illing to return to the ranks of the Republicans.
So they decided to cast their lot with the Populist party, which in the
meantime had made its appearance upon the field of political activity.
While the Democratic party remained the minority party in the State, it
was seldom that the Republicans could poll more votes than the Democrats
and Populists combined, and since, under the then leadership of the
Democratic party in the State, that party and the Populist stood
practically for the same things, it was not difficult to bring about
fusion of the two parties against the Republicans. This gave the
Fusionists control of the State Government for a number of years.

In the meantime a brilliant, eloquent and talented young man had come
upon the stage of political activity. This man was William J. Bryan. His
first entry into public life was his election to Congress as a Democrat
from a Republican district. While a member of the House he made a
speech on the tariff question which gave him national fame. As a speaker
William Jennings Bryan has always been plausible and captivating. He can
clothe his thoughts in such beautiful and eloquent language that he
seldom fails to make a favorable impression upon those who hear him. It
was this wonderful faculty that secured him his first nomination for the
Presidency. His name was hardly thought of in connection with the
nomination by that convention. In fact his right to a seat as a member
of the convention was disputed and contested. But, after he had
delivered his cross of gold and crown of thorns speech before that body,
he carried the Convention by storm. His nomination was then a foregone
conclusion.

It was under the leadership and chiefly through the influence of Mr.
Bryan that the fusion between the Democrats and the Populists of his
State was brought about. But for his advocacy of Free Silver and his
affiliation with the Populists, he might have reached the goal of his
ambition. The result of the election showed that while he commanded and
received the support of not less than eighty per cent of his own party,
the remaining twenty per cent proved to be strong enough to insure his
defeat. In fact the business interests of the country were almost solid
against him; and it is safe to say that no man can ever hope to become
President of the United States who cannot at least divide the
substantial and solid business interests. The business men were
apprehensive that the election