The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-05-05
As Others See 1t
MR.. RRYANs DECISION
(Ocala Banner.

Now that Mr.. Bryan has declined to enter the
race for the office of United States senator from
Florida the best thinking people of the state are
beginning more and more to realize that great
opportunity awaited Florida il this man so pos
sessed of wonderful parts and influence could
have entered that body-how useful he would
have been to the state and to the nation.
We feel degree of pride in being able to say
the discussion his suggested entrance into the
precipitated, supporter of his said
word in derogation of Mr.. Trammelrs public rec
ord private character.
Their comments concerning him were along
lines of heightened and commendable journalism
and without exception couched in terms OF
gentility and the utmost courtesy
We wish it were possible to make the same OBJ
servation concerning the comments Of those who
were antagonistic to Mr. Bryan's entering the
race.
Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Bryan was
three times anointed the leader Of our National
Democracy; that most of the principles he enun-
ciated the cardinal principles of the party have
since been enacted into laws he nevertheless
denounced as illogical, visionary and unsound
What are the things he stood for?
That the gold standard would not fix the unit
of values or stabilize the international exchange
of moneys or perform the functions its advocates
so holly contended.
When put to the test it is that the
gold standard as financial panacea is deplor-
able failure.
What else did Mr. Bryan stand for?
The election of United States senators by di-
rect vote OF the people. That is now the law of
the land
Woman suffrage. Marvellous as it may seem
that has also been enacted into law.
Prohibition more marvellous still, forms part
of the federal constitution.
Anti-imperiaism world democracy.
When secretary of state Mr.. Bryan secured the
signatures of the diplomats of thirty nations to
sign peace treaties embodyng the fundamental
essence contained in the Versailles and Wash
ington treaties.
He was not only called illogical visionary ana
unscund, but made the target of much
strained wit and unmerited and undignifed iibes.
His name was associated with those of Debs,
PCnzi and others of unsavory repute; he was de-
scribed as possessing noisy and disturbing
tongue and a brazen cheek
Great and unwarranted familiarity taken
with his name. He was called Grape Juice Bill"
and other familiarities equally undignifed and
belittlng.
In reading some of the diatrbes of our contem-
porares we felt that could hardly do other
wise than hang our head in very shame.
But we were reminded that the Father Of his
Country in reading what the critics of his day
said of him, made him sick at heart and caused
him to say that if he had been an ordinary gam
bier or pickpocket he could not have been more
coarsely or severely censured.
So history is but repeating itself Minnows do
not hesitate to nibble and bite at whales
We call to mind the lines OF Byron;
He who ascends to mountainous shall find
The Hottest peaks most wrapped in clouds and
snow;
He who surpasses subdues mankind
Must look down on the hate of those below"