The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-13
HOW BRYAN WON.

The most picturesque and vivid descrip-
tions Of the proceedings of the st. Louis
and Chicago conventions, and withal the
most admirable as specimens of accom-
plshed journalism that have recently ap-
peared in any newspaper, so far as we
know. have been the telegraphic letters
supplied to the Washington Post by its
alert Capitol man." Harry l.. West Mr..
West thought nothing OF sending nightly
5000 words of matter that was not only as
newsy as could be found, but also dressed
in language fit to set before a high court
Of rhetoricians. Mr.. Vests description
Of Bryan's great speech is good speci-
men of his skill at fluent narrative writ
ing and one of sufficient interest still to
warrant repetition. We quote part Of it
below:
"An that had gone before was as
placid mllpond to a surging sea compared
to what was to come. The hour and the
man were about to combine, and William
Jennings Bryan, of Nebraska, was his
name. The country for some time past
has known of Bryan. He rose to the sur
face in the political cyclone of 1892 buoyed
by a genial presence, tactful ways. and a
real and genuine talent for oratory
Smooth of face and equally smooth in
method, Mr.. Bryan has managed since his
first entrance into political life to insinu-
ate himself into popular favor. and he
knows well how to occupy the center of
the stage. His dramatic and theatrical
entrance into the hall yesterday was but
part of a well-laid plan to stampede the
convention for him, and this programme
was carried out today to its fullest devel-
opment. There is no doubt that however
much of the demonstrative welcome
which greeted him as he appeared upon the
platform might have been manufactured
for the OCCASION he proved himself worthy
of It, The opportunity was his. and he
fitted the opportunity. He held all the
trump cards of the pack. He was inspired
with the possibilities which the occasion
meant for his future. he knew his sub
ject. he had the popular side of the con-
troversy, he felt himself among friends.
Combined with this. he had the rhythm of
language, grace of oratory, and pictur-
esqueness OF presence.
Certain 1t is that his speech was the
only one Of the whole convention to thrill.
electrify. STIR and sway the throng. He
struck fire with every word. Earnest as
Savonarola. eloquent as Ingersoll. burning
with fiery conviction, able enough to EN-
phasize the points which would stick like
burrs, artfully rodulating his musical
voice until it played like the wind upon
aeolian strings, he stimulated and swelied
the enthusiasm until the great audience
was absolutely under his persuasive yet
powerful domination. OF his speech 1t is
enough to say that demasogic and full of
sophistry as 1t was, ii suited the senti-
ment and temper of his audience, and near
ly every sentence was wildly cheered. His
tribute to the farmer. his plea for consid-
Grafton for the wage-earner, his sentence
that while protection had slain its thou
sands, the gold standard had slain its tens
of thousands his dramatic appeal for the
coming of Il second Andrew Jackson to
break down the conspiracy of the banks.
all this wa. sweet aud delicious music to
men imbued with the fever of revolution.
His assertion that though cities might be
burned they would be built again. while
with farms destroyed grass would grow
in the city streets, caused the old gray
headed sons of the soil to shout with joy.
The peroration evidently memorlzed with
studied care. flowed from his lips with
syrupy ease. You shall not he exclaimed
in conclusion, stretching out his arms as
IL In benediction and voice trembling with
passionate thrill, place crown of thorns
upon the brow Of labor or sacrifice man.
klHu upon yOui ciosS Ol Solu!
II \ II
1.-THE scene which followed beggars de-
scription. Words may tell what actually
happened, but words cannot impart the
strange and curious magnetism which
filed the atmosphere. Bedlam broke loose,
delirium reigned supreme. In the spoken
word of the orator thousands of men had
heard the unexpressed sentiments and
hopes of their own inmost souls. The
great mass Of humanity threw forth the
fiery lava Of its enthusiasm like Vesuvius
in eruption. The yells were so deafeniny
that only at irregular intervals could the
music Of the noisy band be heard, the
stamping OF the feet was as the roll OF
thunder among the echong. Alps. and the
hurricane Of sound almost caused the steel
girders of the roof to tremble with its
perceptible volume. Every man in the
vast audience climbed upon his chair and,
infected by the cyclonic frenzy of the mo-
ment seemed absolutely oblivious to what
he did or what he said. Words cannot
picture the awful tumult but the almost
lunatical excitement was shown by the in
cdent Of one woman, who, standing upon
a chair, shouted like a virago and danced
like q savage. For ten minutes this scene
continued. In the meantime, amid the
crowding mob which chung to his hand,