
vines OF modern times. l expected him
TO tell US how our patriots would meet
existing political conditions and the rem
edies for degeneracy in popular govern
ment. in the closing words of his long
address. but he was not so explanatory
as l had wished. One of the aptest
things he said was his description of a
cartoon, which appeared after his last
presidential defeat, where the cartoonist
represented the successful one and the
defeated one, as a pair Of birds.
The victor sat on the nest, but was
covered with the feathers that he had
plucked from the Bryan bird. The pluck
ed Bryan bird. sitting on a bare limb,
had but one feature left. labeled Tariff
Reform" Now, he said the opposition
were reaching out for the lone feather,
and he had the satisfaction of knowing
that he did furnish the solid facts for his
opponents to make good on.
In discussing the power of Pacific rail-
road bride money on congressman he re-
lated what was told to him by Senator
John T. Morgan himself. He said SEN
ator Morgan was invited to accept a sal
airy of $4,000 per annum and yet never
enter a court house. AS a senator Of the
United States he was invited by Hunt
mgton's Pacific railroad managers to en-
ter the service of this railroad and never
enter a court housed
believe this statement to be the truth,
as stated by General Morgan to Hon.
william ]. Bryan. / was fully convinced
that there were southern men in Wash
ington city who were continually I'm the
pay of this Pacific railroad combination,
and who never entered a court house,
as lawyers or legal counsel. This fact, as
stated in the speech of Mr.. Bryan today,
is confirmatory of my belief and for this
reason have made a full chapter in my
forthcoming book on Pacific railroad
bribery.
Mr.. Bryan is a clear speaker. He does
not slur over a word. I take II he
learned TO be careful so that shorthand
reporters might take down his speeches.
He is not violent in his gestures and was
able to do what / never saw any other
speaker do so well, namely, fan himself
with big palm leaf fan and yet hold on
to his words and his subject I should
say that his health Is first class. He steps
lightly and vigorously
What the future holds for him l know
not, but he has strength, experience and
viriiity sufficient 20 make new records in
politics and religion.