The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-08-13

one by one in quick succession, and
when they came to understand their
full meaning and effect, resentment
turned to wrath and protest rose into
revolt. Then began within the Demo-
cratic party one of the most remark
able struggles that have ever occurred
in the political history of this coun-
try. 1t was struggle for mastery be-
tween the National administration
and the great masses of plain people
who constitute the party which Great
ed that administration. The prize they
fought for was the National conven-
ton. That convention was to deter
mine whether the Democratic party
should abide by the traditions of the
fathers and adhere to it's ancient faith,
whether it should obsequiously aban-
don the principles of true Democracy
and become a plaint agent to advance
the mercenary ends of an insolent
plutocracy. The people won. They
won a glorious victory. The full sig
nificance of their. triumph cannot be
estimated at glance. Suppose they
had lost, what then? Suppose they
Chicago convention had followed the
serTile example of the Republican CON
Fention, what then? If that had hap
pened what hue would the skies now
reveal to the uplifted eyes of anxious
millions? Would the star of hope
then have risen luminous to the meri-
dian or have fallen with waning light
upon a clouded horizon? Upon what
staff would the toiling millions in
field and shop then have rested their
tired hands? What bulwark of defence
would have then stood between the
great industrial and producing classes
who constitute the solid strength and
safety of the State, against the COM
bined aggressions of foreign money
changers and Anglicized American
millionaires? Upon what rock would
the defenders Of the Consti-
tion, the champions of Amer
lean ideas base their hopes
for the future? The paramount ques-
ton before the country was and is
Shall this great Republic confess finan-
eial servitude? Servitude TO England
or act Independently for itself"
The voice of the Chicago conven-
ton, Mr.. Stone continued" was the
voice of true democracy. For a leader
they chose one of their own. a plain
man of the people. His whole life and
llfe-work idemsify him in sympathy
$500
the great industrial forces of the coun-
try. Among them he was born and
reared, and has lived and wrought. all
the days of his life. To their cause he
has devoted all the splendid powers
with which God endowed him. He has
been their constant and fearless cham
pt0n. They know him. They trust him.
SuaFe, yet firm gentle. vet dauntless
warm-hearted, yet deliberate: conf
dent and self-poised, but yet without
vanity; learned in books and statecraft.
but without pedaptFy or pretence; a
superb orator, yet a man of the great
est caution and methods; equipped
with large experience in public affairs.
he is true to his convictions, true TO
himself and false to no man. William
). Bryan is model American gen
tleman, and PEERLESS leader of the
people. This man is our leader. I'm
der his banner and guided by his wis
dom, we viii go forth to conquer.
have no doubt of victory. 1T is as sure
10 come as the rising Of the sun. and it
will come like a sunburst scattering
the mists, and the nation. exultant and
happy, will leap forward like a giant
refreshed to that high destiny it was
designed to accomplish This man
viii be President. His administration
will be shining epoch in our history,
for he will leave behind him a name
made illustrious by great achievements
and by deeds that viii embalm him for
ever in the hearts and memory of his
countrymen."
Addressing Mr.. Bryan, Mr. Stone
said:
''Alr Bryan, esteem it great honor,
as it is most certainly a pleasure. to
be made the instrument of informing
you, as | now do, that you were nomi-
mated for the President of theaUnited
States by the Democratic National con
yention which assembled at Chicago
in July last. | hand you this formal
notice of your nomination accompa-
MED by a copy of the platform adopted
by the convention, and upon that plat
form | have the honor to request your
acceptance of the nomination tender
ed. You are the candidate Of the Dem
ocratic party, but You are more than
that-you are the candidate of all the
people without regard to party who
live in the purposes your election is in
tended to accomplish. This battle
must he fought upon ground high
above the level of partiSanship. | hope
of America and American manhood. In
saying this l but repeat the expressed
wish of the convention which nominat-
ed you. Do this, and though You will
not have millions of money art your
command, YOU win have millions OF
sturdy Americans at your back. Lead
on. and we Will follow. Who viii not
follow here is unworthy t2 lead in
any cause Lead on with u1faltering
step, and may Gods blessing attend
you and His omnipotent hand crown
YOU with success
Turning to the Presidential candi-
date, who sat at his elbow as he finish
ed, his speech with the formal address
to Mr.. Bryan, the Missouri Governor
placed in the Nebraskan's hand roll
or parchment bearing the notification
proper. Ten minutes of chaos follow
ed. Bryan stood alone at the front of
the stage with outstretched hand ask
ing for silence, while his audience
stood on their chairs cheering fiercely
and repeatedly, and shouting his name