Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1915-06-25

Mr.. Bryan never had anything tc
gain by accepting place in the cabl,
net.
1t was a step downward. He was
greater as the great commoner than
as secretary of state.
Financially the taking of the place in
the cabinet involved great sacrifice.
Within day or so after the news
had been made public that he had &C
copied the portfolio, the writer had
talk with him. Eyes, " said he, "l'm
going into the cabinet. Mr.. Wilson has
asked me to do so, and can find no
valid reason for refusing.
1t was plain, however, that he was
quite conscious of the problems he
might be facing. 1t was plain that he
had sought for good reasons for asking
to be excused, and found none.
He made Wilson president. He
wanted Wilson'S administration to be
success. He felt that if he could do
anything in the cabinet to assist in
making successful this first democratic
administration in many years, he ought
to do it. l am perfectly certain that
he went into the cabinet from sense
of duty to the man he had done so such
to make president, duty to his party,
and duty to his country.
Now that he has stepped out
though not down, by any means-let
it be recorded that he has helped Will
son unselfshly and powerfully. Does
anyone suppose that the party meas
ures which constitute the record on
which democrats will go before the
country in 1916 could have been passed.
without the presence in Washington of
the man to whom so many democrats
had looked FOR nearly twenty years as
leader? Bryan has given the presi-
dent faithful, loyal, powerful service.
Today, he should stand higher in the
respect of his countrymen than ever
before. Those rancorous pens which
are writing Good Radiance of
bad rubbish" are welded by man who
fail to realize that the act Of giving up
a great Office for the sake of a belief is
an admirable thing. 1t is not so COM
mon a thing in this country that we
can afford to deny ourselves the prlvi-
lege of approaching it.
Bryan is too old a politician not to
have known that his action would make
him the target for every unthinking
and rancorous tongue and pen in the
nation. He knew it would divide his
frie1d-, and that for once his ensmies
would speak with one tongue.
Was he right in his difference of
opinion with Wilson? l do not think
80. 1t is difference Of judgment as
to what policy is most likely to bring
us into the war. Both men wish to
avoid war; but they differ as to means
Of doing so.
believe that the judgment of Will
son and the rest of the cabinet is best.
I believe that Bryan's principles re-
garding peace through international
forbearance, arbitration, investigation,
delay for year and the like are such
as to unfit him for diplomacy in these
days when treaties are only scraps Of
paper and the rights Of neutrals are as
chaff in the balance.
But Bryan was true to his principles,
as he has always been.
He is again the great commoner.
Whether his greatness shall grow or
decline depends upon how he uses his
newly regained freedom. The people
are with Wilson; but the claims of ar
bitration and the pacific position gen.
orally should have spokesman. They
will have one in Mr.. Bryan. God
grant him wisdom in what he shall
say!-Herbert Quick.
1ova Demoerafs Meet.