The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1913-11-20
pOPIHAL ENTERTAINERS.

pOPl]LAL ENTERTAINERS.
Several European journals, not
!, the least understanding the genius
- onr institutions, have been in
dulging in sardonic merrlment over
The SIGHT of our secretary OF state,
Mr. BRYAN, performing lecture stunts
IN company with acrobats, Juegiers
ard circus performers of one kind or |
other Yet this matter only appears !
strange in European eyes for the rea-
con that we are a more imaginative
neone on this side of the Atlantic
and have a much more correct con-
centior of what politician really is
than have most of the people OF Eu-
zone The difference is that the dull
Fnropean mind regards the politician
in office as serious, dignif1ed figure
While here, though we make the
same pretense, we know perfectly
we'll that it is only p-etense, and
that most of our politicians are really
noDular entertainers, by no means
ont of their element when associated
with clowns, acrobats, yodIers and
other providers OF public amuseme MT.
The pretense that they are other
wise only heightens the popular en--
iovment and RI n lers it more piquant
Bnt we do not really deceive o.
selves with says the Journai-fro'
eressive.
Most of our public characters IN
political life are more popular for
their clownish characteristics than
for any other feature. We have
all sorts of them. Solemn clowns
life Taft. The Bombastes Furloso
tvpe REPRESENTED by Roosevelt. The
GOAT. bearded, hayseed type. full of
picturesque provincial oaths. and
dribbling tobacco juice, like Uncle
Joe Cannon Refined after dinner
clowns like Depew. Combatative
clowns of the type of Pitchfork Till
man and Governor Blease: Inc
man who looks like Lincoln tpye,
represented by host Of imitators
like Sulzer, Shelby M. GALLON, Bailey
and LaFollette. The statesman
type. posing on an imaginary pedes,
tai, with SLOUGH hat, frock coat and
hand in the breast thereof, affected
by Hearst and others. Myriads OF
the story teller" type, from the
artist who can put his tale ovel
cIeverly, to the clown novice VINO
begins by saying, That reminds me
of story" etc. The reader CAL
continue the list indefinitely. AS {
matter of fact, the politician wht
does not combine some of the tea
lures of the popular entertainer get
little attention from the public ant
is hardly regarded as a politician
The motto of the politician with u
is the public be pleased, and eac'
of them cultivate some specH
stunt calculated to amuse some por
ton of the public, if not all OF them
And as the public is easily pleased
and there are great variety OF en-
tertajners, there is amusemen
enough TO 90 around and ever
taste is catered to.
Bryan, on circuit with the circus
is not really taken seriously, but tn
enjoyment of his performance
considerably heightened by the pre-
tense that he is, and the Amerlc al
people, always keen to discern
Joke. have no difficulty in maxim
such pretense. Though Bryan ia
been listened toby millions, nobod
remembers anything he ever san
except perhaps the c'oss of gold an
the crown of thorns gag, with vino
he made his initial entry into po'lt
cal vaudeville. He is on the boart
precisely for the same reason as tn
yodelers who precede and folio
him-to tickle the ears of the aud
ence. Also for $3.50 per turn.
The only fault that can be four
With all this is that the Amerlci
sease of humor is so highly develo
II that we are likely to lose sight
'ne manipulators of these puppe
tie grim, calculating exploiters w
lnulct US while we are enjoying I
performance to their autOmata, a
fail to recognize that it is staged
this object.
Nevertheless, we are not t
laughing stock of Europe. and If
were, we should not grudge Euro
share in our merriment ~~~@
Utilized Spare Tire.