The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-29
He Addresses An Audience Of
$1,000 in New York.
People Came From Miles Around
to Hear Him.
FARMERS DELIGHTED.
They Cheer Many Of Bryan's
Hits and Periods.
Eastern, as Western, Farmers
Are For Silver Apparently.

Niagara Falls Aug. 29.-This was the
day of the farmer on William :. Bryan's
campaign tours and the most interest
ing since he came into the enemy's
country. Out in the woods of Knowles
vile near Niagara Falls he addressed
the farmers at least 30 300 by cOnserv-
alive estimate at least 15,000-It was the
occasion Of New Orleans county annual
barbecue, and Mr. Bryan was asked to
attend. He was billed to reach here at
noon, and with the remarkable activity
of the man he was up and doing early
this morning. He took an electric car
from Buffalo at a. m. for Niagara
Falls stopping only at TOnaWanda for
e i've minutes speech.
Two hours were spent at the falls
after which the journey to Knowles
vile began. Along the route stops
were made at Suspension bridge, Lock
port and Medina with about $4,000 gath
cred at each place He was obliged to
decline speech making with the excuse
The spirit is willing but the throat is
weak" Out in the woods at Knowles
vile Mr. Bryan spoke to the enormous
crowd frequently indulging in repartee
at which the auditors shouted with en-
thusiasm. Mr.. Phillips, a Republican
free silver man who served several
terms in the legislature, presided and
introduced Mr.. Bryan as THE Great
CommOner." The candidate talked in
competition with a remarkable array
OF side shows, merry go-rounds and
shell games which had come to prey
upon the farmers.
A gang of sharpers is following in the
wake Of the Bryan campaign and today
many pockets were picked. After the
speech it seemed for time that the
candidate might be slaughtered for the
men who wanted to shake hands near
ly pulled him from the carriage, ex-
hausting him so he was obliged to rest.
At o'clock he boarded the train for
Niagara Falls where he spoke to q
large audience in the evening from the
balcony Of the Cataract House.
KnOwlesville, n. Y, Aug. 29.-Several
stops were made between Niagra Falls
and this point but no speeches were
made. The candidates voice was get
ting unnanageable- My head is will
ling but my throat is weak" he eX-
planned to the people of LOckport who
had chartered q band and burned gun
powder to greet him. Men sat around
like bees over the freight cars and en-
gines in the yard and a cluster Of farm
erS' wagons, while some hundred agri-
cI1turists surrounded the depot, pro-
baby a thousand all told.
After Mr.. Bryan had apOlogfZed for
the shortcomings Of his voice they. per-
sisted in their calls so that he said a
few words, thanking them for the in
terest which they displayed in the cam
paign- The same scene was repeated
at Medina, where farmers seemed to
compose a majority of the concOurse
Mrs Bryan's car seat had been heaped
with bouquets by the ladies of Lock |
port and at Medina she scattered |
ch1-ysantheTnunls among the struggling
crowd fighting for every blossom. The
train itself was OvercrOWded with pas
sengers, many of whom bought tickets /
for the sake of sight Of the Nebraska /
orator
They pushed into the last car where
the Bryans were until it was crowded /
like a circus tent. Men and women
were standing on the seats staring at (
Mr.. and Mrs Bryan From the car
window the country roads along the |
line could be seen with long files of |
teams all headed for KnOWlesville |
whittier all the roads were leading.
knowesville was reached at a quarter |
after one A hearty welcome was Civ |
en- and the farmers wagons at the lit /
tie depot were decorated with flags and /
home made banners displaying Htho- |
graphs of the candidate. One wagon /
drawn by four white horses was wait |
ing for the party and IN this they were /
hurried the band leading the way and /
so wagons trailing behind in the march /
TO the village two miles distant. Thus /
were the organs escorted to the home /
OF MI and Mrs. Eugene Wood and /
entertained at lunch by them and Mrs. /
Morey Hodgemen, friend Of theirs |
who is spending the summer here. |
After lunch they were taken to /
Knowlesville where Mr.. Bryan spoke |
in the open air to country people as /
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle |
men.-my voice is so husky that you
will have to help me to speak by being |
perfectly quiet shall make myself !
heard to as many as possible and in a !
moment hope my voice will be clear |
enough to reach the outskirts.
This is a very unusual spectacle. I /
have seen immense audiences in the /
cities, where a great many people live
in small territory, but this is the /
largest audience that have ever seen
assembled in the midst of the agricul-
tural countries. (Applause) am glad /
to notice the mothers and wives as we'll /
as the sons and husbands because our
cause is the cause in which the whole /
family is interested. Great applauseO
II we are entitled to succeed in this
campaign, it is because the principles
which we represent and the policies for
which We stand will rebound to the
benefit Of the husbands and wives the
parents and children and all the people
OF our beloved land I am glad that at
this meeting we are having as the pre-
siding officer, a man who until this
year, has voted the Republican ticket
am glad because the newspapers pa
rade before the public the names Of
prominent Democrats who are going to
desert the ticket and I am glad that for
every Democrat deserter we are bound
party more than enough to make I'D
the difference. (Applause.) Politics is
2 practical question It is SO simply
because 1t can be cOmprehended by our
people / want to talk practical pOIf-
9lcs to you little while this afternoon. /
1 but desire to suggest some thoughts
which may help you in your study of 1
the issues and your determination of |
the part which you shall take. want !
70 read to you an extract of speech
made by John G. Carlisle in 1875. and I |
want you to mark the political philos-
ophy therein set forth. He was speak
ing on an amendment to the Bland act |
and he used these words:
If the execution OF this measure |
could be entrusted to a public officer
whose opinions on the subject were In |
accordance with those of the American
peOple'-let me pause for a moment !
gay that it was desirable at that time to |