The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-08-07
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Sudden Death of w. J.
Bryan Shocks the Coun-
try-His Burial in
Arlington.
By EDWARD W. PIcKARD

p y
.TNInLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN,
w one of the most notable figures
in American public life, has passed on
to another world, and his body now
lies In Arlington National cemetery
a consistent disciple of peace surround
ed by the tombs of those who died in
the armed service of their country.
But he belongs there, for he was not
a '.pacificist'' in the Objectionable sense
Of the term, and when the nation went
to war with Spain he held a commits
sion as colonel and raised regiment
in Nebraska.
The sudden death of Mr.. Bryan in
Dayton, Tenn, where he had just won
a temporary battle against the theory
Of evolution, came as shock to the
country, and indeed to the world, for
he was known in all lands. He died
while he slept, of apoplexy aggravated
by Indigestion. He was sixty-flve
years old. After the holding of me-
mortal services in Dayton the body was
transported in special train to Wash
ington. There, in the New York Ave
nue. Presbyterian church, the funeral
rites were celebrated on Friday, and
the casket on an artillery caisson and
escorted by military detail, was TAX
en- to Arlington where the War depart
ment officials had selected for the
burial a fine site near the Admiral
Dewey tomb. It was in this most
beautiful cemetery in the world that
Mr.. Bryan had expressed his desire to
be inferred.
1t would be presumptuous to under
take to characterize Bryan. There
can be but few Americans who have
not formed their own opinion of his
character and his work. He had a de-
voted following of hundreds Of thou
sands: host of persons knew him
personally and loved him; and every
one was familiar with his life record
and his views on all manner of topics.
Thrice nominated BY the Democratic
party for the Presidency. he virtually
controlled that party for years, and
though he lost that control in 1920 he
was still the leader Of a powerful fac
ton. Outside of politics his influence
on the life of the people was immense
AN emotional rather than an intellec-
tual influence. From President Cool
idge's telegram Of coincidence to Mrs.
Bryan may well be quoted these
phrases:
"Mr Bryan has been a prominent
! figure in public affairs for third of
century. He has been a leader in
the advocacy Of many moral reforms
and was. representative Of the effort
for purity in our political life. He was
endowed with the great gift of elo-
Quence,
'The sincerity of his motives was
beyond dispute. He was three times
chosen the head OF, great political
party and held the exalted office OF
secretary of state. His career is an
other example of what American op-
portunity affords to those who have
the will industriously to apply them
selves.
ut would be difficult to find among
his contemporaries any one with SO
large circle Of friends and acquaint.
ances who had so generously bestowed
upon him their esteem and confidence
BY direction Of the President, Sec.
rotary of State Kellogg announced Mr.
Bryan's death, and the flag was dis
played at half STAFF on all public build
ings in Washington on the day of the
funeral.
MEATH took another eminent Amer
- lean last week-Edgar A. Ban
croft, our ambassador to Japan. He
had been i'll for several weeks and dice
at Karuizawa, health resort
Throughout Japan the mourning fol-
Mr.. Bancroft was general and sincere
for he had endeared himself to the
Japanese people and was held in this
highest esteem by the officials there
Our own State department feels hi!
loss deeply. as do his many friends ant
admirers in the United States. Mr.
Bancroft, who was born in Gaiesburg