The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-01-22
BRYAN

OcaIa is just as large as any other
place this evening, for there is only
one Bryan, and he cannot be in more
than one place at a time, and since he
Is in Ocala it is as large as Lincoln,
Chicago. New York or London.
No other man looms up in public
life with the wholesome largeness Of
Mr.. Bryan. Measured by the standard
of temporary success he has been
failure Measured by the confidence
of his fellow men, he has been sue
cessful indeed.
When, sixteen years ago, Bryan
stepped with one stride from COM
parative obscurity to the brightest
light of publicity, the little Daily
Star. then edited by a. L. Harding. one
of the most sincere of men. gave him
loyal and enthusiastic support. Those
who followed Mr.. Harding the Star
have never anticipated Mr.. Bryan's
success in subsequent elections with
the confidence that earnest and honest
journalist had in 1896, but he had no
greater faith than theirs in the Ne
braskans devotion to a high and noble
conception of craftsmanship.
1t Is said by his critics that Mr..
Bryan Is not practical That he is not
Is simply because We will not practice
that which might be best for US. No
one has heard Mr.. Bryan advocate any
policy that would not be good for the
country if it was intelligently and
honestly carried out. 1t is constantly
argued against him that his ideals are
too high-but suppose We all tried to
live up to them.
Mr.. Bryan is the foe of special priv
ileges. Special privileges has ruined
nation after nation, and is steadily
gaining ground in this country. If we
do not check 1t in these days, when we
can do so by peaceful means, 1t will
grow until it will take a revolution to
destroy IL. One reason and another is
given why Mr.. Bryan,s policies will not
work. but the real objection to most
OF them is that so many Of the people
have not the bravery and self denial
to put them to work.
Mr.. Bryan has made his mistakes.
but they have been honest ones. His
friends have never had to apologize
for his motives. He has never had a
political boss. He has never advocat
ed expediency at the expense of truth.
He has never been accused of corrupt
practices. He has never abused or
slandered those who disagreed with
him and he has never failed his
friends No man in public life has ever
had a cleaner record, personally or po-
1itically.
Mr.. Bryan has never had the oppor-
tunity to put his theories into prac-
tice. But many Of them have been put
In use by his political enemies and
their merit proven.
AS the Star said a few days ago
Bryan occupies much the same posi-
ton in American politics that Glad
stone filled in British. But the Eng
light gave Gladstone success where we
have given Bryan defeat. The hands
of the clock were not turned back
ward in the British empire during
G1adstone's administrations, and the
Star doubts that any evil that might
have been brought upon us by Bryan's
election would have been as great a:
some we have suffered from under
Mckinley and Roosevelt This nation
has not trodden primrose paths since
go, any more than it did before.
Mr.. Bryan may never be president
but no president ever held a higher
place in the public esteem than he. NJ
man in America today has as great
share of the confidence and goodwill
of the plain people. And he isn't al
old man, by any means. and public
policy comes nearer his way ever!
day.
The Star hopes Mr.. Bryan will have
a full-sized audience tonight Hi
lecture is one that is indeed worth tht
hearing of every thoughtful man and
woman. And it is worth anyone
while to hear and see Bryan. More
over, his lecture Is given in a mos
worthy cause, and one in which Deal;
has vital interest. So buy you
tickets right away. and be in you
seats in good time, SO that tonigh
will be an event in your lives to re
member.