Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-20
BRYAN At NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Tribute to Mary, Mother of WASH
inrton, and TO Motherhood.

FREDERICKsBURG. VA, September
19.-Up at dawn and of for Washington
at o'clock was the manner in which
William J. Bryan began his programme
for to-day. 4 day coach attached TO the
Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac
accommodation brought him to this old
CITY. lie arrived here at 9. delivered
a speech at 1910. and left for Washing
ton at 1:49 p. NJ. AIr. Bryan was ac-
companied from Richmond by recep-
ton committee headed by Captain Ter
ence McCracken. Several stops were
made along the route.
Ashland. the seat of Randolph Macon
COLLEGE. had Ar. Bryan two minutes, and
most OF those who heard him there were
students. To them he said. II believe
this county claims the honor Of being
the birthplace of two OF Americas great
est men. Henry Clay, the "mill-boy Of
slashes' was born I'm this county as was
also Patrick Horny. l believe the policy
for which 1 stand I'm this campaign ia
some respects reyiyls the memories Of
both men. Henry Clay Ia lSi5 describes
the effects Of contracting the currency.
and Patrick Henry was in favor OF an
American policy" Applause)
a few more words were said to small
number Of people at Milford.
4 few hundred men. women. and boys
gathered at the station cheered Alr. Bry-
am as he descended from the train here,
accompanied by the Reception Commit
tee that had met him az Richmond
TOO MUDDY FOR MARCHING.
The streets Of the historic old town
were too muddy for the marching escort
OF the candidate 10 proceed with COM
fort. so part OF the procession walked
along the pavements, while number
Of mounted men rode beside Mr.. Bryan's
carriage. 4 brass band led the parade.
which proceeded 10 the Exchange Hotel.
At II o'clock Mr.. Bryan was taken TO
the monument erected 10 the memory
of Mary. the mother Of Washington. who
lived here for many years. Here n
stand had been erected. and the candi-
date addressed large gathering of Vir-
gnians.
The crowd that assembled 10 hear Mr..
Bryan was a disappointment IN regard
20 numbers. but was fully Up 10 expecta-
ton in expressing enthusiasm.
Mr. Bryan and the members Of his
party were entertained at the houses Of
Mayor w. S. White and e. d. Cole. and
then proceeded to the speakers stand
Between 1000 and 5000 people were pres
emit. CONGRESSMAN Jones introduced Mr.
BRYAN, who spoke az follows:
MR.. BRYANs SPEECH.
Ladies and Gentlemen: I am grateful
10 the Mayor Of your city for his eloquent
words Of welcome; l am glad TO renew
my acquaintance With my colleague in
Congress. who has so kindly presented
me. and / am pleased 10 greet the people
who have assembled in such large large
numbers upon this occasion. Fredericks
burg IS not a large city. and yet II is
rich in incidents OF great historic value.
Here the women OF America have reared
monument TO Mary. the mother OF
George Washington. Great applause) l
am glad TO stand on this spot. l am glad
TO feel the influences which surround her
grave. In a campaign. especially in a
campaign like this. there is bitterness
and sometimes abuse levelled against the
candidates for public Office; but. my
friends. there is one character the mother,
the candidate for the affections OF all
mankind. against whom no true man
ever uttered a word OF abuse. Great ap-
plause) And there Is one name, mother
which Is never found upon the tongue OF
the slanderer; In her presence all criti-
cism IS silent
THE painter has with his brush trans
ferred the landscape 10 the canvas, so
that YOU can almost believe that the trees
and grasses are real rather than imita-
ton. The painter has even transferred
TO the canvas the face OF the maiden
until its beauty and purity almost speak
forth, but there is one picture which no
painter has ever been able TO faithfully