The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-07-24

n 4sSs9 si6 k1'V Old IIlANO1. slss
Another Denonstration Ct snlcas,
salcm, Ill, July IA. While hun.
dreds OF people who have come here
from all over this part Of the state
70 attend the Bryan celebration were
assembling in the court house yard to-
Gay big black cloud doomed up in
tne northwest. 1T approached with
irlghtful rnpidity. There were ter
rifle peals of thunder, and there wasa
scattering Of people In every direction
TO get out Of the fast-approachjng rain.
Many Of the people became panic
stricken, as they still had unpleasant
recol!ections Of the awful cyclone
which passed through this region a
lew weeks ago when st. Louis was al
most ruined. Many Of the teams
brought to town by formers became
frightened and tried to break loose
from the hitching racks about the
square, 80 that for time 1t looked
as II general stampede would result.
AZ length the rain broke, and it came
down In torrents. All the while there
was a continuous flashing of lightning,
followed by an uproariOus booming of
ssANAA0SAs Al u opuSS VI lcu lu1UUlGS
the bunting. flags and draping Of
buildings, which had looked SO at
tractfve In the morning, were bedrag-
gled and almost ruined. The storm
continued and the darkness increased
until it was almost impossible to see
across the streets, and in the houses,
lights became necessary. When it
had rained for almost fifteen minutes
fIQ HfNrsn "a TO
1t swept around to the north Of the
town, but the rain continued to fall.
In less than half an hour the storm
seemed to have spent itself and it
settled down to a steady rain. 1t was
an ordinary thunder storm, but of I'M
usual violence. and, owing to the dark
ness, 1t caused great deal of alarm.
Bryan Speaks.
In the afternoon about 5000 people
again gathered in the court house
ward and gave Mr. Bryan rousing
reception. The nominee spoke as fol.
lows
II have no disposition to talk poll
ties to-day. I shall leave the discus
sion Of party questions to those who
shall follow. Returning to the scenes
which surround my early home, the
memories Of other days crowd out oil
thoughts Of subjects upon which we
may differ. remember with grateful
appreciation the kindly feeling which
has abounded regardless of church
and party lines that shall not say q
word to divide upon my subject those
who are assembled here to-day. This
is the home of my birth, of my boy
hood and early manhood. Three blocks
south first saw the light of day. A
mile to the northwest lived until I
was twenty-three, and I shall never
cease to be grateful to the parents who
took me to and from the farm and
there allowed me to develop the phys
ical strength that Is needed in the
campaigns which we have to pass
through. 1t was in this court house
that first gained the ambition to be
a lawyer. 1t was in this court house
that l made the first political speech
I ever tried to make. 1t was in the
fair grounds. near here, that I spoke
for the first time on the Fourth of
July. 1t was to this city and to the
paternal roof that brought her who
had promised to share life's joys and
sorrows with me. And all Of these
happy associations arise to-day before
me aud leave me no desire to think of
other things. cannot forget Salem.
I cannot forget those whose kindly
faces smiled upon me before fortune
smiled. cannot forget this spot, near
by, the silence of the dead where the
ashes of the father whose upright life
has been an inspiration, and whose
counseis fingered in my ears when he
was gone; the spot where rest also
the ashes of a mother, as tender and
true. as parents, Us gentle, as loving
L as God in his infinite love ever gave
to man. cannot forget this home
nor these people. And I can say no
more to-day than to express in words
which, If not elaborate, will be sincere,
the deep and heartfelt thanks for these
tokens, these manifestations of good
will"
After speeches by several citizens
the crowds dispersed. Mr.. Bryan will
leave Tomorrow for Lincoln.