The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-07-16
He ADDRESSES A LARGE CROWD.
His Right Arm and Hand Almost
Paralyzed From Handshaking.
Tho Illinois Farmers Give the Boy
Orator Hard Wrench when They
Sc. Louis Today. Thence Going TO
His Home In Nebraska

ward the msudle or the forenoon NnSn AIT.
and Mrs. Bryan brcakfasted. Both we're
tired out last night. They drove from
odin 70 Salem In carriage on their re-
turn from Centraiia. and It Was midnight
when they II ached The home OF Mrs. Rry-
ans sister. Mrs. Baird. As soon as they
finished breakfast they began 20 receive
calls from friends and relatives. who had
come in to attend the demonstration.
The reception was entirely Informal. Any
one so desiring could walk into the house
and grasp the nominee ana his wife by the
hand. just before dinner-every body
sakes dinner at noon In this place-Air.
Bryan excused himself. and went dewn
20 the little barber shop and was shaved.
He tnen returned 20 his room 20 dress for
the demonstration.
Mr.. Bryans right arm Is almost par
alyzed today. The unaccustomed strain
OF haudshaking in which he has been Wig
orousiy engaged Is beginning TO be felt by
him. His right arm and hand were badly
swollen. and the strain has been worse
since coming to Salem. The great.
hrawny farmers In this region have
fashion OF shaking hands with vigor
that causes men OF less muscular power
to vince Mr.. BRYAN homes 10 he able to
refrain from the handshaklng business
after leaving here tomorrow, until he
reaches Lincoln. Neh. He expects 10 leave
here at s.s5 in the morning and so TO St
Louis. thence to Kansas City. and thence
TO Lincoln.
The scerchlng sun had scarcely appear
ed above the horizon today when the
town was shaken by the thundernus cam
nonading or anviis. which was repeated
at regular intervals until noon. Wagons
loaded with farmers from the surrounding
country began 10 arrive ar daylight
Crowds care on excursion trains from
neighboring towns. and adjoining cities 10
fak . ma arf N celebration
afternoon and evening. In response 10 the
proclamation issued by the mayor yester-
day, all the business houses were abun-
dainty decorated with flags and hunting
and portraits OF the distinguished native
OF Salem. Nearly all the dwelling houses
are decorated with patriotic enihems and
flowers and sprigs OF evergreen. Nearly
all the vehicles thaH ran through the
streets were adorned witn the Stars ana
Stripes. and some enthusiastic drivers
utilized strings of bells 20 make noise
The ladies generally wore white dresses,
with red or blue sashes. and white CAPS
over the visors OF which WAS printed In
silver letters. William J. Bryan.
The people began gathering at the court
house where a big stand had been erect
s ed for the eelebsa ton. fully Two hours
before the time for the demonstration to
begin. The great elm trees which scrround
the courthouse had been freshly white
and flags. In this courthouse Bryan made
his first public speech, and here his father
for twelve years presided over the cir
cult court.
While hundreds of people were ASSEM-
bed In the courthouse yard bic black
cloud loomed up in the northwest. and
approached with frightful rapidity. There
were terrific peals OF thunder. AT length
the rain broke and come down In torrents.
In ten minutes the bunting. flags and
draperies which looked so attractive In
the morning were almost ruined. The
darkness Increased until IL was impossible
TO see across the streets. lit was AN oriI-
nary thunder storm. but of unusual yio-
lence. The darkness caused a great deal
of alarm. 1t was after y. m. before the
rain ceased. Then the crowds came out
from the stores. iaverns and other places
OF shelter and again began 70 gather be-
meath the trees in the courtyard. The nu-
merous country bands that had come In
from the nelghboring towns with Bryan
clubs began 10 play such inspiring tunes
as white Wiags." Comrades. March
ing Through Georgia" and Dixie" The
hustle and excitement that prevailed IN
the early morning was renewed. Bryan
banners were everywhere. by this time
the number OF people packed i'm The court
house yard had increased until at least
3.eo people were there. A dozen bands
were scattered about. all playing AT once.
tised to spsak he did not come. This
afternoon word vas received that the gov
ernor's health was such that he could not
come. He was greatly exhausted after
the Chicago convention, and has not yet
fully recovered.
At 2.i5 Il was announced that the dis
tinsuished ''soH of Salem was approach
ing. All the bands started in afreah, ard
the crowd howled like mad This was
kept ND until Air. and Mrs. Bryan were
seated on the platform When quiet was
restored. Rev. r. r. Young Of tho NJ. r.
church. prayed for the blessing Of the
God os Washington, Jefferson, Jackson
and Lincoln. After the usual preiirninar-
ies Mr.. Bryan was presented 20 fhe au-
dlence. amid uproarious applause. In the
course Of his remarks Mr. Bryan said.
Il have no disposition 10 talk politics
today. Returning 20 the scenes which SUR
round my early horne. the memories ~
other days crowd out eli thoughts OF sub
tects upon which we may differ re-
member with such grateful appreciation
the kindly feeling which has aboHnaesi,
regardless OF church and asy ines fHat
| shall not say one word % divide upon
any subject those who are assembled here
today. This Ia the homo 81 my birth, ~
mr. hoyhood and my early manhood. Three
blocks south I first saw the light of day.
A mile 20 the northeast J lived until
was 2. and ] shah never cease 10 be CRATE
fAs 10 fEF RstfFNtH VINO look ne 10 ITO
farm ard there allowed ns 20 develop tho
physical strength tnat ~ needed in iha
campaign which We have 10 pass through.
IL was in this courthouse that ] FIRST
gained the ambition 10 be a lawyer. IL
was la fhiN courthouse that I made the
first political speech I ever tried TO make.
1t was in the fair grou's8 near here that
! sIoke for the first time en- the Fourth
OF July IL was TO this city and 20 This
parental roof that brought her who has
/ promised 90 share life'N joys and sorrows.
! Ard alt OF thsse happy assoctafsone arfss
today before me And isase me no desire
10 fhfnk of other things
Il cannot forget salem. cannot forget
these whose kindly faces smiled upon me
/ before forsune sraiiea. I canno, forget
the spot near bv. the place OF the dead.
where rest the ashes Of the father whose
| upright life has been an inspiration and
-shcSe eoQnNeis fingered ia my ears W hen
Re was gone. the spot where rest the
ashes Of = mother tender and true. as
patient. gentle, as loving aa God IN Ills
Infinite tos@ ever gave 20 rnsB I cannot
forget this hofse nor taese people. And
I can -ay no u10rn today than 10 express
in words which. II not elaborate. will bs
/ sincere, tire 6eep and heartfelt thanks for
these tokens. these manifestations OF
/ goOdwtli.
'~Tnsrs IL an IDEAL plane IN politics. ani
| helleys stand upoa u asrs to1ay.
| w. asrer IN opinion, Ne differ as % party
/ politics. bat xe meet today recognizing
! tnoss differences and yet fee-lng = ch2xigX