178 THE AGRARIAN CRUSADE 



Lyman Trumbull, one of the stanchest represent- 

 atives of independence in politics an independ- 

 ence which had caused him to break with the Demo- 

 cratic party over the slavery issue, and which, as 

 expressed in his vote against the impeachment of 

 President Johnson, had resulted in his retirement 

 to private life. To the young law student Trum- 

 bull took a particular fancy, and his dominating 

 personality exerted an abiding influence over the 

 character and career of his protege. 



After a brief period of law practice in Jackson- 

 ville, Illinois, Bryan removed with his family to 

 Lincoln, Nebraska. The legal profession never 

 held great attraction for him, despite the encour- 

 agement and assistance of his wife, who herself took 

 up the study of law after her marriage and was ad- 

 mitted to the bar. Public questions and politics 

 held greater interest for the young man, who had 

 already, in his college career, shown his ability as 

 an orator. Nebraska offered the opportunity he 

 craved. At the Democratic state convention in 

 Omaha in 1888 he made a speech on the tariff 

 which gave him immediately a state-wide reputa- 

 tion as an orator and expounder of public issues. 

 He took an active part in the campaign of that 

 vear, and in 1889 was offered, but declined, the 



