The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-07-11


William j. Bryan. of Nebraska, was Sc
lected to-day as the standard bearer Of
the Democratic party in the campaign
for the Presidency OF the United States.
Yesterday when the handsome young
Nebraskan mounted the rostrum in the
convention hall to close the debate on
the party plat fo.In he wal considered
the merest possibility in the race for the
honor to be conferred half an hour
later. when he concluded his great rhe-
torical effort, he had become seem
Ing possibility. With the hours of the
night his chances grew and when the
convention resumed business this morn
Ing he had been established as Rich
ard =. Pand'S most formidable COM
petitor. AS the balloting progressed
his popularity among the delegates be-
came more and more apparent and his
strength In vote went by leaps and
bounds until culmination came in the
capture of Illinois and Ohio. and the
Withdrawal of Bland, with the conse-
quent transfer OF Missouri to the Bryan
column. There was no glaring trans
parencles. no life sized Autographs, no
special bands of music to attract to the
eloquent young lawyer and newspaper
man. The modest banner of the Will
liam j. Bryan Club, Nebraska or
ganization, was the only conspicuous
emblem of the Bryan cause.
During the night standard had been
prepared bearing the concluding words
of Bryans speech yesterday: mo crown
of thorns No cross OF gold" and this
alone was the most suggestive outward
indication that the Nebraskan was in
the race to stay. But II needed no arti-
ficial means, such a,; those to keep the
name of Bryan To the fore. His striking
presence, his earnest bearing, his Won
derful righteousness of voice as exhib-
tied In his speech, had not faded from
the minds of delegates and spectators,
nnd every mention of his name brought
forth hearty cheers that told the story
OF the firm hold he had upon those who
could make or unmake him in his PreSi-
Dental aspirations and upon the thouS-
ands who were onlookers and not ac-
tive participants.
The battle OF the ballots was fought
with doggedness that showed a firm
determination on the part OF those
pledged TO particular candidates to be
consistent in the desire of their hearts,
but little by little the standard of Bryan
was pressed nearer and nearer to tha
point OF vantage. At first ne gained
slowly, then g. eat leap would be made
as some delega ton of formidable num-
bers would throw its lot with his CO.
horts.
The fifth ballot was reached and the
result was still uncertain, but at its end
Bryan was all but within the goal. Dele
gates and audience became excited when
II became apparent that the Nebra skan
had gathred many recruits from the
Bland forces and cheer after cheer wene
up from floor and gallery. A rumor
went around the vast nall that Illinois,
consistent as Missouri In adherence to
the lifelong champion of free coinage of
silver, was wavering, and when Govern
or Altgeld and his associates withdrew
Tor consultations the excitement grew to
fever heat.
But the story of how 1t all came about
and of how Bryan at last was triumph
ant in the race Is told elsewhere in these
dispatches and need not be dwelt on here
Change followed change in the ballots
cast by various States and all went 10 the
man from the Platte, and when Illinois
Ohio. and finally Missouri, threw their
strength to his support, the race had
been won and William j. Bryan stood
forth In triumph as the leader of lis
party.
Exhausted by cheering che name of
the Nebraskan the vast congregation
In the Coliseum was slol0to avail itself
OF the opportunity of displaying the full
extent OF It's vigor. but X gradually
rose ito the demands of the OCCASION
ana turned loose volume of sound
that made the iron roof trer, bic in uni
son. EVERY man and woman in the hall
was standing as the Bryan supporters
on .the floor grasped the guidons indi-
eating the position OF the various States
ana marched In triumph through the
aisles surrounding the square spaces re-
served for delegates and as the guidons
OF other States Joined the procession che
cheering became madly intense Bland
banners, Boies banners, and emblems
or other candidates fell in line. and the
eliminating point in the enthusiasm
was reached, when the Bland banner,
headed by the numerous transparencies
bearing the Missourian's name, took
II I H H -. as