Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-10-27


Jacksonville, Ills, October 26.-Per-
haps the noisest demonstration that
was ever given any one within the walls
Of the chopel of the Illinois College was
the one paid William Jennings Bryan
this morning by The students of his
Alma Mater. Shortly after ten o'clock
he spoke to the students of the college
from which ne graduated, and the ap-
plause which greeted him seemed out of
place in the room devoted to the devo-
ti0nsl exercises Of the institution. His
address, while of a political nature and
Il defense Of the double standard theory
OF finance, was so diplamoJically given
That no student within his hearing
could take otfeuse at il.
The same simple exercises in which
he parlOOk for six years as @ student in
the college were gone through with
this morning. John R. Bradley, the
president of the Illinois College, pre-
sided over the meeting, and the eXer-
cises were opened by the reading Of the
Scriptures by Dr.. Bradley, responsive
reading of a Bible lesson and prayer by
DR. r. P Garter, professor of natural
science. Then Dr. Bradley gave a short
Introductory address, saying thai OF the
distinguished alumni OF Illinois College
who had reflected honor upon The insti-
tuition. that no one stands and no one
ever stood in such public distinction as
the guest Of the morning. He said thaJ
with The duties ana engagements which
press so heavy upon the distinguished
visitor. it was noteworthy that he should
pause and turn aside for little ~hlle
10 visit The scene of his old associations
and greet his old friends and permit
them TO greet him and TO lay his honors
q the feet of mis- Alma Mater. The ap-
Dlquse which followed the Introduction
was hearty and of long duration. After
Mr.. Bryan's address, DR.. Bradley an
ncunced tha. in honor Of the presence ot
the distinguished guest, The Students
would observe the rest of the day as
holiday and he called upon the mem
hers of the SIGMA Thi TO escort Mr.. and
Mrs. Bryan to the carriage and act as
guard Of honor through the grounds Oh
lha institution The members or thal
maternity drew up in line and IN sing
ING their fraternity song, marched on
either side of the carriage, and Wnen
the vehicle containing the guests h3d
reached the gates the students bade
The nominee and his wife God speed
--,., -,,nn,r,ented The farewell with long
and loud college yells.
Jacksonville was very much ailVe TO-
5ev T. was decorated with flags and
bunting. and a great many OF the resi-
dences bear The pictures OF Bryan anu
Altgeld. The streets were CROWDED
with q mass of humanity wearing rl0-
hans of silver. and many OF the enthu-
siasts had hear-gear made of the white
meal The stand erected in the center
Of .be city square was surrounded long
before noon with people anxious TO see
and hear the standard bearer OF three
PARTIES. Notwithstanding that ms speech
did not commence until at,er CLOCK
Crowded excursion trains began 10 ar
rive early in the day, and continued
until long after noon.
That portion of the city hall square IN
Jacksonville about the gai.y decorated
speallers stand which had been built
near the north end, was densely crowd
ed when. at two o'clock, William j.
Rrvan began to speak this afternoon.
The ovation given him was one Of the
greatest ne has received anywhere in
city near the size of Jacksonville. There
was a parade during the day which
would have done credit for town much
larger than Jacksonville. There was
noticeable number Of yellow ribbons
scattere through the crowd, but they
were in the minority. Mr.. Bryan was
introduced by Judge o. p. Thompson
I'm short fatter.ng speech and when
he took the stand to speak he was
cbeered wildly. He said in part:
Mr.. Chairman. Ladies and Gentlemen:
II Is 3Iwavs pleasing to meet large num-
hers of people in any part OF the coun-
-,v but if is especially gratifying to
find 50 many willing 10 turn out on this
occasion when l come back 10 the CITY
which was for many years my nome.
II IS gratifying to meet again me trlends
u.bom 7 used TO know and TO learn by
heir presence and their words that the
soouaintance then formed is continued
and that the good will that they so Of
ten manifested then is still evident
c,ro hack as a representative Of
gre9- principle. as the champion of
9re9f cause. as a candidate Of those who
5e.ieve that the American people are
ab,e 70 attend to their own business.
If there is any one in Morgan county
Who believes that seventy millions Oh
people must bow the knee to foreign ma
ions and bend their necks to toTelgh
woke l cannot expect those people 10
vote for me this year, because do noi
6afieve that we should submit ourselves
TO foreign dictaton.
The national parties declared the
,,cnav ouestion 10 be the paramount