AUTHOR'S PREFACE. In the services to the nation of Abraham Lincoln, the rail-splitter; of James A. Garfield, the canal-boy; of James G. Blaine, the school-master; of the hosts of men, who have risen from poverty and obscurity to place and power, the splendid possibilities of American citizenship have been amply demonstrated. It is with these possibilities that this little book has to do. For it no literary merit is claimed. It goes to the public as the simple and hastily-written life-history of one who, unaided by inherited wealth, or environment, other than that of the great common people with whom he has cast his lot, has risen from obscurity to world-wide fame. This book deals with facts, not surmises or idle compliments. It is not intended as a feather in the plume of knighted hero, or banner upon the wall of moated castle. Its only purpose is to familiarize the people of to-day with one who, by force of ability, and unswerving honesty, has, like the martyr, Lincoln, won his way to fame. Lincoln said that he knew that God loved the common people because He made so many of them. William Jennings Bryan has manfully fought their battles, un dismayed by organized opposition, and unswerved by temptations of place and power. The honors that have come to him have come because the people have recognized in him the nearest approach to that high ideal of the Christian statesman, which was held up by the founders of the Republic to be the guide of future generations. To the cause of popular government, represented by its ablest defender-William J. Bryan-this book is respectfully dedicated. R. L. METCALFE |