Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-06-09
MR.. BRYAN'S
RESIGNATION.

nlngS Bryan as Secretary OF State
late yesterday and its immediate &C
ceptance by President Wilson was a
thunderbolt to the great majority OF
the American people. 1t came at a
time when it was supposed all mem
bers of the Presidents official fam
lily were unfolding his hands at this
critical ordeal in the country's his
tory. Divergence of opinion as to
how the United States should con-
duct it's relations with Germany for
sinking merchant vessels and drown
ing non-combattants is the reason
assigned for Mr.. Bryan's action. 1t
is unfortunate that such a break
should have occurred, but while Mr..
BRYAN has for long time been de-
ferred to by the democratic party
and his pacific policies may have
been in order heretofore, at this
i1ncture3 the country cannot be gov
erned on Chautauqua theories and
dreams. When the dove of peace shalt
have returned to the world, MI.
Bryan can close the temple OF Janus
and talk as long as me pleases about
the fatherhood of - God and the bro
therhood of man, but such vaporlngs
are not in order now when there is
an apparent intention on the part OF
Germany to treat with contempt the
Stars and Stripes, as she has the
flags of other nations. In short, 1t
is well for MIR. Bryan to step aside
at this time in order that Mr.. Will
son may have members of cabinet
who are in accord with his policies
and which are affirmed by the ma
jority of members of all parties.
During the part twenty years MI
Bryan has been d prominent hgure
in the United States.
He was born in Salem, Marion
county, ILL.,, March Is, 1860.
He displayed in his early years an
aptitude for oratory and he lost no
opportunity that presented him with
chance to exercise his vocal at
tainmentS.
MIR. Bryan in early manhood be-
came lawyer, but was not q sue
cess from monetary standpoint an"
he shone rather in social and polltl-
cal circles than in the courts.
The life of a lawyer did not SUIT
him. His ambition was politics. SO
mr. interested himself in the affairs OF
his community, taking the stump
upon issues that affected himself anu
his ncighbors. These oratorlaci cam
nairns were so. successful that the
managers of the Democratic party
in Nebraska became convinced mat
a new political star had risen, and III
1890 they gave him the nomination
tn Congress and he was elected. lie
succeeded himself in 1892, but de-
clined a third nomination, and sub
seouently entered the Journalistic
field.
Up to this time the career OF Mr..
BRYAN had been productive only oil
those rewards given to many men oil
ordinary ability and something more
than ordinary ioratorical brllllancy.
In 1896, however, he leapcd into the
spot light of publicity with sudden
ness which made him III single
dav one Of the most talked OF pubic
characters in the United States. Hi;
remarkable political metamorphoSiS
hinged upon speech delivered be-
fore the delegates of the Democratic
National Convention. This speech was
in advocacy of free silver and ended
with these two ringing phrases: You
shall not press down upon the brow
Of labor this crown of thornS. lo'
shall not cruelty mankind upon
ross of gold"
This address won him the Demo
,,ratic nomination to the presldenc!
in 1896 but he was defeated by VIII
liam Mckinley.
Shortly after this defeat the Span
sh-American War broke out ant
Bryan organized a regiment OF 'oi'
unteers. He became the colonei OF
the regiment in 1898, resignlng TINS
position to campaign against the an
nexasion Of the Philippines. ~ !:
In 1900. Mr.. Bryan's popularity
again swept all before it$at the Dem.
ocra5ic National Convention and hi
was nominated to head the ticket OF
his party for a second time. Here
assin, hepeve.. Re was dsfe2t'a