Daily Kennebec journal., 1925-07-28
AcoNsPlcuoUs FIGURE PASSES

AcoNsPIcUoUs FIGURE PASSES
Because William Jennings Bryan
lay down in the apparent fulness of
his powers and did not wake, his
title. "the Great Commoner". is more
secure than otherwise seems possi-
BILE. He had turned to rest from
triumphal appeals to an applauding
people, consciousness of which must
have been very dear to the heart Of
the great crusader, happiest when
crusading. Age had not weakened
the magic Of his voice nor sapped
his power of control over those who
came under his spell. Time had not
applied the gruelling test to his
cause.
He had entered upon the crusade
against the acceptance Of the con-
clusions Of scientific research. He
had not spared his energies as he
was advised by those acquainted
with the effects Of such a strain on
one Of his years. He assumed that
he was in the fullness Of his powers.
He wished to be and acted accord
ingly. The triumph of mind over
matter went to the limit, then the
laws of nature asserted control.
Facts are stubborn things; they may
not be swept utterly aside by zeal.
Zeal. Mr.. Bryan possessed in over
flowing measure. It usually was
directed along lines that make wide
appeal. At first 1t may seem
strange that whereas in early life he
voiced unrest under the restraints of
the accepted order Of things. that
his vision was Of radical measures
as distinguished from the conserva-
tive: that he so led a conservative
party from its moorings, strange
that at last he should enlist to do
battle with those insisting that
knowledge requires modification Of
former conceptions.
But IL 1t SO strange, after all?
Man II ever looking for a cure-all.
Bryan never seemed to give con-
alteration to any other remedy.
Free silver was his first. Miracles
afforded scope for his eloquence; it
seemed to some that his vision ever
was impatient Of metes and bounds
prescribed by facts. And by this. 1t
is not intended to doubt his honesty
Of purpose. Assuming that one first
deludes himself before applying his
burning zeal to the delusion of
others, this does not necessarily
imply dishonesty or lack Of convic-
ton.
Nor, however much we hold self
delusion in distrust. should we over
look the fact that it sometimes
exerts profound influence, not alto
gether mischievous. None Of the
sounding causes which he champion
ed did he bring to fulhlment. Will
son, whose nomination Bryan
secured, he could not dominate as
President. though in a sense re-
eponsible for the selection, and this
through no fault Of Mr.. Wilson.
The cares Of State irked Mr.. Bryan
and for these he demonstrated his
unfitness. The public platform was
his natural arena. There he sensed
his power, there he spread his in
duence. BY means Of that influence
with, force that probably has re-
suited in some beneficial modifi-
cations Of certain theories and pro-
grams. Even those who distrusted
Bryans conclusions and feared the
tmpracticability of his vision must
recognize that he has been an in
fiuential factor in national affairs
for the past thirty years.
That influence may not be expect
ed Immediately to pass with him.
The speech In which he proposed to
attack evolution was not delivered
at Dayton, but that does not signify
that it will remain unread. Yet IT.
never may reach the public con-
sciousness through the medium of
this great orators voice. Read. 1t
never may be as effective as it
might have been under the spell Of
his powerful delivery. Bryan the
crusader once impinged on the
retina will not quickly be forgotten.
Ardent followers will be inclined to
cherish that picture in their minds
eye, will fondly think Of him as the
Great Commoner", but the hypnot-
ism Of Bryan's personal presence and
prestige. these have departed. Al
clean. outstanding American citizen
q conspicuous figure amid the re-
markable shiftings of the scenes of
nearly third Of century, has step
ped from the stage. whereon the
shifting Of scenes goes on inter-
m!nably. But there will be many
who will sincerely mourn his
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