The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-18

Bryan went to Il platform, erected at the
north end of the State house, where he
what is said to have been the
largest congregation .of people that ever
assembled in Lincoln.
His speech was short, for there was a
most unpleasant drizzliRg rain falling.
There was no. Introductory Speech. Mr.,
Bryan was among his own people and
needed none When he came forward he
was received with thunderous applause
MI Bryar said;
Ladies' and Gentlemen:--I. am proud
Tonight to be able to say of those who
are assembled here, these are our neigh,
lsors.' |
al beg to express to Republicans, DEM
ocrats, Populists, Prohibitionists and all
parties the gratitude which we feel for
this magnificent compliment. / say wei
because she who has shared my struggles
deserves her full share of all the honor5
that may come to me. This scene to-
night recalls the day nine years ago this
month when by accident rather than by
design, first set foot within the limits
of the city of Lincoln. l remember the
day because l fell in love with the town
and then made resolve to make it my
future home. / came among you q stran1
ger in strange land, and yet no people
have ever treated q stranger more kindly
than you have treated me. But 1 desire
to express to- night not only our great
appreciation of the kindnesses, social and
political, that you have shown us, but to
give to you this assurance, that if by the
suff1ages of my countrymen i for Il short
time occupy the most honorable position
within the gift of the people, / shall re-
turn to the people who first took me in
their arms This shall be my home when
earthly honors have passed away and 1
shall mingle my ashes with the dust of
this beloved State. This is no political
gathering. | 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 l am so glad that
love can leap across party lines and abide
in holy friendship with those whose judg
ment go apart. l.. thank the mayor of
this great city for the charity which he
has shown to-day. l thank all those of
all parties who have been willing, for the
moment, to forget the differences that
exist between us and join in celebrating
the fact that at last the nomination for
President has crossed the Missouri river.
We are glad the Prohibition party came
to our city for its candidate and if the
great Republican party which for so many
years has dominated in the counsels of
the nation had selected n Nebraska man
for the head of that ticket would have
leu you III uOlHB nOnOr TO MIN, regard
less of what his opinions might have
been. am glad that the States of this
Union, East and West and South, will
have their attentions turned toward this
great prairie State and towards this cap
ital city. We believe, my friends, that
when our fellow citizens in other sections
of this land shall become acquainted with
the people of this State and the people of
this nation that they will be brought
nearer to us and that it will be tie to
bind us all in common love of the great
est nation on Gods footstool to-day; and
now, until can see each one of you per-
sonally and express my thanks by pres
sure of the hand or by my voice, permit
me to bid you all, in behalf of my wife
and myself, good night
At the conclusion of his address the
crowd sent up a shout that made the
whole State house tremble. Cheer after
cheer.went up and the enthusiastic pop
ulace was fairly mad in it's effort-to
demonstrate its admiration.
Upon their return home after the de-
monstration at the State house Mr.. and
Mrs. Bryan held reception at their home
in honor of the visiting members of the
press.