The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-09-22
BRYAN'S WELCOME TO ASREWLLf.
TWENTY-TIyE THOUSAND PEo-
PIE GItEET HIM.
An Interesting Description OF the
Great Ovation Given to the Next
President
Special to the Greonvillo Moun,aineor.

~ AsneViltS 10 near Wllilam Jennings
Bryan speak, and the dozen or more
Greenvilians who heard him here yes.
terday felt moro than repaid for their
trip. 1t was a glorious occasion. All
day Tuesday, Tuesday night and We'd
nesday morning people poured into
Asheyile from far and near. We'd
ncsdey morning, q loud clatter of
hoofs was heard coming up the streets.
Every body rushed out OF doors to see
what 1t meant. 1t was two or three
hundred sturdy mountaineers riding
into town on mules and horses, and
they made q grand spectacle as they
galloped along waving their hats and
shouting for Bryan as only mountain
Ger can shout. They were of all ages
and sizes, but all were for Bryan and
free silver.
Mr.. Bryan on his arrival was driven
to the Battery Park, where he par
took of an elegant dinner in company
with few invited guests. Host E. p.
Mckissick presided over the table, and
Mr.. Bryan, Of course, occupied the
seat OF honor on his right Judge j..
). Cothran represented South Caro-
lima.
Tho speaking was scheduled to be-
gin at 3.30 p. M, but it was after four
o'clock when the Bryan party reached
tho stand The stand was erected
near the depot in u place seemingly
designed by nature for sIch an occa-
casion. Directly In front of the speak
er's stand and several feet lower was q
large platform, admission to which
was by ticket. Beyond this rises a
curved hill, forming u grand natural
amphitheatre. On the hillsides were
We're thousands and thousands Of pee
pie, all of whom seemed to hear MIR
Bryan's words Us well as those on the
platform nearer him. But this was
not all. Behind the stand and on the
sides people were huddled tog 5ther for
several hundred yards. The number
OF those present was variously esti-
mated. think there could not have
been less than $4,000. and believe this
is q conservative estimate. Men who
arc good judges of crowds place the
number even above this figure. Cyrus
Watson, the Democratic nominee for
Governor OF North Carolina, told me
there were at least 25 600 there. and he
knows what he is talking about. The
principal thing that struck a South
Carolinlah was the contrast between
thls nSeeting and Il campaign meeting
Ia the Palmetto State. There was not
tho slightest disorder. Every ono
seemed intent upon catching every
word that the speaker uttered, and ii
there were any gOldbugs present they
did not make themselves prominent.
Mr.. Bryan was introduced by Mr..
Locke Craig, young lawyer, of Ashe-
vile, whose speech was eloquent, but
just OF the right length. When Bryan
stepped forward, the crowd rose to IL
man and yelled until Mr.. Bryan had
to wave his hands to them to be seat
ed. From the start he had the crowd
under control and by mere gesture
stopped any unnecessary cheering. His
-2slpcsPal arguments were met with re-
sponsive cheers before he sometimes
reached his climax. In beginning, he
paid tribute to the late Senator
Vance, and his eulogistic reference to
to this great North Carolina statesman
set the crowd wild again. His denun-
citation OF John G. Carlisle was enthu-
siastically received by the crowd, as
was also his sarcastic reference to the
Assistant Republicans" 1t was a
Bryan crowd through and through
Some were disappointed in his
speech. was not, and yet it was not
what thought lit would be. Having
heard SO much of his eloquence, had
expected succession of we'll framed
and prettily worded paragraphs with
out much real argument. Bryan is not
as eloquent as he is logical. Ho fol-
lowed up one argument after another
with just the right thought. His ges-
lures are not SO carefully studied as to
detract attention from the argument,
but you don't notice bis gestures or
how ht aacS anvthirCr UJhnt ho .,.,s
keeps you fascinated. His arguments
were plain enough to be understood by
the most ignorant, yet not SO plain as
toweary trained listener.
So much for the speaker. The
man, Bryan, is wonder, too. He
is magnifcently proportioned. IT is
doubtful whether his pictures do him
justice or whether they fatter him.
They probably improve the looks of the
features, but DO not near give true
idea OF his expression. His mouth is of
q peculiar shape but Is not ugly Like
alk the features of his face it Is very
large. He opens it very wide when he
speaks. But bis eyes are what catch
ones attention. They show determi-
nation and power and ability to control
others. His vdice must have been al
most superhDmkn before he commence
cd his series ofspeeches, tn, one mere
being number l3O. When he began,
his voice was hbarse and husky, but it
improved as ND proceeded and though
evidently in d very bad condition is
still wonderfully strong and far-reach-
ing Mr.. Bryh looks very tired and
evidently can OF stand this strain
. much longer. He had to refuse to
shake hands,al lis right hand is sore
and badly Swollen from continual
shaking.
When be c(lsed his speech, the i'm
mense crowd Jumped up and shouted,
aud then maF rush for the stand.
MIR. Bryan mii his way to the depot
with ditIicultJ though he had only five
minutes In Which to catch his train.
His speech lat ted one hoar and when
he closed thebeople shouted for him
to go on.
1t was q feat day for the North
Carolina De locrats, but they were
not alone iI their demonstration In
honor of thSr leader. There were
people here from Alabama, Georgia
and Tennessee and crowds from South
Carolina. ltFas a great Welcome to q
great man. CLARENCE
"A fall of dxty.tlve feet Qeneralls