U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 177, 17 July 1908, Page 4

U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

THE DEMOCRATIC CHAMPION. "A MAN OF DESTINY." Mr. William Jennings Bryan, who has now been chosen for the third time to carry the Democratic banner at a Presidential election, was once described as a man of destiny, hut after two successive defeats for the Presidency oa the champion of free silver, it seemed as though his political sun had surely sunk below the horizon. When first selected by his party at the Chicago Convention in 1890, he was barely old enough to be eligible for the high office to which ho aspired. A famous speech brought him into the limelight, secured him the nomination, and wrote a new theory in the politics of a nation. During that campaign he travelled 18,000 miles, but he Was defeated. In 1900 he was again defeated, and stood aside in 1904 for Mr. Alton B. Parker.

Ami now the " man of destiny" is the selection for ISOB. With the weight of greater years on his shoulders, with "free silver" out of the bounds of practical politics, mid with Mr. Roosevelt

retired to private life, his chances for the White House arc very favourable indeed. Mr. Bryan was born at Salem, Illinois, on March 10th, 1880. In 1883 lie graduated from the Union College of Law, Chicago, and the following year married Miss Mary E. Baird, a charming and accomplished woman, whose heart is completely wrapped up in the ambitions of her distinguished husband. Since 18S7 Mr. Bryan has been a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska. He was a member ! of Congress in 1891-5, and was defeated for the Senate by Mr. John M. Thurston. From 1894 to 1890 he was editor of the Omaha World-Herald, and is now editor and proprietor of The Commoner. His publications include The first Battle and Under Other Flags. Replying to a letter some time ago, in

which he was asked if he would accept the nomination for President for a third time if it were tendered to him, Mr. Bryan wrote as follows:—"I have been

watching political developments, .and have noted with gratification the vindication of Democratic principles. I shall do I nothing to secure another nomination, and do not want one unless the conditions seem to demand it. I may add that I enjoy ihe freedom of private life, and feel that I can do something without holding any office. There are, however, certain reforms which I would very much like to see accomplished, and to assist in the accomplishment of these reforms I am willing to become ihe

party candidate again, if when the time for nomination arrives the advocates

of reform are in control of the party and think that my carididacy will give l the best assurance of victor}'. If someone else seems more available I shall be even better pleased. I need not asßiirc you that I am more interested in seeing our principles triumphant than I am in the personnel of the ticket. The country needs to have Jeffersonian democracy applied to all the departments of the Government, State and national, and 1 am content to make this application."