Omaha daily bee., 1920-01-16
In Panoply of High Courage
From the Kansas City Star.

Whatever may be said Of Mr.. Bryan's lead
ership in his party it never has wanted the
quality OF courage, and that, it must be said, is
one OF the very highest qualities with which
leadership can be endowed,
Mr.. Bryan exhibited that quality when ne
went to the democratic love feast in Washing
ton, and under the shadow of the White House,
and before gathering unmistakably under ad-
ministraton influences took issue with the
presidents chief policy and raised standard of
party rebellion against a democratic senate
minority. That wasn't the action OF mere
politician trimming to the wind. It wasn't a
popular or expedient action 1t wasn't the re-
suit of temper, impulse or hasty judgment: Mr..
Bryan did it deliberately with full knowledge
that his hearers would be hostile, and fore
warned that message from the president would
be read calling democrats to an opposite course.
He came prepared to do what he did, read his
challenge to the White House from carefully
written manuscript and frorted the storm
Whether it was good politics or bad IS be-
side the question. 1t was courageous and that
is something that quite transcends the results
of all political tactics In the long run courage
is always good politics. 1t may react upon Mr..
Bryan in the first instance, as similar dehances
of his have before, but in the retrospect this is
to be observed-Mr. Bryan began his career
by taking his courage in his hand Is years ago
and has been power in his party ever since.
Perhaps when a man has made that record
OF consistently courageous opposition to the
most powerful-and often triumphant influences
in his own party it's time to stop inquirng
admit his motive is to maintain honest and in
dependent thinking for himself and uncontrolled
political action by his party, when he believes
the influences seeking to control it are leading
it to disaster.
What Mr.. Bryan did in Washington this
week he did in Baltimore in 1912. He went to
Baltimore instructed for Champ Clark along
with the rest Of the Nebraska delegation. And
he voted for Champ Clark steadfastly until the
New York delegation controlled by Murphy
and Ryan and Belmont swung to the Mis-
sourian. Then Bryan rebeed. He saw what
its then probable nominee into bad hands, and
he took the platform with his fighting face and
told the convention he was through with Clark
That took courage. Only IS of the Nebraska
delegation stood by him. More than 500 Clark
delegates on the foor-nore than majority of
the convention-tried to below him down. But
when Bryan thinks he is right he is rock upon
which hostility merely shivers itself. He stood
there and made that convention hear the resolu-
ton he presented to the Nebraska delegation,
against further support Of Clark. and then ad-
mtted in the teeth Of all the bowling storm that
the delegation had refused to adopt it unan-
imously. That magnificent display of courage
and candor was unique, perhaps, in conventions
annals. Its result was not Immediately appar-
ent, but in a few more ballots it was seen. The
SHOCK OF the last LARK charge SnlVered tSel1
and receded, and over the scattered wreckage
advanced the Princeton line.
Mr.. Bryan is again convinced that the demo-
cratic party is in hands that cannot lead it to
victory. He does not believe his party can go
to the people on the treaty issue and win. Be-
lieving so he says so, and invites the storm.
Right or wrong, it is for democrats to Judge
hn,-and then events will Judge democrats.
But as long as men admire courage and indie
pendence and the willingness to go against
great odds for the sake Of conviction, Mr.. Bryan
will not lack acclaim nor courage its tribute.