New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-16

AFTER DINNER On tt
fact of his bold entry into the "enemy's coun-
try" his gesture for silence was gesture OF
appeal. and while he made il his lips twitched
nervousy and his eyes fastened themselves
upon the remote gallery opposite the stage.
where individual faces were fused into the
mass. thus helping him 70 regain the calmness
Of demeanor so necessary TO a successful IN
troductory.
1t is complimentary 10 the estimate be put
upon the New-York public that he thought his
speech should be scholarly re- Their than eloquent.
He had intended 10 deliver il as ar oratorcal
effort. and it is said had prepared himself for
that purpose. but his heart failed him at the
last moment He feared to trust his memory.
The speech was not given out to the papers till
the last moment for he said he was afraid il
might be put in one Of the late evening editions
and he brought into the Garden 10y numbers IF
critical observers in order to test him Ivy
reading comparison. In such a case he felt that
he would he undOne Thus It came about that
the contagion Of his eloquence so much dWelt
upon at Chicago was wanting. His gestures
were few. and were simply signs Of warning
that something he deemed Of Importance as
about 10 find utterance His first gesture. for in
which for the first time he allowed to releas"
its grip on the manuscript. HI describing
the condition of the opposition. and his sentence
was They have read our platform" Later
there was a repetition Of the rght-arm move
ment upward and the uplifting OF the index
finger, as he remarked with certainty and fine
vocal power. The gold standard has been
weighed in the balance and found wanting
OF course the scriptural relation between this
figure and that Of the cross Of gold was instant
~ recognized.
A DISAPPOINTING PERORAT1ON
Twice he shifted his paper from the left to the
right hand and At the close he laid it down and
dealt out his perora ton; but there no fire be
hind IT, The fuel had run out. and the two-arm
gesture fell far short Of enforcing his word pict-
ure Of the towering goddess Of the Upper Bay
The spirit had succumbed u the WEAKNESS Of the
flesh 1t seemed If ne felt the presage Of d.
feat and was glad the ordeal was over. Through
out his address it must he said in justice that he
was compelled closely to watch me action Of his
voice and this added element Of Worry.
The heat too was excessive and frequently he
turned his face 10 find his handkerchief, which he
had laid upon the table beside and little behind
him. and with one comprehensive sweep cleared
the p4rspiration from his broad forehead What
his actual feelings were over his reception and
his own sense Of failure in delivery none but his
intimates possibly will ever know. II is rev
marked that ne is sensitive TO criticism. prefer
ring far rather to bask in the sunshine u uni
versal admiration. and the preference is broadly
human.
The abandonment Of MIR. Bryan's "trip TOT
Maine advised and urged 10y his managers
against his own desires He looked forward
with keen zest to renewal Of the movement
and the action Of flying trip through the heart
of the "enemy's country" with its Incidental
speeches from the platform Of car. and its
adulation in the shape Of cheers from enthusi-
astic gatherings He gives no thought TO his
own comfort. and no better demonstration OF
that is needed than in the fact that on his way
TO New-York he tired himself cut almost
ruined his voice and left himself in such shape
that when h. stepped upon the platform at
Madison Square Garden he was not physically
fit for the task mapped out for him.
THE ORDEAL OF AN INTERVIEW.
Please Mr.. 81. John. | would ike to shake
hands with them They all friends Of mine.
/ know" These words came from the lips Of
William J. Bryan. the Democratic candidate for
President. and he smiled in engaging way as
he glanced over a group Of newspaper men who
gathered at the home Of William T. 81. John. the
treasurer Of the Democratic National Commit
Tee. whose guest Mr. Bryan was. 10 meet him
Mr. Bryan had just held out his hand to grasp
the hand OF a newspaper man when Nj ST. John
sprang TO the front and said sternly.
NO YOU must not"
Mr. BRYAN had just dined after having been
driven from the railroad station He had Just
ended his remarkable transc influential journey. /
He was so hoarse from speechmaking that be
could not utter a word above Whiaper. All the
stains of travel had been carefully removed
however and he was in evening dress. His
hair usually in riotous disorder carefully /
combed He wore patent leather shoes. and a
diamond stud glistened in his shirt front He
had been standing under bower ~ roses when !
Mr. ST John opened the folding door which /
presented him to the view Of the reporters. and
he sprang forward with word Of greeting and /
,utstretched hand. Then it was that Mr.. 81 !
John interfered and Mr. Bryan begged T. be al |
lowed 10 60 on. Mr. St John was firm. and Mr.. /
BRYAN in expostulation held up his right hand /
and said as loud he could, in a laughing way. /
Perhaps IL is just well. You might !
;aueeze my hand. and that would be more Of I
, catastrophe than any one imagines'
Those present glanced curious.y his hand I
md saw that il was swollen 10 twice lis natural /
,ze. and badly innamed. Mr. Bryan continued !
n a whisper.
1T is another case OF Spare from nv |
riends' | have been shaking hands for two
lays all along the line. and II became a serious