A passage from the Prairie Populist.

A passage from the Prairie Populist.

Much is often made of William Jennings Bryan's religion. The image most contemporary Americans hold of him, if they have an impression at all, is likely derived from the caricature of Bryan in old age in the film "Inherit The Wind," about the infamous Scopes Trial. Given the depth of his Christian fervor, these words about the role of religion in public life seem particularly instructive and, given the news of the day, particularly apt…

"Democracy knows no creed = recognizing the right of each individual to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience; it welcomes all to a common brotherhood and guarantees equal treatment to all, no matter in what church or through what forms they commune with their Creator."

William Jennings Bryan,
Democrat

(Unsatisfying to atheists, perhaps, but as hard as it is to find one (or a professed one, at any rate) in public life to day, it was unimaginable in 1896 when these words were delivered. As appalled as Bryan may have been by such a profession, however, I think his respect for the right of conscience would have trumped his dismay.)