The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-07-14

or In jest. But the convention took It
seriously and / believe, had Bryan not
declined, he would have been nomi
mated by reclamation. Nothing that
had come before the convention was
received with such general, and ap-
parently, unanimous favor. The dele
gates rose in body, jumped to their
chairs, waved hats, handkerchiefs,
newspapers, and the uproar subsidized
only when Bryan, who was attempting
to speak from mis- chair, was urged to
the platform. OF all the fine things
that this great orator statesman has
ever said, think his ''valedictory," as
he called this speech, delivered on the
spur of the occasion, is, II not the
finest. at least among the finest both in
diction and sentiment. He said:
''Nfr. Chairman and members Of the
Convention: You have been so gen
erous with me in the allowance of
time that had not expected to trans
gress upon your patience again. but
the compliment that has been paid me
by the gentleman from the District Of
Columbia justifles, I hope, a word in
the form of a valedictory. (Applause.)
For 16 years l have been a fighting
man. Performing what 1 regarded as
a public duty 1 have not hesitated to
speak out ON every public question that
settlement, and have not hesitated to
arouse the hostility and the enmity OF
individuals where / felt 1t my duty to
do so in behalf of my country. Gap
plause.)
IT have never advocated a man ex-
cept with gladness and have never
opposed a man except in sadness.
Cheers and applause.) II I have any
enemies in this country those who are
my enemies have a monopoly of hatred.
There Is not one single human being
for whom 1 feel ill-will. (Applause.)
Nor is there one American citizen in
my own party or in any other that /
would oppose for anything except /
believed that in not opposing him 1
was surrendering the interests of my
country, which hold above any per-
son.
"T recognize that g man who fights
must carry scars (applause) and l de-
cided long before this campaign COM
menced that l had been in so many
battles and had alienated so many per-
sons that my party ought to have the
leadership Of someone who had not
thus offended and who might therefore
lead with greater hope of victory. Gap
plause.)
And tonight I come with Joy to sur
render into the hands of the one chosen
by this convention a standard which
carried in three campaigns, and chal
Ienge my enemies to declare that It
has ever been lowered in the face Of
the enemy. CGreat applause and cheer
ing) The same belief that led me to
prefer another for the presidency
rather than to be a candidate myself,
leads me to prefer another for the
vice presidency rather than TO be
candidate myself.
TT is not because the vice presidency
is lower in importance than the presi-
dency that I decline. There is no Of
fee in this nation so low that I would
not take It If I could serve my country
by accepting IL. (Great applause and
cheering.) I believe that I can render
more service when I have not the en-
harrassment Of a nomination and have
not the suspicion of a selfish interest,
more service than could as a candi-
date. and your candidate VIII not be
more active In this campaign than
shall be- (Great applause and cheer
ing) Ny services are at the command
Of the party and / feel a relief now
that the burden Of leadership is trans
ferred to other shoulders.
"AIl I ask is that having given Us a
platform the most Progressive that any
party OF any size has ever adopted In
this nation and having given us can
didate who I believe will appeal not
only to the Democratic vote but to
some three or four million Of Repub-
licans who have been alienated by the
policies of their party, there Is but
one thing left, and that is TO give US
vice president with our president who
is also Progressive, so that there will
be no joint debate between our can
didates. Great applause)
'I shall, therefore, conclude what /
have to say 10 you after thanking you
for the very generous treatment that
I have received at your hands. Let
me in conclusion second the nominal
ton. not Of one man but of two men,
Governor Burke, of North Dakota, and
Seator Chamberlin, or Oregon" 0ong
continued applause)
If Mr.. Bryan has ever said anything
finer than this / have never heard it.
and if anyone, under any circum-
stances, has ever given voice to a more
apt or eloquent expression of conf