The Washington herald., 1913-08-03

'Ts It true that while . young man you
thought Of becoming Baptist Minister
inquired.
"That thought came into my head
when I was q small boy" Mr.. Bryan an
swered. '.At least there 10 . tradition In
the family that I often spoke Of being 4
Baptist clergyman. As the story II told,
the matter was never again referred 10
: after had gone with my father to .
baptism at the church. I asked, on re-
turning home, II the minister always went
into the water. Being assured that he
did, I seemed to lose interest in the
subject. My next ambition was to be
Q farmer and specialize in pumpkins
Then settled on the law as calling.
Now all these aspirations came TO ma
before was six years old. But I never
changed my purpose after deciding to
adopt the profession Of my father"
why" inquired. did you leave the
Baptists when you were fourteen years
old and Join the Presbyteriansr
Joined Church While .. Boy.
"The Baptist congregation at Salem
was small, and their services were some
what irregular. About seventy young
people In the town and vicinity. including
myself. were converted one winter At .
Presbyterian Cumberland revival. Most
Of them became members OF the Presby-
terian church and I Joined with them
because they were my friends and asso-
ciates. Father was a liberal-minded man.
believing that God directed the affairs
Of life. and was glad to see ms member
of the Presbyterian church. = Though a
Baptist. he yearly sent . load of hay to
every preacher and priest in Salem"
You made temperance addresses"
said. "and often spoke at Sunday school
during your student days at Jackson
Vile"
That Is true. I have always tried to
be interested actively in religious work.
l have never tasted Intoxicating liquor as
. beverage"
And your Christian character" said,
regardless Of your ability as . public
man, has increased the respect which the
American people have for you"
"As to that" Mr.. Bryan answered, II
am no Judge. But character Is at the
bottom of all lasting success in politics"
'.Were there any lean days in Lincoln
at frstr'
"Oh. yes: but built up a paying busl-
ness in Lincoln. as I had done in Jack
sonville. was twenty-seven years old.
and meant to carry out my purpose and
diligently apply myself to the practice
Of law. ] was Democrat. however, and,
wanting to help my party. began making
speeches. Eight months after going to
Lincoln was sent to Omaha and assisted
in choosing delegates TO the national con-
vention which was to be held In st. Louis
that year. ! also made a tariff speech
which gave me some prominence through
out the State. In 1883 was offered and
declined the nomination Of lieutenant
governor. You see L was serious in my
plan to keep out Of ONCE and stick to my
profession.
THE following year. however. I was
nominated for Congress. II was believed
that the district was strongly Republi-
can. Indeed. I was described as an in
nocent stranger on whom the Democrats
had thrust an empty II not a cruel honor.
1 was called the Boy Orator OF the Platte
and my candidacy greatly amused the
Republicans. Well. I made the fight.
had not abandoned my intention to prac-
tice law. but the tocularity of the Re-
publicans caused me to undertake a for
lorn hope with more energy than would
have been the case. perhaps. had my op-
ponents shown less hilarity. I made
what is known as a speaking campaign.