The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-18
SPOKE IN DRILLING RAIN.
UGLY WEATHER DID NOT DAMPEN
THE ARDOR OF THE
CROWD
POLITICS LEFT QUITE OUT OF 1T.
For Once Mr.. Bryan Did Not Touch
Directly ON the Free Silver
Question.

and people, William J. Bryan. the
Democratic nominee for president.
entered this, the capital city of Ne
braska, this evening. 1t was an ova-
ton the like of which the people of
this part Of the country never before
witnessed. Half the population Of .the
city, men women and children, were
at the depot to welcome him home.
| 1t was non-partisan reception, for
both Democrats and Republicans par
ticipated in 1t. The mayor Of the city
the city council and distinguished cit
liens Of every political belief were at
the train. AS far as the eve could
reach, were thronged streets, crowded
windows and enthusiastic shouters.
There were bands of music, men carry
banners with notices, complimentary
to the Democratic leader and flags
and bunting hung from the fronts of
the business houses and dwellings,
Even the newsboys crying the even
ing papers wore Bryan caps and thous-
ands Of people blew tin horns or rang
COW bells. Ali this enthusiastic dis
play occurred in spite of the fact that
the sky was over cast with a dull
heavy cloud and drizzling rain was
falling. All day long excursion trains
had been bringing in people from the
surrounding country, and tonight
the whole town was In a turmoil Of
enthusiastic delight
From the time Mr.. Bryan and his
family left Kansas city, until they
reached home, there was a continuous
ovation. At Kansas City, Judge o. M.
| Spencer general counsel for the Bur-
l1ngton road, had the private car at
| tached to the train. He was accom-
panied by his wife and they did much
to make 1t pleasant for the free sill
yer nominee and his family. AS soon
as Mr.. Bryan and his family alighted
from the train. they were driven to
their home where friends and neigh
bors had prepared feast for them.
The house had been deliberately dec
Grated with flags and bunting, and the
lawn was hung with electric lights.
From their home they were Driven in
a carriage, escorted by Bryan march
Ing clubs and military bands, to the
state house, where they received the
citizens of the capital city.
When the reception was over. Mr..
Bryan went to a platform erected at
the north end of the state house where
] addressed what is said to have been
the largest congregation of people ever
| assembled in Lincoln His speech was
short for there was a most unnleasan
rain falling There was no introduce
! tory speech. Mr. Bryan was among
his own people, and needed none.
When he came forward, he was re-
! ee1ved with a thunderous applause.
Mr.. Bryan said:
L am proud tonight to be able to say
of those who are assembled here.
u aNn 1irr1,I
and cheerS) l beg to express to Re
/ publlcans. Democrats. Populfsts, Pro-
/ hib1tionists and all of all parties the
gratitude which we feel for this mag
nlf1cent compliment. / say we be-
! cause she who has shared my strug-
giles, deserves her full share of all the
honors that may come to me. This
scene recalls the day. nine years ago
! this month, when by accident, rather
| than by design, 1 first set foot within
the limits of the city of Lincoln. 1 re-
member the day because I fell in love
with the town and then made the re-
solve to make it my future home 1
came among you stranger in
| strange land, and yet no people have
ever treated a stranger more kindly
! than you have treated me.
Il desire to express tonight, not only
graceful appreciation for all the
kindness, social and political, that you
| have shown US, but to give to you this
assurance; that if by the suffrages Of
| my countrymen I for short time oc-
cupy the most honorable position with
in the gift of the people; that shall
! return to the people who first took me
| In their arms. (Applause) This shall
be my home, when earthly honors have
passed away and 1 shall mingle my
ashes with the dust of this beloved
state. Great applause)
This is no political gathering. I see
here the faces of those who with hearts
as honest as l hope my own heart is,
differ from me on all the issues Of the
day, but 1 am so glad that love can
| leap across party lines and abide in
| holy friendship with those whose judg-
ments go apart. Great applause)
I thank the mayor of this great city for
the charity which he has shown today
l thank those of all parties who have
| been willing for the moment to forget
| the difference that exists between us
and join in celebrating the fact that at
last the nomination for president has
| crossed the Missouri river Great ap-
| plause and cheering) We are glad
that the Prohibition party came to our
city for its candidate, (applause) and
II the great Republican party which
for so many years has dominated In
! the councils of the nation had selected
| a Nebraska man for the head of that
ticket, I would have led you in doing
honor to him, regardless Of what his
| opinion might have been. I am glad
that the states Of this union, East and
West and South will have their atten-
| ton turned toward this great prairie
state and towards this capital city.
| (Applause)
I'VE believe, my friends. that when
| our fellow citizens in other sections of
this land, shall become acquainted
! with the people OF this state, that they
will be brought nearer to us, and that
1t will be tie to bind us all in com
mon love of the greatest nation on
Coos footstool today. s(Great ap-
! plause.) And now, until can see
each one of you personally, and ex-
press my thanks by pressure of the
hand or by my voice, permit me to bid
you all in behalf OF my wife and my
self good night"
| At the conclusion of his address. the
crowd sent up a shout that fairly made
| the old state house tremble. Cheer at
ter cheer went up, and the enthusiastic
popuiace went fairly mad In it's ef-
forts to demonstrate Its admiration.
Upon their return home. after the
| demonstration at the state house. Mr..
and Mrs. Bryan held reception at
their home in honor of the visiting
members Of the press. The Joyous up
roar in the way Of blowing horns. ring
Ing bells and discharging fireworks
was kept up till long after midnight.
MP. and Mrs. Bryan will go to Omaha
tomorrow, where In the evening fhoro