The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-08-13
THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OF AMY NORTH CAROLINA DAILY

than twelve feet square and draped
simply with American flags. The de-
corations were simple and not elabor-
ate, but in good taste consisting entire
ly of the National tricolor.
The hands of the clock marked seven
when the main doors down at the west
of the Garden swung inward and an
nounced their opening by the thrush
of a yelling war cry. Then with roar
came the people pouring through the
entrance like the unchaining of flood
of water Men and women-they
swept down to the center of the hall
climbing over chairs and Instructions
like an infantry charge.
CHEERS FOR MRS. BRYAN.
Two or three times as the crowd
rushed in some enthusiast rose in the
gallery and proposed three cheers for
Bryan which eNhortation brought the
expected shouts. But the first real de-
monstration of the night was given
to the wife of the Presidential candi-
. date. 1t was S o'clock when Mrs Bry-
an was seen climbing the steps that led
to the first box rallied off at the plat
forms right.
She was on the arm of lion VIM p
St John. treasurer of THE Democratic
Rational committee. As Mrs. BRYAN
swept her eyes across the hall they mad
a weary look and Ter face seemed
very pale. 1t lighted MP with bright
smile at the roar which swept across
the floor and went onward through the
galleries and which grew into a swelling
cheer and rose and fell in half a dozen
waves. Twice Mrs. Bryan bowed to the
right and left and then she was seated.
The cheer for Mrs. Bryan had not
ended when the foremost parsonage
of the hour, the Democratic candidate
for President. in the midst of a small
group of his chief supporters, appeared
and pushed through the same door,
way. The first glimpse was a of black
coated, broad-shouldered man. with a
roll of manuscript held at his side,
stepping with quick light stride up
the short fight of stairs. At his side
and towering over him was the strong
figure, clad in gray, of Senator jones,
of Arkansas, the chairman of the
Democratic committee.
As the smooth-shaven, strong. faced
young statesman from the West stood
at the front of the platform, q flag
was raised and waved just above
him in the gallery so that its folds
swept down as background for his
form and made him the one figure of
the whole assemblage
A GREAT OVATION.
The cheer that broke forth was of
tremendous force. Certainly its re-
cipient has never heard its equal but
once before and that was the
cheer which followed the close of his
now famous speech before the Chicago
convention.
The cry was Bryan, Bryan" re-
peated until the great crowd wearied.
It was only when he had sat down
at the right of the stand that the
people took notice of the men who ac-
c@mpanied him. Foremost among
them was Arthur Sewall, candidate for
Nice-President. There was Governor
Stone, of Missouri, and the presiding
officer, on. Elliott Danforth, ex-Treas-
urer of the State of New York.
There were no vacant chairs in the
hall when the nominees mounted the
platform and all standing space was
filed. Among the prominent Demo-
Gratis arrayed back of the platform
were: Senators Blanchard, of Louis
lana; German, of Maryland; Roach. of
North Dakota; Iillman, of South Caro-
lima: congressman Richardson and
MoMillin, Of Tennesseea Livingston, OF
Georgia; Rusl<, of Maryland Governor
Hogg, of Texas, and many others who
had borne parts in the convention
which nominated Mr.. Bryan.
It was twenty minutes after eight
when Senator Jones stepped to the
front of the box and lifted his hand
for order. The response came in the
form of calls for Bryan. After mo-
ment the Senator was able to hear him
self introduce Mr.. Danforth as the
chairman of the meeting
Mr.. Danforth in his turn pounded
with a gavel on the rail and in turn
was showered with calls for Bryan.
Mr.. Danforth's speech was a brief one,
a mere formal introduction of Gov
Stone. Gov. Stone read his notification
from printed strips but his voice car
ried almost to the ends of the hall.