The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-09-24
GREAT LABOR DEMONSTRATION.
The Brooklyn Wage Farmers Pledge
Bryan Their Support.

New York, Sept. 23.-There has per-
haps never been such a significant de-
monstration for VIM. j. Bryan in the
East as that given tonight in Brook
lyn by the combined labor interests.
1t has been mooted question whether
the labor people of the East would res
pond to a call for a mass-meeting in
favor of Mr.. Bryan, but there was no
mistake about the demonstration at
the Clermont Rink. The capacity of
the building was estimated at 5000
and every available corner was filed
with good natured humanity, while
thousands beseiged the doors and were
refused admission.
1t was typical labor gathering and
even the women and children present
were filed with the enthusiasm of the
occasion. 1t was also a meeting far
out of the ordinary in its method of
procedure.
Instead of the formal introduction
naming a presiding officer, clean-cut
man with gray hair stepped to the
front of the platform shortly before
8 o'clock and said: "Will the audience
please take from their seats the song
that is there and join in singing it?"
And they responded so heartily that
the refrain, you shall not press the
crown of thorns upon the toiler's
brow" rang against the nnpainted
rafters and re-echoed again and again,
and when it was finished a mighty
cheer went up. And so it was through
out the meeting and while they were
waiting for the arrival of Mr.. Bryan,
who was speaking at another place,
they listened to several speakers.
The meeting was presided over by
the city labor organizations and the
stage contained a representative from
each local labor organization. When
the meeting was called To order every
aisle and each corridor was crowded
and when letters of regret were read
from Eugene v. Debs and John w.
Hays, secretary of the knights of
Labor, there were vociferous cheers.
Debs said in his telegram:
THE millions are with Bryan and
will place him in the chair Lincoln oc-
cupied in spite of British Toryism and
corporation coercion"
Resolutions were adopted commend
ing the work of the Chicago convention
and proclaiming:
''We believe the contest to be much
more than struggle between the
Democratic and so-called Republican
parties, more than silver against gold,
and is not fight of the people against
the rich, nor of labor against capital,
nor of the farmers against the artisan
or mechanic, nor the creditor against
the debtor class; but when sifted and
analyzed, stripped from all sophistry,
is a battle Of the people against the
oligarchy of wealth, founded on spe-
cial privileges, therefore be it
"Resolved, That we pledge our ser
vices unreseryedly to the earnest and
active support of the able young
tribune of the people, VIM. J. Bryan, |
for President Of these United States, |
and we ask the support and earnest CO. .
operation of all the toilers."
President John McKetchnie am /
nounced that it would be 9:30 o'clock
before Mr.. Bryan would arrive, and .
the audience cheered Justify his deelar
alton that 1--WE will wait until morning
il necessary
The time before the arrival OF Mr..
Bryan was whiled away by brief
speeches, John Phillips, National Sec
retary of the Hatters' Union, beginning
the addresses. Others were John Bris-
Continued on 5th page.)