Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-09


procession passed through solid lines of
men and women, who raised their voices
Justify with cries of Bryan" predominant
ing in the oppressive air. Between State
street and Wabash avenue on Monroe
every inch of space was occupied by
those who wanted to hear as well as see
the presidential nominee. The Clifton
house, where Mr.. Bryan stayed during
the Chicago convention, is situated on
Monroe street, between Wabash avenue
and State street, and this hotel was cho-
sen by Mr.. Bryan for his stopping place
while here. Ten thousand people were
crowded in this space, and every window
of the Palmer house opposite, where win
dow of the adjoining buildings and even
the uncompleted elevated road loop was
taken possession of by the welcoming
host. Looking out from the balcony of
the Clifton house there was to be seen q
sea of human faces eagerly waiting for
the first sight OF the man from Lincoln
He was slow in coming on account of the
circuitous route chosen for the process
SION The scene recalled the great per-
sonal demonstration in the same spot
when President Cleveland and his bride
came to Chicago to be cheered by 100000
citizens from the balcony of the Palmer
house.
1t was nearly an hour and a half from
the time of arrival until the Bryan party
appeared on the small balcony of the
Clifton house. Mr.. Bryan rested a little
while before he showed himself to the
people, and when his face was seen there
arose a mighty and long-continued roar
of voices lasting several minutes.
They were waiting and surging to and
fro, and almost fighting for the best
places, only to see and hear Mr.. Bryan
Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan stood alongside
William j. Strong while ne tried to make
an address of welcome, but he was in
terrupted several times in the course of
his brief speech. Mr.. Strong said the
voters in that vast assembly, who had
the honor of welcoming Mr.. Bryan, were
the real business men of the city. They
were the men whose children had been
Juggling at their coat tails for bread
which they had not been able to give.
Many misguided men were there who
were under the terrorism of the press,
but whom the democratic party expect
ed to vote for Bryan in November
Men were present who resented the mon
Strous doctrine that the seat OF Ameri-
can government should be transferred
from Washington to Europe. They were
men who did not believe that factories
had been closed for lack of confidence
Cries for Bryan oft repeated practi-
cally stifed the rest of the welcoming
speech, and Mr.. Strong gave way WIFI
out saying more.
When Mr. Bryan, with his wife smiling
complacently by his side, prepared to
speak there was repetition of the DEAF
ening tumult, making 1t impossible to be
heard until he had pleaded Tor sllence'
Then he said:
Ladies' and Gentlemen: You can hear
If you will be only still. 1 have no Ian
guage that will express the emotions that
have been excited by the most remark
able demonstrations 1 have ever witness
ed. In no other country is such scene
possible. In no other country can the
people take up a private citizen and make
him their instrument to accomplish their
will When l see this asSemblage tonight
uyha T bsaf- WI at the naWSna-
pers in this city say, Qoud and continued
hissing), | am reminded of what one or
our friends said to me: Nobody Is ON
our side except the people," AS l look
Der that our enemy call them menace to
free government, l say: Who shall save
the people from themselves"
1 am proud to have in this campaign
the support of those who are proud to
call themselves the common people. IL L
was behind the great trusts and COM
binations know l would no sooner take
my seat than they would demand L
should use my power to rob the people.
Great applause) But having rather the
support of the great toiling masses, |
know when they give me their ballot
they will unite in saying: "Do your duty
and we have our reward" These are the
people who ask no favors of the govern
ment, who want equal rights for all and
special privileges for none Uong APP
plause).
/ am glad to have the support of these
people, for 1 know they would risk their
lives to save their country and fellow
citizens. l am simply on my way from
my western home to the great metropolis
of the nation to accept the nomination
given me in this city a few weeks ago.
| am glad to take your greetings. l can
tell them you are their friends and that
you will help them to save themselves
from the domination of European bond
age under which they have been suffer-
ing.
Mr.. Bryan quoted from Emerson to IL
lustrate the enduring foundation of the
nation, and closed by saying:
81 gratefully accept your greetings
and in the words of Abraham Lincoln,
say the people of the south and north
are ready to join with the people of the
east in saying that this government of
the people, by the people and for the
people, shall not perish from the earth,
| thank you for your attention"
A white banner with a golden crown of
thorns and a cross Illustrative OF Mr.
Bryan's famous epigram, and blue
banner with the words, Our next presl-
dent, the boy orator of the Platte, Will
liam J. Bryan" was presented to Mr..
Bryan. A boy sang Bryan campaign
song from the balcony. and, after call
ing in vain for "Silver Dick" Bland, who
did not attend the demonstration, the
thousands slowly disappeared.
Screen doors-Mayberry & Watson.