Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-31

was of great benefit to him. and he says
that the mental discipline he received
from geometry has helped him in his
public debates and argumentative work.
I can also see how his talent as an orator
mas been developed and refined by his
taste for poetry and good literature. He
has always had his book loves and favor
lite poems. Among the latter are those
of William Cullen Bryant, with whom
he first became acquainted through a
prize copy Of the poems which he receiv-
ed for making the best Grafton In a COM
petitiye contest while he was junior.
He thought SO much of this book, that he
gave it to Mrs. Bryan when he was court
ing her. One of the poems in it which
he liked best is the "Ode to a Water
Fowl" one verse Of which he quoted dur
ing our conversation. This verse is:
He who from zone to zone
Guides through the boundless sky thy certain
flight.
In the long way tina. must tread alone.
VIII lead my steps Alright
Another of his favorite verses along
the line of human duty is OF a similar
character. This is from a poem written
by the Rev. F. S. Browning. 1t reads:
Where falls the seed that have tried to SOW
With greatest care;
But shall know
The meaning Of each waiting hour below
sometime, somewhere.
Along this line Of thought comes q re-
mark which Mr.. Bryan made when I
asked as to his work and whether the
demon Of worry ever kept him awake at
night. He replied:
IL do not worry. I do the best I can
and leave the results to the future.
don't believe In basing ones decision on
the possible results. The only question
to be considered is as to whether the act
Is right or not If it is right 1t should
be performed irrespective Of results. Be-
sides you cannot prophesy as to results
1t Is more important that you should do
the right than that you should regard the
consequences. God has given every one
the ability to know the right. and I be-
lieve he should act according to that
ability and leave the results to take care
OF themselves. The man who does that
need not worry"
rs it ever right to do wrong?"
NO. 1t is not right to do wrong. The
man who comes to such a conclusion must
be measuring the consequences. and that
as I have said. you cannot do
rs that not good principle to build a
life or a nation on?'
believe It rs the right principle" said
MT Bryan No principle Is At for the
building Of life that il not At for the
building of a nation. There il no rule OF
ethics that applies to individuals that
should not apply to nations as weli''
But that is not the general idea Of
diplomacy. Mr.. Bryan"
II think 1t Is the right idea. Diplo-
macy and the right should be synony-
NOUS
but, Mr.. Bryan. good many people
think differently. They believe that
diplomacy and lying are synonymous
Il do not agree with that at all. That
definition degrades diplomacy to the level
OF baseness. The right policy and the
honest policy plainly stated is the best
diplomatic policy"
Then you believe in honest politics?"
There Is no other kind Of politics
that last, said Mr.. Bryan. Morality
is. the only foundation for the building
OF man or q nation. made a sneecR
along that line Flag day. The subject
was brought up by the man who spoke
before me. He made rather a humorous
reference to my idea Of Friendship versus