Mexico weekly ledger., 1896-11-19
BRYAN GIVEN ANOTHER OVATION
In an Interview He Expresses Conf
dence in the Future of the Silver
Cause and Makes a Brief
Speech.
From the st. Louis Republic.

FfDm Tic " Ltuls IAepdbIit-
William j. Bryan arrived in st.
Louis last Monday enroute to Colonel
M. C. Wetmore's 7,0O0-acre game
preserve in fancy county for a weeks
hunt and recreation.
INTERVIEWED IN HIS CAR.
A reporter of the Republic boarded
MIR. Bryan's car and engaged him in
conversation concerning himself and
the work that has been and will be
done in the interest of free silver
coinage.
"What can you say as to the politi-
cal situation-will the fight for silver
be kept up?"
81 am delighted at the stand the sill
yer men are taking. / am advised
that they are already perfectly Or
gained, and that the fight will be car
ried on during the ensuing four years,
until the next election"
"What do you think of the prospects
for victory in 1902"
81 am confident that we shall VIM
"Do you propose to lead the silver
forces in the fight they are making?'
81 do not expect to assume the po-
sition of leader, but I shall do nothing
that will take me out of the fight. !
propose to do all / can for the cause
of free silver. I don't want to be re-
garded as a leader, but simply as an
ordinary worker, confident that the
sentiments / advocate mean prosper
ity for the country. The cause is
stronger to-day than ever, and will
grow day by day; when the people are
enlightened on a just cause they will
see it's merit.
"The gold Democrats, if they come
back to the party, must come as silver
men. There is no DON for two Re-
publican parties in this country. The
gold Democrats cannot come back to
the party and run it on Republican
ideas. They left because of the plat
form, and unless they have changed
their views must stay with the Re-
publicans. The Democratic party is
committed to silver and will continue
to fight for it. I am delighted to come
to Missouri and to show my apprecia-
ton of what the people of this State
have done for the cause. / will always
have a warm place in my heart fol
them"
By this time the crowd around the
gates leading to the trains had become
so dense that it was almost impossible
for the gatemen to prevent them from
rushing through. So many had gone
around to the south end of the shed
and come inside that it was finally de-
cided to throw the gates wide open
and let the people pass through.
There were in the neighborhood Of
5000 people in the midway, and per-
sistent cries for Mr.. Bryan brought
him to the platform. AS he raised his
hat the vast throng recognized him.
and a mighty cheer went up. An en-
thusiast in the front ranks yelled:
"We want to hear your voice. Speak
to us, Mr.. Bryan" The great orator
of the Platte hesitated a moment and
then said:
MIR. BRYAN's SPEECH.
"You folks act like You didn't know
the election was over" AS he said
this Mr.. Bryan leaned towards the
man in the crowd, who was
to shake his hand. A tremen-
dous cheer went up. Up to this point
it was quite evident that Mr.. Bryan
did not intend to make an address, but
the people gathered about the train SO
eager to Q and to hear that Colonel
Wetmore requested that the train be
held two or three minutes over time
in order that the wishes of the
vast and enthusiastic crowd might be
gratified. $50 ahead, Mr.. Bryan" he
said, sand make them a speech"
Proceeding, Mr.. Bryan said:
"One thing that is gratifying to me
is that l haven't een a silver man
since the election who feels sorry he
voted for silver. AS far as / have
heard they are united and are organ
izing and fighting for the same thing
they fought for election day."
This brought forth another deafen-
ing cheer, and the crowd again at
tempted to break through the barriers
to get a chance to shake the hand of
the speaker, but they we're restrained
by the police, who formed a Gordon
around the rear platform of the car.
"If we were right before the cleo
ton we are still right" continued Mr..
Bryan in an effort to get through with
the speech, SO as to not keep the train
waiting beyond its time. Cheers pre-
vented him from going any further
for a moment, but with that express
i've wave of the hand which character
lied his speeches all the way through
the campaign he stilled the mighty
throng.
"I g by the newspapers that Mr..
Hanna has advised the Republicans to
keep up their organization. hope
they will. l hope they will study the
question more. The more they study
the question the fewer members they
will have in the clubs"
At this juncture the enthusiasm of
the crowd overleaped its bounds and
once more a prolonged cheer almost
rent the roof of the expansive sheds.
"The work must go on. We will all
be better able four years from now to
either indorse or to reverse the decis-
ion rendered in the election. The
more closely we scrutinize legislation
the more apt we are to have good leg
isIation."
Here the speaker was again inter-
rupted by cheers and cries of"You are
Resuming, he said:
81 want to say one thing to you in
conclusion, and that is that / am pro-
foundry grateful to Missouri for the
majority she rolled up for the cause. I
am thankful to you for the magnificent
you have rendered to me
here tonight"
LEGISLATORS OCCUPATIONS.
An Analysis of the Next Missouri
General Assembly