Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-07-15

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tuous applause, and at one time or another
each of the great leaders had received the
enthusiastic approval of the entire major
ity of the convention. But still there was
an absence of conviction that amounted
to anything like certainty that the man
for the occasion was in sight. Pervading
the great throng of patriots, however,
there was feeling that the Moses Of the
movement was surely at hand.
VIM. J. Bryan of Nebraska, had come to
the convention at the head of a contested
delegation. He was neither preceded nor
followed by brass bands or shouters. Ifhe
had the remotest idea of being selected as
the standard bearer of the Democracy,
nobody knew it. He was there merely as a
private in the ranks, with no thought other
than the success of the great cause that
burned in his soul. He WAS selected to
close the debate on the platform. His
speech appears elsewhere in this issue. 1t
electrified the convention and is now re-
verberating in every nook and corner of
the Union like the blast of bugle, calling
once more into action that invincible
spirit which, in 1776, tore down the first
strongholds of tyranny and oppression
that showed themselves on American soil.
And that speech revealed the man Of the
supreme occasion. From the moment of
its delivery there was no longer any doubt
that William Jennings Bryan was the
man to lead the Democratic hosts to
victory.
Had there been ballot then, or that
night, there would have been no other
name but that of Bryan to receive serious
consideration. The friends of Bland real
lied the fact and so did the friends Of Boies.
Indeed, every leader in the vast throng
appreciated the situation fully, and in the
hope that there would be change Of feel
ing by morning, with the greatest diff
ficulty, by combined effort, they secured
an adjournment. But the expected change
did not develop. Next morning, 1t was
found that the feeling which had its origin
in the convention on the day before had
pervaded the city tn such an extent that it
could almost be felt in the atmosphere.
Not only this, it had settled down in fra
grant perfume over the whole nation, from
lake to gulf and ocean to ocean. That the
eloquent patriot from Nebraska should
bear the banner of the people in their
most righteous fight no longer admitted
of question.
First ballot.-Bland, 2S5; Bryan, 1l9;
Boies, So: Mclean, 54; Matthews, 81;
Campbell, l; Pattison, 95; Pennoyer, 8;
Russell, 2; Stevenson, Z; Tillman, II;
Teller, 8; Hill,1 l. Not voting l7s.
Second ballot.-Bland, 2s3; Boies, Al ;
Matthews, 80; Mclean, So; Blackburn, Al;
Pattison, 100; Bryan, 100; Pennoyer, 8;
Stevenson, 10; Hill, l; Teller, 8. Not
voting 162.
Third ballot.-Bland, 29l; Boies, SO /;
Mclean, 54 Bryan, 2l9; Blackburn, q;
Pattison, 81; Stevenson.9; Hill, l. Not
voting 162.
Fourth ballot.-Bland, 24l; Boies, SO;
Matthews, SO; Mclean, As; Bryan, 2sO +;
Blackburn, q; Pattison, 81; Stevenson,
8; Hill, /. Not voting 16l.
After the fourth ballot, it became appar-
ent that the Bryan feeling was so strong
that it could be resisted no longer, and as
the fifth ballot progressed, one after anoth-
other, the favorite SONS who had up to this
time been supported most Loyalty, were
withdrawn. In fact, after the third ballot,
there were % states attached to the Bryan
standard, and before the fourth ballot
commenced, the delegates from these
states seized their respective standards
and marched in procession around the hall
amid scene of unbounded enthusiasm.
Just after the fourth ballot, Kentucky
withdrew the name of Blackburn in ia
vor of Bryan. Illinois and Oklahoma
went from Bland to Bryan. Ohio had al
ready voted for Mclean, but changed to
Bryan. Governor Stone, of Missouri,
read letter from Bland, in which that
old patriot said, "The cause must be put
above the man.. Whenever it. shall appear
that there is another candidate who is
more acceptable to the convention, my
name must be withdrawn" Governor
Stone then cast the votes Of Missouri for
Bryan. Iowa withdrew the name Of Boies
and voted tor the Nebraskan. Arkansas
and Montana changed from Bland to Bry-
an. Indiana changed from Matthews, and
Texas changed to Bryan. The ballot now
stood: Bryan, 500; Bland, 1O6; Pattison,
95, and SO scattering. SENATOR Turpie of
Indiana, moved to make it unanimous.
1t was carried with only few dissenting
votes from Pennsylvania, and then follow
ed another indescribable scene, to be
compared only to that Of the day before
at the close of Mr.. Bryan's speech.
The location of the various delegations
in the convention was marked by the
flags of the respective states. Already
various states had followed Nebraska in
a procession around the hall; but now
the feeling became unanimous. The
color bearer OF the Georgia delegation
jumped to his feet, flag in hand, followed
by his fellow delegates, and started around
the hall. The big Bland band rushed to