Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-08-13
BRYAN AND SEWALL NOTIFIED.

William jennings Bryan and Arthur
Sewall were formally notified last night
that they were the choice of the demo-
cratic party for the highest offices in the
gift of the people of the United States.
The occasion was one to which the Ell
tire country had been looking forward
to for many weeks, and interest had
risen to the boiling point.
Whatever might be the political in
clinations Of any person who attended
this grand ratification of the democracy
at the spacious Madison Square Garden,
ne must have been permeated with the
blindest prejudice not to have been
thrilled by the excitement and the
enthusiasm which prevailed during the
entire time the notification ceremonies
lasted. The presence OF so stupendous
crowd OF human beings was in itself
au eloquent tribute to the Importance
attached to the occasion.
Outside the garden the widest ex-
element had been prevailing. At 6
o'clock Inspector Cortrght, who had
charge of the police arrangement, es
tablished mis- GORDON about the build
Jog. Over one thousand uniformed po-
lIcemen were stationed in and about the
hall
The crowd began to assemble shortly
after o'clock, and an hour later the
avenues leading to the Garden We're
literally thronged with the waiting
multitude. The extreme heat of the
day had by 20 means spent its fury and
many OF those who had arrived early to
secure good positions in the line were
obliged to drop out and retire to more
favored places.
All o'clock the doors were thrown
open and despite the efforts of the po-
lice TO restrain them the crowds on
every side made desperate rushes for
the entrances. In the struggle many
women tainted and had 10 be carried
away. The police finally began to use
their clubs in an effort TO restore order.
A wild scene of turmoil ensued at the
main entrance. Men, women and
policemen were jumbled together in an
indiscriminate mob.
There was little decoration in the
hall.
Seats on the platform Immediately
III the rear of the rostrum had been re-
served for members of the national
committee, members of the notification
committee and a few distinguis he'd
democrats.
In the boxes surrounding the plat
form were seated Mrs. Bryan, ex.Con-
gresham and Mrs. Bland, Senator
Blackburn, of Kentucky; Congressman
Sulzer and Walsh, of New York; Gen.
Bond, of Maryland, and many others.
The members of the notification COM
mittee entered without exciting any
demonstration. Then came the ma.
tional committee, and with them Ar
thur Sewall, the ce-presidential can
didaie. He was recognized by only a
lew and the vast majority of the audi
ence did not understand the sporadic
cheering in the audience and the hand
clapping on the stand. But it was
when the young wife of the young Ne
braska nominee entered the box re-
served for the use of horself and her
friends that the assemblage let itse.f
loose for the first time. Mrs. Bryan
rose to bow her thanks. The cheering
became more intense. She bowed
again and again and still they
cheered.
1t was o'clock when Mr.. Bryan had
reach the Garden in company with his
wife and Mr.. St. John. but had remained
below until they were seated. But
when he stepped on the stand and was
recognized by many in 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 threatened not to stop.
At S:l5 o'clock Senator Jones, chair
man of the national committee, an
nounced that he had been directed by
the national committee to nominate as
chairman of the meeting Hon. Elliott
Danforth, of New York.
Mr.. Danforth was cheered with hear
ty good will. He told the people that
be knew they did not want speech,
and ne was not going to disappoint
them. He closed by presenting Gov.
William A. Stone, Of Missouri, chair
man of the committee on notification.
There were more cheers as Missouri's
chief executive came forward to give
formal notification to Messrs Bryan and
Sewall of their nomination by the demo
cratic convention.
There were Kisses when he spoke Of
the British gold standard in force it,
America, and more misses when lie
spoke of Marcus Aurelius Hanna. Hit
him again." cried voice in the gallery
with reference to Mr.. Hanna, and q
laugh followed.
Some cries, seemingly of protest, fol-
lowed Gov. Stones reference to Mr..
Hanna, but they were not marked.
He found sympathy with his audi
0ience with his reference to bond issues
of the administration. Toward the end
of his speech the audience began to
grow impatient, and the spirit of the
assemblage was shown in cries o!
"Bryan, Bryan"
When Governor Stone concluded
with the notification of his nomination
to Mr.. Bryan, man began to wave
big American flag over the latter's head.
People jumped to their feet and shout
ed with vim. Cheer followed cheer
and for minute or two pandemonium
reigned The crowd went wild with
enthusiasm, and lung power was drawn
on to en alarming extent. Then Chair
man Danforth stepped forward aud in
Ii rccduced Mr.. Bryan. Then came de-
monstratiod that far exceeded those