The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-08-13

It WIS ALMOST A PERFECT RIOT 0F ENTHUSIASM

right OF the ros'trum.
But the cheering continued and men
got uD on their chairs and waved hats
and fans in their desire to do honor to
the wife of the Democratic candidate.
women. too. rose and Joined in the
shouting. Mrs. Bryan rose to bow her
thanks. The cheering became more in
tense. She bowed again and again and
still they cheered. Through it all she
looked cool and calm, just as she up.
peared on that exciting day at Chicago,
when the Bryan wirlwlnd swept all be-
fore 1t and brought about the circum-
stances that made her so prominent a
parsonage. Finally the cheering ceased
and Mrs. Bryan began welding Il
broad leaf palm fan and surveyed the
audience. She was attired simply in
waist of light grey silk crossed with
black bars and n dark skirt A little
black let turban adorned with white
aigrette was on her headS Mrs. Bryan
had entered the hall on the arm Of Will
liam p. st. John. Mrs. St. John could
not attend on account of illness and
the wife of Governor Stone came in her
place.
Mr. Bryan had reached the garden in
company with his wife and Mr.. ST. John
but had remained below until they were
seated.
When he stepped on the stand and
was recognized by many of the audience
great cheer went up. Bryan, Bryan,
Bryan" was the shout of those who
knew him, and as others in the crowd
realized that the hero of the evening
had come the cheering became louder
and louder and threa tened not to stop.
But 1t did stop ut last and those who
timed ii said that the ovation lasted six
minutes.
AT S:l5 Senator Jones, of Arkansas.
chairman of the National Committee,
after several attempts TO calm the au-
dience, managed to get enough quiet
to announce that he had been directed
by the National Committee to nominate
as chairman of the meeting Hon. Eliot
Danforth, of New York
He made short speech and then
Governor Stone, of Missouri. came for
ward to deliver the formal notification
to Bryan and Sewall.
There were Kisses when he smoke of
the British gold standard in force i'm
America and more Kisses when he spoke
of Marcus Aurelius Hanna. "Hit him
again" sried voice in the gallery.
with reference to Mr. Hanna and a
laugh followed. Some cries. seemingly
of protest followed Governor stones
reference to Hanna, but they were not
marked.
He found sympathy I'm his audience
with his reference to bond issues of the
administration. Toward the end of his
speech the audience began to grow i'm
lntient and the spirit of the assem-
blage was shown in cries of Bryan.
Brvan"
At the outset Governor Stone explain
ed that he was acting as proxy for Sen
ator White. of California, upon whom.
as chairman of the convention would
have developed the pleasing duty of
formally notifying the candidate. but
unforeseen circumstances had kept Sen
ator White in California. Governor
Stones speech was an arraignment as
much of the Cleveland administration
as of the Republican party, and CON
cluded with an eloquent eulogium of
the Democratic candidate and q pho
phesv for him of an administration
made illustrious by great achievements.
Then turning to Mr. Bryan, Cover
nor Stone said:
"Mr. Bryan, I esteem II a great honor,
as it is most certainly pleasure. to be
made the instrument or informing you
as / now do, that you were nominated
for the office of President of the United
States by the Democratic National Con-
vention, which assembled in Chicago in
July last. hand you this formal notice
accompanied by copy of the platform
adopted by the convention, and upon
that platform have the hon
or to request your accept
ance OF the nomination. This
battle must be fought upon high ground
high above the level of partisanship.
| hope TO see you unfurl the flag in the
name of America and American man
hood. In saying this l but repeat the
expressed wish of the convention which
nominated you. DO this and though
you Will not have millions of money a.
your command, you will have millions of
sturdy Americans at your back. Lead
on and we will follow. Who will not fol-
low here is unworthy TO lead in any
cause. Lead on with unfaltering step
and may Gods blessing attend you and
his omnipotent hand crown you with
success"
When Governor Stone concluded to
alf. bryan, man began TO wave a big
American flag over the latter's head
People jumped to their feet and shouted
with vim. Cheer followed cheer, and
ed. The crowd went wild with enthusi-
asm. But this demonstration had its
ending In the desire of the people to hear
the speech to which they had been
looking forward so anxiously, and when
the man with the flag came down TO
where Mr. Bryan wars sitting and fast
ened the standard in a corner of the
stand. the cheering ceased and every
body watched with interest while Mr..
Bryan helped the banner wayer to fix
the staff in place.
Although the cheering thousands were
hot OF body and hoarse of throat. thev
rose as man when Chairman DAN
forth stepped forward and introduced
Mr.. Bryan. Then came a demonstration
that far exceeded what had followed
the mention OF his name before. The
scene presented was strongly reminis-
cent of the tumult that ragged I'm the
Coliseum at Chicago, when Bryan
finished the effort that established his
reputation as an orator Men and wo-