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| William Jennings Bryan |
Many of you will remember from school that Bryan ran
unsuccessfully for President three times - in 1896, 1900 and 1908 - and that he
later served as U.S. Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson from
1913 to 1915.
Nicknamed “The Great Commoner,” Bryan was generally
considered to be the best-known lecturer and public speaker of his time due to
his wide travels and deep, commanding voice. He is also considered to be one of
the first “celebrity politicians” and is regarded as one of the greatest
orators in American history.
According to a story in the April 11, 1918 edition of The Wilcox
Progressive Era, the 58-year-old Bryan “addressed an audience in Camden on Monday
afternoon last on the High School campus, in behalf of the National Prohibition
Amendment. Mr. Bryan was preceded by Mr. Brooks Lawrence, who made a very
effective talk. Mr. Bryan was introduced by Hon. J.M. Bonner in a very
effective and eloquent style.
“With a few remarks along patriotic lines, Mr. Bryan
launched into a discussion of the prohibition question. His remarks were
eloquent and with unerring logic and convincing truth, he laid bare the folly
of the claims of the liquor traffic for consideration of the voter. He
presented two very important facts, facts which might well be noted by those
who are accustomed to gauge their convictions on the basis of the two leading
newspapers opposing ratification.
“That he would bitterly oppose the issue at this time if it
hampered in the least the war activities of the United States. He told of the
efforts of the saloons to place their liquors within reach of our boys at the
training camps and aviation schools, thereby proving their regard for their
business paramount to the nation’s welfare. He also stated, and also Mr.
Lawrence, that he did not receive one penny compensation for his services, but
that his returns for services were derived in the pleasure he had in battling
for the safety of the home and in behalf of the children.”
The newspaper noted that “regardless of the bad roads and
unfavorable weather preceding, hundreds of people were on hand to great the
distinguished speaker and the effectiveness of his address was shown the close
attention of all throughout the speech. His exposition of the state right’s
plea completely shattered this line of defense, and we know of several who came
to the meeting with that as their plea who left determined to join the ranks of
forces of righteousness. Many of the most prominent citizens of the county were
present, and the seed sown no doubt will bear fruit in the coming campaign.”
In the years after his visit to Camden, Bryan remained in
the limelight as one of the leading proponents of Prohibition. He was also
heavily involved in the famous 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial in Tennessee. Five
days after that trial ended, and seven years after his noteworthy visit to Camden,
Bryan passed away at the age of 65 while taking an afternoon nap at his home in
Dayton, Tenn. He was later buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
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