The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-07-26

a 6REAI DEMONSTRATION.
Gen. Weaver, in his opening remarks,
asked the convention not to APPLAUD
and the delegates listened to him with
out much demonstration. But when
he concluded by naming that splendid
young statesman, VIM. j. Bryan, the
convention broke loose. Cheer follow
ed cheer.
The delegates jumped to their chairs
and flags handkerchiefs, coats, hats,
State guidons, were waved in wild con
fusion.
Through one side entrance four men
carried big yellow cross, four by
eight feet in size, surmounted by a
crown of thorns. ON it was inscribed
the eloquent words which Bryan closed
his brilliant speech at Chicago
You shall not press cross of thorns
upon the brow of labor YOU shall not
cruelty mankind upon a cross of gold"
A big crayon portrat of the Ne
braska statesman was also carried into
the hall. The cross, banners and State
guiClons were carried frantically about
the hall. Then, with the cross leading
they were carried to the stage, where
for five minutes they danced in cOnfu-
sion while the delegates hOwled with
delight.
AS the procession passed the Texas
delegation a free fight almost occurred.
Men struggled and fought to bar the
passage, but the way was finally clear
ed. Several men fought hike mad over
the possession of the Missouri stand
ard. 1T was broken into bits. hnt a
stalwart young Bryan man carried
piece OF it through in triumph to the
platform, while the struggling dispu-
tanJs were separated by the police.
The Texas and Arkansas standards
alone were kept close to the middle-of-
the-road banner, around which the
radicals formed a hollow square like
desperate men in battle, to repulse
the charges of the enemy.
Miss Minerva Roberts, a beautiful
young lady, led the cheering in the
Colorado delegation.
While the demonstration was at its
height, thousands of copies of the
s'Bryan Silver March," were flung in
the air and fell in clouds on the frantic
delegates. Each of the verses concluded
with these words:
Chink, chin<, chink,
No crown of lthorns for labor's brow,
Chink, chink, chink,
Chink, chink, chink,
Wen not to single standard bow,
Chink, chink, chink,
Well vote for freedom now.
When quiet was restored, after sew
enteen minutes of bedlam, Gen. Field,
who was General Weaver's running
mate in 1892, hobbled forward on his
crutches and after brief speech,
moved to suspend the rules and make
Bryan'S nomination unanimous.
TEXAS ENTERS A PROTEST.
The convention rose almost en- masse
and cheered, but above the chorus of
cheers came the sharp cries of the
Texas men.
NO, no. they yelled.
The chairman decided the motion
carried, but yielding to the protest,
decided to allow call of States on the
motion.
The Texas men wildly protested. and
Chairman Allen art last recognized Zed
stump" Ashby, of the Lone Star
State for personal explanation"
Ashby, who has been a most disturb
ing factor in the convention, spoke
from the stage. He announced that
Texas was ready to endorse Bryan if
Bryan would endorse the platform
adopted.
Stump's speech was not well re-
ceived. Chairman Allen ordered the
roll-call to proceed. The greatest con-
fusion prevailed.
When a semblance of order was re-
stored Congressman Howard, from
Alabama, protested against an infiic-
ton of gag law" Chairman Allen
stated the question was the motion TO
suspend the rules and nominate Bryan
by acclamatiOn.
''By we won't stand it."
yelled r. H. Noles.
Some one got on the platform and
read above the din, a telegram to
Henry y. Lloyd, of Chicago, from Eu-
gene Y. Debs, declining to permit the
use of his name.
At last as the only way of restoring
order. Gen. Field Withdrew his motion
and the call of the States for nomina-
tions was continued.
Then came many seconding speech
es, intersperced with disorder, and con-
fusion. The speakers included Taube-
neck, Kolb, of Alabama; Calamity"
Weller, and Jerry Simpson.
While Simpson was talking the
Texas delegation withdrew in body
and absolute quiet prevailed for the
first time during the day.
Louisiana yielded to Colorado and
the rugged State sent to the platform
as her champion, Mrs. Minerva Ro-
berts.
Her first sentence, delivered in a
clear, musical and sympathetic voice,
aroused them to cheers. Her brief
speech was one of the most eloquent
delivered in the convention.
When she finished the convention
arose and cheered and she was be-
seiged on all sides of the platform with
congratulations
Mr.. Call, of New York, placed Col.
S. NJ. Norton, of Illinois, in nomination.
He eulogized Mr.. Norton as ''philan-
thropist, a man of the people, pioneer
in the cause of reform
Mrs. Mary Ellen Lease, of Kansas,
made strong speech in the same
cause. She was dressed in a suit of
silver gray. She talked fuently with
the voice of practical speaker.
Delegate Livingston, Chairman of