The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-26

When the doors Of the Garden were opened
at z o'clock the place began Immediately to
flll. The crowd that had waited impatiently
for more than an hour at the Madison ave-
nue. entrance came in with rush, eager to
secure good seats.
The audience broke into prolonged cheer
ing at 8. 10 O'Clock, when Mr.. Bryan entered
the Garden. First came Mrs. Bryan on the
arm Of Treasurer st. Jonn. Following came
Mr. Bryan on the arm Of Chairman James z.
Jones, followed by Mr.. Sewall, with Cover
nor Stone, OF Missouri. The first persons to
greet Mrs. Bryan when she entered her box
were Congressman Benton McMtlltn, OF Ten
nessee, and Senator Blanchard, Of Louisiana.
For five minutes the multitude In the Gar
den gave way to tumultuous applause as
Bryan bowed again and again to the shout
ing crowd, taking his seat time after time,
believing the uproar was over, only to be
called again to the front to receive the ova-
ton.
Chairman Jones opened the meeting by
introducing Elliott Danforth as Chairman.
Mr.. Danforth made brief speech and pre-
sented Governor Stone, Chairman OF the
Notification Committee. who delivered the
formal notification speech. When Governor
Stone concluded the a5semblage broke into
cheering. Chairman Danforth then in few
words introduced Mr. Bryan. At the mem
hon of the name the applause was dearening
and the stamping OF enthusiastic feet was
like the sound Of muffled thunder. Men
rose to their feet, waving their hats, hand
kerchiefs and their arms. The sound rose
and fell in great waves. When Mr. Bryan
stepped forward the sound took stronger
note and the assemblage went into frenzy
Of appreciation. It was fully ten minutes
before the uproar ceased.
When the audience was tired out, an d
Bryan was able to make the words "Mr.
Chairman and Gentlemen OF the Committee"
heard, hush fell upon the great assembly.
Bryan's voice was 80 low when he began his
address that the audience feared that the
rumor that the muscles of his throat had be-
come relaxed was true, but he had scarcely
spoken a hundred words when the tones
rang out over the Garden. 1t cannot be de-
MED that the audience was disappointed by
the circumstance that Bryan read his
speech. Nevertheless he was listened to
with the deepest attention, and the salient
points OF the speech were received with ap-
plause. Bryan's voice continued clear and
penetrating throughout his address, reach
ing every corner OF the hall. He held his
manuscript in the left hand, and with his
right turned over page after page, his re-
sonant voice sounding clear and distinct
from end to end Of the Garden.
bryan spoke III part dS iOllOWS.
MI. Chairman, Gentlemen Of the Commit
tee and Fellow Citizens: 1 shall at future
day and in formal letter accept the NOM
ination which is now rendered by the Notif-
cation Committee, and shall at that time
touch upon the issues presented by the plat
form. 1t is fitting, however, that at this
time. in the presence Of those here assembled,
speak at some length in regard to the cam
paign upon which we are now entering. We
do not underestimate the forces arrayed
against u.s. nor are we unmindful OF the i'm
portance OF the struggle in which we are en-
gagged, but relying for success upon the
righteousness of our cause, we shall defend
with all possible vigor the positions taken
by our party.
We are not surprised that some Of our op-
ponents, in the absence Of better argument,
resort to abusive epthets, but they may rest
assured that no language, however violent;
no invectives, however vehement, will lead
MS to depart a single hairs breath from the
course marked out by the National ConVen-
tion. The citizen, either public or private.
who assails the character and questions the
patriotism of the delegates assembled in the
Chicago Convention, assails the character
and questions the patriotism OF the millions
who have arrayed themselves under the ban
ner there raised.
It has been charged by men standing high
in business and political circles that our
platform is a menace to private security and
public safety, and 1t has been asserted that
those whom I have the honor, for the time
being. to represent, not only mediate an
attack upon the rights OF property. but are
the foes both of social order and National
honor.
Those who stand upon the Chicago plat
form are prepared to make known and to de-
fend every motive which influences them,
every purpose which antmates them ard
every hope which inspires them. They un-
derstand the genius Of our institutions, they
are stanch supporters OF the form OF govern.
ment under which we live, aud they build
their faith upon foundations laid by the
fathers.
We are not surprised to find arrayed
against US those who are the beneflciaries o
Government favoritism-they have read oui
platform. Nor are we surprised TO learn
that We must in this campaign face the hos
ti!ity oil those who llud pecuniary advan'
tase in advocating the doctrine OF non-in
reference when great aygregations OF wealth
are trespasSing upon the rights OF lndirid
uals. We welcome such opposition-it /:
the highest Endorsement which could be be-
slowed upon us. We are content to nave
the C, -opera,ion OF those who desire to have
the Government administered without feal
o. favor.
1t is not the wish Of the general public
that trusts should spring into eXis! ence ant
override the weaker members OF society; j
is not the wish of the general public tha
these truss should destroy competition ant
then collect such tax as they will from tho
who are at lheir mercy; nor is it the fault o
the general public that the instrumentalitie!
of government have been so often prostitut
ed to purposes of private gain. Those who
stand upon the Chicago platform believe tha
rhe Government should not only avoid wrong
doing, but that it should also prevent
wrongdoing; and they believe that the law
should be enforced alike against all enemies
OF the public veal. They do not excuse petit
larceny, but they declare that grand larceny
is equally crime; they 10 not defend th'
occupation OF the highwaynan who ROB-
the uususpecting traveller, but they include
amons.the transgressors those who, through
the more polite and less hazardous neaa'