Mexico weekly ledger., 1896-04-23
BLAND WELCOMED O NJ
All Lebanon and a Great Part of La.
clede County Turned Out to
Do Him Honor.


LEBANON, Mo-, April 16.-On the
arrival of Richard P. Bland from Sc.
dalia this afternoon he received such
a public ovation as was never before
seen in this city. Every business
house was decorated with bunting an6
the streets were lined with carriages.
When the $3.50 Frisco train stopped al
the station the platform was crowded
by a dense mass of the leading citi-
zens of the town and county, headed
by the following COMMITTEES: w. III.
Owen, d. r. Diffenderffer, A. Nelson,
r. ID. Walkenshaw, III. B. Clark,
Henry Clark and G. A. Vernen.
Mr.. Bland, on stepping from the
train, was greeted by cheer after
cheer. Then the Lebanon band led
the way to the Opera House, which
was filled to overlooking with enthu-
siastic citizens. Many ladies also were
in the audience. There was held a
reception, lasting IN hour. Lebanon's
new Republican Mayor, Fred Demuth,
made the address of welcome, being
introduced by Chairman r. A. Holt.
Mr.. Demuth said:
"As the representative of the citi-
zens of Lebanon, the duty, as we'll as
the happy privilege, of extending our
welcome to u honored fellow
townsmen devolves upon me.
"We all, with one accord-not as
Democrats, not as Republicans, not as
Populists, but as citizens of Lebanon
Join in approaching the honor con-
ferred on our city by the Endorsement
by the convention at Sedalia of Hon.
r. P. Bland, our own Silver Dick
for the nomination for the Presidency.
We look into the future and see Lob
anon the headquarters of the nomi-
nee; we g delegations from every
State in this grand Commonwealth
arriving daily to consult with him; we
see u city overlooking with the
great of the land; we read of the fame
of Lebanon in the great metropolitan
press; we see our laboring men jung
ling in their pockets free silver, the
result of their work on the several
coming here. We feel that no greater
honor could be conferred upon us
than in the selection of one of our cit
liens as nominee for the highest office
in the gift of the American people.
Those who are Democrats will rejoice
and show their faith by their works.
Others of us, if the next President is
to be a Democrat, would rather see r.
P. Bland than any other. Again l say
that all citizens of Lebanon, prospect
i've of party, join in extending to you
our heartfelt welcome, and if we can't
beat you we will claim some of the
spoils on the strength of being fellow
townsmen."
This speech was responded to in a
most able manner by G. w. Bradield,
one of Lebanon's pioneer citizens and
a leading Democrat. He said that the
honor conferred upon MIR. Bland was
NV hiShCoS tA1C Soulu OO CStiliiotOoy
second only to an election. He was
with him at the start of his political
career, and he expected to To- him
reach the culmination-the presidency
of the United States.
Mr.. Bland was very much affected.
Standing beneath a waving flag, the
streamers of which bore the inscrip-
ton, EBland for President" he adj
dressed the meeting, once being so
overcome with emotion that he was
compelled to stop for a moment. Mr..
Bland replied:
"Friends, Democrats, Republicans,
Populists-all before me of ali politi-
cal faiths, citizens of Laclede County:
1 thank you for the honors you confer
upon me. No man could be ~insensible
to such. Though the honor conferred
the Sedalia convention might mean
more in a political way, yet | would
prefer the will of my good neighbors."
Here Mr.. BANDS feelings mastered
him, and he paused for a moment,
while a deep feeling seemed to affect
the entire audience. Saying that he
hoped they would pardon him, he
continued:
awe are entering upon the most
important campaign of the last quar-
ter of the century. Before it is over
may divide us, but let us remain true
friapls and fallnu-oitizana - |
When he stopped speaking every
listener was visibly affected, and a
loud and mighty cheer for Dick Bland
almost rent the walls of the Opera
Then followed rousing speech
by Judge R. A. Holt, E. B. Keller
man and Judge w. l. Wallace. The
Bland GIee Club had it's banner wav-
ing over the stage, and was the first
10 start the general handwriting. Mr..
Bland received the personal congrat-
ulations of the audience with signs of
deep appreciation.
Great excitement prevails here to-
and Bland as a presidential pos
is the sole topic of converse
ton, "gold bug" Republicans being
al enthusiastic as free silver
Stock Wanted to Pasture by the
Month or Season.
l have 140 acres of good blue grass
pasture. Plenty of water and shade
for stock. Will pasture at reasonable
Three miles southeast of Rush
Hill on what is known as the "M. VI
Duncan farm" ROBERT DYE.
Commissioner Eva Booth, (the third
daughter of General BOOTH will visit
st. Iouis on Tuesday ueXt.April q and