62 FAMOUS LIVING AMERICANS candidate himself and the loyal wif e, who was his most trusted lieutenant, the **Boy Orator of the Platte** was elected. In 1893 he was reelected. These four years gave the opportunity for effective service. As a result of his mastery of the new political issues, his courageous battles against predatory in- terests, Mr. Bryan rose to prominence as the apostle of rad- ical democracy. In 1893 and again the following year his party showed their confidence in him by making him their nominee for United States senator. Later as editor of the Omaha World-Herald he carried on the battle for progressive principles with a vigor that aroused consternation in the ranks of the reactionary enemy. To those who had followed Mr. Bryants career his nomina- tion to the presidency in 1896 caused no surprise. Indeed his selection for this high honor might well be denominated
- logical.** The bosses had endeavored to control the party
with a view to the continuation of sham battles over ancient issues. Contrary to former customs the delegates refused to be controlled. They demanded a progressive platform and an aggressive candidate. The times called for a man of sin- cerity, and one whose youth would insure endurance. Mr. Bryan had frequently been mentioned as an available candi- date for the presidency. His eloquent speech before the na- tional convention, having much of the dramatic force with which Patrick Henry defied the Tory of revolutionary days, won for him the nomination and raised him to the position of a national leader whose credentials came straight from the people over the protests of Wall Street buccaneers. Concern- ing the bitterness of the ensuing campaign little need be said. The unthinking imagined the issue to be between **free sil- ver** and the gold standard: thoughtful men, looking beneath the surface, recognized the fundamental diflferences rapidly dividing the people into hostile camps. Under such condi- tions defeat was inevitable. After the smoke of the first battle had cleared away, Mr. Bryan emerged as the undis- puted leader of progressive Democracy. The campaigns of 1900 and 1908 served to strengthen him in the affections of the
