The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-08-13


and 5000 is conservative figure at which
the number can be placed. The great
mass of sweltering humanity crowded on
pox cars and flooded everything in sight.
The platform was covered and surround.
ing territory for several blocks was one
sea Of faces and everywhere an expression
Of expectant pleasure was noted.
The big Thayer band occupied big flat
car. The car was also used by the re.
porters.
Standing upon car of coal in the rear
Of the speakers car, and high up where
all could see it, was huge banner, upon
which was the following words in plain
type "Billy Bryan: The future honor
and integrity of the nation must be pre-
served" Underneath these words was a
handsome portrait of Major Mckinley,
and then: 1--WE will rally to the support
of our dear old comrade," and then the
name OF an utterly unknown organiza-
tion: 1.-THE Union Veteran and Patriotic
League Of Canton" was attached. The
placing Of such an inscription at such a
time and place was in the wretche1 taste
so often exhibited by the coterie Of
narrow minded local fellows who pose
for politicians, but succeed in doing moth
ing but showing their fragrant assininity.
When the train bearing the boy Orator
of thePlatte" came putting into the sta
tion the vast mblege arose on tip-toe
and with wave of handkerchiefs,
umbrellas and hats, mighty shout went
up, and the crowds surged toward the
rear platform like one great tidal wave.
At the same time a rush was made for
the offensive banner and in less time
than 1t takes to indite these lines, it was
torn to shreds and the fragments were
scattered to the free winds Of heaven. The
frame upon which the canvas was
stretched was broken into splinters, and
hurled into space A fat youth whu stood
guard over the banner, seized chunk of
coal from the car and threw 1t at one of
the men, who assisted in destroying the
banner. He was quickly placed hors de
combat by stiff punch In tho stomach,
however, and all was again serene.
A young man with the fresh blood Of
liberty coursiDg through his veins and
who was one of the first to tear the indis-
Greet utterance from It's pedestal, grabbed
shred Of the canvas and presented 1t to
Mrs. Bryan, who occupied the car with
her husband. The handsome distin-
guished woman, Of course, did not under
stand what 1t was, but accepJed the rag
with bow. The youth had scarcely
stepped from the car when stylishly
dressed young lady stepped forward and
presented Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan with a
large bunch of sweet-scented tea roses,
sweet peas, mignonettes and other
beautiful flowers. The lady said, In
a sweet voice, that all the flowers that
grow in Canton are not for Mr.. Nc
Kinley. She received the gracious smile
and thanks of the coming lady OF the
White House, and then she disappeared
In the crowd.
When the train hove In sight down by
the Aultman works, the crowd set up
cheer and the band struck up the
American Guard" to the tune of
America, which was drowned by the
cheers from thousands Of throats. II was
necessary to switch the car, upon which
Mr.. Brayn was standing, and while that
was being done, the party quietly got
onto fat car, where the band was sta
toned.
AS the crowd caught sight OF Mr.. Bryan
the cheers that went up were deafening,
ciealry showing tho sentiment that pre-
walls In Canton and vicinity.