The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-07-14
TAKES HONORs EASY
MIR. Bryan Hears the Newws of His
Nomination.

Nomination.
Chicago, July 11.-Mr Bryan received the
st,t3uneement Of his nomination with all
the composure and calmness of a man
who had been used to such things during
longer life than his. His handsome, black
eyes were perhaps slightly more dilated
than ordinarily when the Associated Press
bulletin carrying the nomination message
was handed to him, but otherwise he man.
ifested no change of countenance or man
ner He was at the time sitting chatting
with two newspaper friends in his parlor
at the Clifton House.
'If," said he, ''this is true, l want to
Go that which / have for some time had in
contemplation in this emergency
He then turned to the parlor table, and
with a lead pencil wrote on a scrap of soft
paper supplied by one Of his newspaper
visitors the following:
ITO the American People, In order that
/ may have no ambition but to discharge
faithfully the duties of the office, l desire
TO announce that il elected president l shall
under no circumstances be candidate for
reelection. w. ]. Bryan"
Before he could complete his work,
number Of persons desiring to extend con-
gratulations, had arrived, but he excused
himself to them until he could finish the
message. He then shook hands cordially
with all present and immediately hurried
away to the barber shop to be shaved.
The news had in the meantime become
generally known, and the rather con-
stricted lobby of the Clifton was COM
allowed his distinguished customer to leave
the tonsorial chair There were loud
cheers and calls for a speech. Taking
stand on the stairway, Mr.. Bryan said:
''My Friends: l assure you that ! am
extremely grateful for the great compli-
ment which | am assured has been paid
me by the Democratic national convention.
Ii Of whether
the nom: nation is a wise or an unwise one.
For my part, do not know. This WILL Of
course, be determined by the contest which
will be decided at the polls next November,
when it will be known not only whether
l shall be elected or defeated, but I'M
measurably more important than that,
whether the cause Of silver shall lose or
win l will only add that hope that those
who accept the views of the Democratic
platform, which was yesterday adopted,
will lose no opportunity to influence the
result in the interest of the doctrines here
in inculcated. | thank you for this mani
festation of your endorsement"
The brief speech was received with
loud and generous burst of applause ana
demand for an opportunity to shake hands
with the candidate. An impromptu recep-
ton followed for about twenty minutes at
the foot of the stairway.
Not Unexpected.
The reception concluded, Mr.. Bryan re-
turned to his private room, where he said
to an Associated Press reporter:
'.There is nothing | care to say more
than / have already said in the brief state
ment have given out in regard to second
term l may add in explanation of this
statement that it was not the result OF O
sudden impulse, for | have had in nina
the propriety of making such an announce
ment ever since have regarded this noml-
nation as a probability. | believe 1T to be
iAn1lax io q
highest honor that can be bestowed by this
country upon human being, and the power
of the office is so great that there ought 10
be no temptation to the man occupying the
office to use it for his own advancement.
My declaration is not unprecedented. MT.
Cleveland in his first letter of acceptance,
set forth the objections to a second term,
in language so forcible that 1T cannot be
surpassed. President Hayes advocated an
amendment to the constitution making hold
ers of the presidential office Ineligible for
reelection, and a similar amendment was
suggested by Andrew Jackson.
II desire also to express my deep appre-
citation for the kindness shown me by other
candidates and then friends and to say that
I consider my nomination is due to the pc
culiar circumstances which surround this
CAMPAIGN and not to any superior merit or
nv own. In fact had the convention con-
sidered who was most deserving, the honor
would have fallen upon another. l can only
add that l soShighly appreciate the respon-
eibility imposed by the nomination that
have avoided making any pledges to any
person..
Mr. Bryan said in reply to questions, that
he has not only made no plans for the cam
paign but that he had not even determined
when he would return to his home IN Ne
braska. When asked If he would make any
speeches during the campaign, he replied
that he had had no opportunity to consider
what he would Go and could not say.