St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-11-13
BRYAN.
In the Hour Of Defeat and His Plans for the
Future.


campaign and his defeat like stole. w
take few extracts from the New Yorl
Worlds correspondent at Lincoln t.
show how the young leader received TIN
election returns:
All day Wednesday Lincoln was Z
scene OF fierce excitement. In the middl,
OF the afternoon an irregular mob, head
ed by brass band, marched to Mr.
Bryan's house He simply looked out o.
the window and shook his head. One o.
Mr.. Bryan's neighbors displayed por.
trait of the leader, iringed with blacl;
Grape. Mr.. Bryan sho owed no emotion.
1t is hard to convey an adequate idea
OF the strength and camness OF this man
without seeming to exaggerate the facts.
The wonder is that such a phenomenal
personality should haYe remained so
long undiscovered.
Last night while the whole country
was thralled with the passions of the
great struggle he went to bed and slept
quietly. At that moment the fate of the
country trembled in the balance; in
few moments he might know that he
had been elected to the greatest political
office on earth. The battle of the returns
was at its height. His house was a vor-
tex OF excitement, yet in the heart of all
he went to sleep.
His wife hung over him, white faced
and anxious Millions of men were stand
ing in the streets of cities and towns
waiting to know the result. But Mr..
Bryan was willing to wait until N ornng.
Visitors came in. They were grave,
uneasy men, who asked for news. Mr..
Bryan had none to give. He laughed
and cracked Jokes. There was not sign
OF care on his face. On all sides were
emblems of the great campaign, especial
ly rabbits feet. He stretched himself out
full length and clasped both hands under
his head. His eyes twinkled with
humor.
In the afternoon Mr. Bryan put on his
cutaway coat and went out to attend
the funeral of Mr.. Tipping, CONNER
cial traveller who was killed on Monday
by the traincarryingJ John P. Irish, which
was chasing the silver leader from town
to town through the state. Mr.. Tip
pling was an active free-silver worker
and old friend. Mr.. Bryan left the house
OH this very solemn errand and at the
very time when decisive news from Indi-
ana and Michigan was expected.
1t was another illustration of his iron
serve.
Not a single decisive message reached
Mr.. Bryan Wednesday night, although
kilograms Astounding in adjectives and
congratulations showered from all points.
t was an evening ofdomestic tranquility,
carcely interrupted by ripple of excite.
nent. Just before 10 o'clock Mr.. BRYAN
vent to bed.
The first intimation that Chairman
ones had given up the fight reached Mr..
Bryan at 8 o'clock Thursday evening.
DR.. and Mrs. Bryan were out walking
nd were told of the report on their
eturn. They sat down and talked
leasantly waiting for an official message
-om headquarters. 1t soon came and
DR.. Bryan then sat down at the big oak
esk at which he works and began writ
lg a message of congratulation to his
ictorious opponent, Mrs. Bryan lean
,g over his shoulder as his pencil went
yer the paper.
Mr., Bryan paused once during the
rriting to tell humorous story, apro-
os of remark made by one of those
bout him. i
There appeared to be nothing forced G
bout the pleasant manner of the young i
Official leader He seemed actually $
Apply that the strain was over. ;
Mr.. BRYAN stated that he did not care q
} say anything about the result of the
ection, but, in response to question
5 to whether he thought McKinleys
ecton was a blow to the cause of
he responded:
"The fight has just commenced" Is
Following is Mr.. Bryan's telegram of CT
and Mr.. McKinley's d
ply. Bryan's was sent at S.25 Thurs b
~ evening and McKinley's at noon T
riday. "
Hon. William Mckinley, Canton, o.: I
Senator Jones has just informed me
at the returns indicate your election,
Id l hasten to extend my congratula- b
ons. We have submitted the issues to d
c American people, and their will is T
w. WILLIAM ]. BRYAN. o.
Hon. w. ]. Bryan, Lincoln, Neb; II
the receipt Of your courtc- :.
IS message of congratulation with =
anks, and beg you will receive my best
shes for your health and happiness.
(Signed) VIM. MCKINLEY. A.
Friday Mr.. Bryan received telegram h Ia
I'm Siegel, Cooper & Co., of New York, re
ering him $4,000 a year to take
arge of their law department Bryan
1T the following reply: \