Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-09-19

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There was very large attendance at
the meeting of the Bryan, Sewall and
Rixey Club last night ExMayor
Strauss presided. Final arrangements
were made for the reception of William
]. Bryan, and committee of ten, con-
sisting Of Messrs. NJ. B. Harlow, Henry
Strauss, ]. Fl. May, S, H. Lunt, Charles
Cavalier, j. T. Beckham, 81 Noble
Lindsey, John II. Strider, ]. NJ. Hill,
J. A. Marshall and Will F. Carne, was
appointed to go to Quantico this morn
ing to escort Mr.. Bryan to this city.
These gentlemen left here shortly af-
ter II o'clock. Mayor Thompson had
ordered the town bell 10 be rung when
the train reached this city. The cannon
which doomed forth on Windmill Hill
at the raising of the Bryan and SeWa!l
flag had been placed on the fair grounds,
and as the trafu rolled into the city,
about half-past three this evening, the
peal eff the bells, the inspiring music,
the hurrahs Of tthe thousands in and
around the depot and the roar Of the
cannon produced an enthusiasm never
before witnessed ir Alexandria. From
Prince street to Coiross on Fsyette a
dense crowd appeared, and the train
seemingly moved through sea of hui
man beings. The windows, doorways
and front steps of houses were crowded
and handkerchief were being waved in
every direction. The train finally came
to standstili at the depot when Mr..
Bryan made his appearanee. Th9 ye!ls
which rent the air were deafenlng and
prolonged.
The train was thirteen minutes late,
it being $50 before It ceme to a stand
still. At that time the crowd was sway
ing in every direction, most of them not
knowing which car contained MIR.
BRYAN. He was ia the last car, Pull
man, and it stopped a few feet north OF
King street. Mr.. BRYAN was on the
rear platform surrounded by the COM
mittee from this city who had gone to
Quantico to meet him. A blast from
the cannon was followed by music
from the Third Regiment Drum Corps.
Mr.. BRYAN waved his hand for silence
when Mr.. M. B. Harlow in
some appropriate remarks intro
duced the distinguished guest.
Mr.. Bryan began his speech by
saving that he was about to leave
historic old Virginia, and he did so re-
luctantly, as no State in the Union
bore to him such tender memories. The
dust of his ancestors is part CT her
soil, and her history was pregnant with
much dear to every American. When
we spoke of independence we naturally
turned to its author, Thomas Jefferson,
Vireinian; when our hearts turn to
patriotism our thoughts go out to the
Father Of the Country now sleeping at
Mount Vernon, and when the issues OF
the Monroe doctrine are discussed, its
originator, a Virginian, too, appears to
our minds eye. And to day there are
no people on earth more devoted to in
dependence than those of Virginia;
they believe in the policy Of indepen-
dence. The nation at the beginning
looked to the Old Dominion for indie
pendence. Great and prolonged cheer
ing. They believe the people are able
to legislate for themselves and propose
enabling them to do so. More
cheers There was trouble at
times in getting voters 10 the polls
but he was happy to say it would not
be so on this occasion. There was no
lukewarmness; men were either one
thing or another; all were earnest, and
he was glad to sea it so. whether they
belonged to one party or the other. The
people knew the power OF self govern
ment. and they were bound to have it..
There would be no need of of carriages
next November to take people to the
polls; an army wouldn't keep them
away. Great cheering. Let the en-
thusasm grow, and be i'll equal earnest
next November, and let us hope you
will be equally happy after that time.
MIR. Bryan concluded by saying that
should things turn out as desired he
would be near neighbor after next
November and would come down often.
Applause. The speaker had been
told that one of the first democratic
!, flags in the country had been raised in
Alexandria. He hoped none would
live to regret it. Great cheering.
Large numbers surged to the Car to
shake hands with Mr.. Bryan at the con-
clusion of his speech.
Mayor Thompson, upon being intro
duced, said he rendered the distinguish
ed visitor hearty welcome on behalf
=, of old Alexandria, and hoped we would
I all gather around him at the east front
of the Capitol on the 4th OF next March
, to see him proclaimed President of the
United States.
, A delegation from the Bryan, Sewall
4 and Rixey Club, of this city, wearing
badges. met Mr.. Bryan at the station.
The train then moved away amid
hurrahs, music and cannon firing, and
after taking on some extra cars for the
!. accommodation of Alexandrians who
!, desired to accompany the party to
Washington sped on to the capital city
y INvIrATIoN.-At the meeting last
< night of Old Dominion Commandery
< X. T., an invitation was extended to
S ST. Georges Commandery, OF Beverley
b Mass, to pay them fraternal visit
: The date was left to the convenience Of
t the members of Beverley Commandery