Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-19


around the speaker. The asscmblage was
a notable one in many respects. 1t was
| the largest ever known in Petersburg.
| II was unparalleled In its enthusiasm.
The gathering that assembled on the
| same spot over a generation ago to hear
| Stephen A. Douglass advocate his claims
| TO the presidency was in comparison
small. The interest and the pleasure of
| the occasion. too. we're greatly enhanced
by the presence Of so many lovely women.
whose waving handkerchefs and fans
gave evidence Of their welcome to the
orator and their appreciation OF his tell
ing points.
When Mr. Bryan descended from the
car he was greeted with prolonged cheeN
ing that could be heard all through the
city. He was not given an opportunity
TO attend to his toilet. but dusty from his
long ride and suffering from the heat of
the close car, he was hurried to the plat
form. He sprang up the steps like boy
and gracefully faced the still cheering
audience. His voice was a little hoarse,
but his words were clear cut and distinct.
and rang out with an emphasis that
reached the outmost edges Of the crowd.
HIS EARNEST WORDS.
Mr. Bryan said
"Mr. Chairman, Ladies, and Gentlemen
The Democratic party at Chicago adopted
a platform. That platform has driven
from the party a few who formerly acted
with the party. "a voice: Let them
60. Applause) i am not going 10 say
"a N frX IN IQnOCrnt
from voting as he pleases. l have never
heretofore asked any Democrat to vi0-
late his conscience or to act contrary TO
his best judgment. and, young as | am,
am too old TO commence now. (Applause)
The Democratic party has spoken. The
Democratic party has written its plat
form. The Democratic voters in conven-
ton assembled had a right to write the
platform, and any man who does not
like the platform can get out of the
party and call himself something else.
(Applause)
What i mean to say is this: That a
man who objects to what the Democratic
party did has a right to object, but he
has no right to try to call himself a
Democrat. (Applause) Either the name
Democrat belongs to a majority OF the
party or to the minority. ] have always
said that the name belonged 10 the ma
jority. and that the majority had a right
to determine what the policy OF the party
should be- (Applause)
II simply want to say this: That II
there is a Democrat who is going TO vote
this year, / want him to do it knowing
what ii means. don't want him TO say
that IL is merely n temporary departure
from the Democratic party. L want him
TO know that when the Democratic party |
is engaged in a struggle as II Is now; |
that any man who deserts in the face OF |
the enemy will never get back unless ne |
comes in ssckcloth and ashes. Vireat |
applause) We ask no quarter from those |
who are ashamed to say that they are |
going TO vote the Republican ticket, and |
vet intend to vote the Republican ticket.
(Applause) / say we ask no quarter oi
them, and we expect to- give them no |
quarter. either.
WANTED TO SHAKE HIS HAND.
All was attentive from the beginning |
TO the close of the speech. which taste"
for about twenty minutes, and at the
close Mr.. Bryan was given three rouslhg /
cheers AS he started to descend from
the platform the vast gathering presseu
closer towards the steps, and trled u
shake his hand. The nominee very cour-
teousIy. but positively. stated that ne
could not shake hands with his friends
though he would like to do so. as his
hand was exceedingly sere. He then ASK
cd that a space be made for him to pass
through to his carriage. but fthe people
were so eager to get close to him that
they were slow in moving of. Two po-
licemen finally opened way for the
nominee and he was gotten to his car
riage. in which he was driven Slowly
through Sycamore and Bollingbrook
streets TO the lower depot, where he again
embarked on his car. which was attached
TO the Cannon Ball train, and whirled
here as rapidly as possible.
All along the streets he was cheered by
crowds of people. who lined the side
walks, and many men, shouting Tor
Bryan and free silver" rushed down
The street behind his carriage.
Mr. Bryan smiled serenely, and as his
carriage moved onward called several lit
lie girls TO the side. and presented them
with badges bearing his picture, telling
hem to preserve them and pray for him.
SHAKES HANDS WITH LADIES.
At the lower depot several thousand |
people crowded around his carriage. and
he was fairly lifted from 1t into his car.
There he seated himself at a window, |
nd, announcing that he would shake
lands with the ladies, was soon besieged