The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-02
REPUBLICAN DEFENSE OF
BRYAN

The republicanism of the Spring
field, (Mass.,) Republican scarcely
can be questioned, for it was ably and
conscientiously advocating true re-
publican principles long before many
of the partisan republican neWspa-
pers of the present day had come in
to existence.
But the Springfield journal is far
from being narrowly partisan, and it
never descends to the petty politics
of attacking prominent democrats
merely in the hope of gaining a party
advantage.
The Republican has been moved to
come to the defense of Secretary Bry-
an because of the stream of detract-
ion put in against him by reckless Op-
pOnents of the Wilson administration
which hope to weaken the president
through unjust criticism of his lead
ing cabinet officer
The famous New England paper
contrasts the Bryan of fiction" oft
en- represented as "a lazy shirk, +"
with the real Bryan, whom it credits
with a high degree of patriotic devo-
ton to duty and with remarkable
industry. 1t says its information is
from a most trustworthy personal
source at Washington, but not from
democrat or a person in any way
connected with the Wilson admins
tration.
Here are few of the fine things
said by the Republican in its tribute
to the secretary, with particular re-
lation to his public services at the
outbreak of the present war in Eu-
rope;
Through that time the much lam
pooned Chautauqua orator was at his
desk in the state department far in
to each night. More than that, he ac-
cepted the desire of the bankers to be
of public service as no less whole
hearted and sincere than his own,
and he was ready and glad to rely up
on them implicitly and unreserverly
in those matters in which he recog-
nized that they were experts and that
he was not.
when certain other cabinet Off
GERS whose departments were involv-
ed inclined to interpose red tape, it
was Mr.. Bryan who rose to his role
as leader saved Mr.. Wilson trouble
assumed responsibility and put
things through,
'In all this he was doing no more
than he ought to have done, but the
thing is that he did it,
And the impression left was not on
ly of his industry and helpfulness,
but of distinct ability in men under
him, some of whom, it is true, hap
pen to be republicans and some of
whom are not"
With reference to the criticism
that Bryan is not fitted to fill the role
of minister in conventional manner,
the Republican aptly retorts that the
same sort of criticism was made of
concerning the presidency.
fter"declaring that it is not pos
sible to point out any capital failure
by Bryan in the state department, the
closes its tribute in these
cordial words:
"Mr. Bryan as the long recogniz- |
ed spokesman of the radical element |
in the democratic party, has been of |
yaule to Mr.. Wilson and |
20 the country. He has held the rad |
Gals in line, and made it possible for
he administration to avoid party dis
upton and to put through pro-
gram of legislation that is progress
We and at the same time conserva-
lively constructive, as most notably !
represented by the banking and cur
ency law"
All of which is true.
And yet the organs of the corpor
tie interests and privilege seem never
0 tire Of attacking Bryan and Of
fforts to misrepresent ind belittle
i'm. Sacramento (Cal.) Bee,