The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-04-29

colors as named. Behind him cam,
the steady trampiug Tillman men
each carrying perpendicularly a gen
uine pitchfork beside his shoulder. 4
white transparency bore the words il
red letters: Colorado Must Hav
Free Silver-16 to l." The arrival O
this unique club created uproariou
enthusiasm in the audience,
| But when Senator Tillman, the here
of the hour. arose to be introduced b,
| Mayor McMurray the audience attestet
| its love for him by wild and tumultu
Gus applause. Volleys of cheers aros
from the crowd in the rotunda fco
and bufeted against the galleries ia
above, only to be answered by still
greater volleys of cheers from tn
crowds hanging over the gallery rail
ings. 1t was an inspiring scene. Mel
| on the rotunda floor waved their hat
in their exultation, and from along th
gallery rails beautiful women, who's
Easter honnets lent variegated colol
under electric lights, leanen over ant
waved their handkerchief in thell
gleeful mood. 1t was an honest greet
ing of brave Westerners to warm
hearted Southerner. and demonstrated
the fact that the free silver sentiment
is bounded only by the limits OF this
great country.
It was several minutes before the ap
plause subsidized, and Mayor McMurray
was enabled to make the speech OF
welcome. The mayors welcome was
framed on broan and liberal lines. He
assured the Senator that he did not of.
fer welcome on the grounds of party
policy, but he, Republican mayor,
welcomed the distinguished guest, a
Democratic United States Senator, as
one who in this nation had stood fol
that which was right and true. The
audience cheered this sentiment to the
echo. The Mayor was again cheered
when he assured the visitor that Colo
RADIO did not look at the financial ques-
ton as local issue, but believed that
true bimetalism was the only thing
that would pring prosperity from
Maine to California.
Another opportunity for applause
canned when Ed. R. Holden stepped to
the platform and made an enthusiastic
speech of welcome in behalf of the
Tillman club. Mr.. Holden created ap-
plause at the beginning OF his speech
by turning to Senator Tillman and
saying: You are the first man who
dare d to set aside the sentiments OF
your own party and stand for the mass
es of the people," Another mighty
shout of the multitud, went up when
Mr.. Holden remarked that the pictures
of Senator Tillman adorned many cot
tage homes from the Atlantic to the
Pacific. The sentiment behind the re-
mark was that Tillman is loved by the
masses, and the audience appreciated
and approved it.
Mr., Holden then presented the SEN
ator with pitchfork, regulation size,
but made of solid silver, The wooden
handle even having large band of
the white metal. The glistening gold
tipped prongs were adorned with red,
white and blue ribbons. He handed 1t
to the Senator and the latter bowed
politely, and then handed it to Mayor
McMurray for safe keeping until he
was through a reply to the welcome:
Mr.. Holden created laughter and loud
applause by expressing the hope that
the Senator would use the prongs OF
the fork in digging down into the re-
cords of Senator Sherman and Secre-
tary Carlisle and exposing their moral
cowardice.
When Senator Tillman, who had re-
mained standing during the welcom-
ing speeches of the mayor and Mr. Hol-
den, stepped forward to make reply
the audience again gave vent to un-
stinted applause.
Senator Tillman is man Of striking
individuality. In stature he is little
above the medium, and his physique
is that of an athlete in appearance.
His face is full, his cheeks have a glow
of health and he is slightly swarthy,
as if tanned by a Southern sun. His
full forehead denotes brain power, his
square chin tells of determination. his
finely shaped head reveals the phre-
biological signs of combativeness, and,
in fact, the whole man discloses the
qualities of an intellectual fighter. He
was attired in solid black, with Prince
Albert coat buttoned closely over his
full chest. AS he brushed his black
hair back from his massive forehead,
a gold ring with a diamond setting
glistened on his right hand. He looks
the hero that he is.
When Senator Tillman began speak
ing the utmost quiet prevailed in the
large audience, for every one seemed to
be eager to catch his every word. He
has a powerful voice, with a rich
resonance, and he made himself uu-
derstood even to those in the remotest
gallery above. In beginning his re-
marks, the Senator was slow and de-
liberate, his gestures were made by his
left hand swinging outward with open
palm. But as be warmed to his sub
ject his speech became more fiery,
and his gestures were made with out
stretched arms, or perhaps both fists
were clinched and he shook them
above his head to emphasize some
point of logic, or he may sweep grace
full arc with one hand to accord with
some graceful sentiment in eloquence.
He is finished oartor.
Senator Tillman, in his response, af-
ter thanking the audience for its cour-
teous applause and the committee for
its kind attentions, then set himself
right with becoming modesty. He as.
sured the speakers who had tlattered
him that too much honor had been
done him. Then. with sober mind, he
declared. OF uas NOT ha rd for me to