The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-10-04
wEAvERl
The Greatest Demonstration Ever Seen
at a Political Meeting at Raj
eigh-Eight Thousand
People in Line.

- at EO44SACSA @4C(SS
eigh-Eight Thousand
People in Line.
The greatest crowd of farmers ever
seen at Raleigh rode through her streets
last Thursday. The backbone of the
country was here in a countless guam
tity. Weaver and Mrs. Lease were the
drawing card. The faces of the local
politicians-already long-grew longer
as they witnessed the hundreds and
thousands go by. Perhaps not over a
dozen Democrats from the surround
ing country were here. Only a few of
the people of the city turned out, but
the ~hayseeders who are for home and
country were here. Even the most
hopeful of the reformers did not expect
such a crowd.
The egg singing party had busted
itself for a week spreading the news
that Weaver would not be here; that
he had abandoned the canvass and
gone North. This was done quietly
but systematically. It failed to a large
extent. Probably many others, who
were confused by these reports, would
have come had they been sure he
would arrive. But enough were here.
The record was broken About all
who could get in hearing distance of
the speakers came. Such a crowd of
farmers were v seen here, and will
not be soon again, They came to see
the next President. They came to see
a candidate that is of the people, for
the people and by the people, a candi
date that is pledged to equal rights to
all and special privileges to none, the
first of the kind since the war.
The patriots began to arrive Wednes-
day. All night long they came by
train, in wagons, buggies and on
horseback. By 9 o'clock Thursday
morning the marshals could be seen
fitting about with badges on and also
sashes made of cotton bagging, some
of the bagging left over after the jute
bagging trust was whipped. Still they
came. But not until Gen. Weaver en-
tered a carriage in front of his hotel
and the procession began to form did
the great size of the crowd become ap-
parent. Without music of any kind,
save the throobing of their OWL hearts,
the great host fell into line Wagons
full of men, both white and colored,
buggy after buggy and many horse
men fell into line. An immense crowd
of foot cavalry formed beside and be-
hind the carriage containing the distin-
guished speakers. The streets and
buildings were lined with on-lookers,
both friends and foes politically
Hon. A.. G. Green was chief marshal
and rode in front. Capt. John Smith
carried an immense flag in front of the
multitude. Then began the march
to Brookside Park. Cheers from
thousands of threats rent the air.
But few were under the influence of
whiskey. 1t was a sober, orderly
crowd, but enthusiastic. Many of the
wagons contained from five to ten peo-
pie, and some of the buggies had two
and three men. The horsemen rode
from four to six abreast. Some idea
can be given of the size of the process
sion when it is a fact that it was close
ly packed and reached from the
Graded School, at the foot Of South
Fayetteville street, almost to Brook
side Park, fully II miles. 1t was an
inspiring scene. Several Democrats
said ''they didn't know there were so
many Third party men in the State. :"
1t is safe to say that between four and
five thousand rode in the parade.
There are many estimates of the mum
Der of. visitors present. The city pa
pers have been informed by some ro-
mancers that the crowd numbered
about 1000. Such absurd guessing has
rarely been seen. Conservative esti-
mates place the number at 1900 and
5000. Many say there were 5000 or
10, 900. The pavilion at the Park was
full. The crowd in front of the speaker
was about so deep and 100 wide from
right to left, standing as close as men
can stand. That would make at least
1000. With several hundred in the
pavilion and a constant changing,
coming-and going element, there was
not less than 10, 600 people in hearing
of the speakers.
THE SPEECHES.
About II 80 Chairman Wilson intro
duced Gen. Weaver as ''thenext Presi-
dent of the United States" There was
prolonged cheering. Gen. Weaver
was much fatigued by constant travel
ing sneakinp and handshaking. but