The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-08-27
[Wilmington Messenger. |

wish to study it at leisure All who
read this will probably have read the
speech, and We could not perhaps help
any one to better understanding of
it. Whether it was great speech or
no all will determine. The gold press
will condemn, will misrepresent. will
twist and pervert it after its man
ner, and a very bad and dishonest
and unf'ir manner it is. Bryan is the
man of the hour and since he was
nominated Mckinley has nearly
dropped out Of the country's thought,
and his pet robber tax scheme with
him. We may refer to the speech
hereafter and many times.
The demonstration in New York
was a great one no doubt We are
prepated to read in the gold papers
that it was small affair and of no sig
nihcaace whatever. 1t is very GER
tain that there are some silver folk in
Gotham all the same.
The entire journey Of Bryan from
his home in Nebraska to the great
commercial city was one Of triumph.
1t was indeed a veritable ovation-a
mighty outpouring Of the people. 1t
was in one sense triumphal march
before the battle was fought and the
victory won. The great masses
thronged all the stopping places
along the route and speech making
and hand shaking we'll nigh to dislo-
cation of shoulder went on. What a
tremendous hand shaking people the
great American Conglomerate are.
The demonstrations at McKinley's
own home were marvellous and unex-
pected. AT Pittsburg-the great pro-
lection, goldonly stronghold-the
crowds were immense, 10000 witness
ing the reception. There Bryan
spoke twice.
The gifted novelist, Julian Haw-
thorne, son OF the great Nathansel,
was selected by the New York Journal
to accompany Mr.. Bryan and write up
the trip. This he has done in a very
graphic and happy style. His articles
are so artistically done we would be
glad to copy them ii in our power to
do SO. Here is bit oihis description
at Plt,sburg. Of Bryan's oratory he
wrote:
"His is all ideal figure for an orator.
His stalwart, broad shouldered pres
ence fills and satisfies the eye; his face
with its black eyebrows and strong
features, shows the expression afar off;
indeed Bryan reminds one at times of
Edwin Booth and John Mccullough. 1t
is an expression at once of poignancy
and breadth, such as must needs be-
long to great actor. but only occa-
sionaly falls to the lot of a statesman.
STANDING square, with All easy
swing of the shoulders and graceful
action of both arms, alternately or in
unison, Bryan made a short but pow
erful address, every sentence of which
was punctuated with applause. His
voice was of admirable quality, deep,
clear, resonent, and Of great carrying
power. He brought out word after
word with deliberate emphasis, and
the more important phrazes were de-
livered with immense energy, involv-
ing not merely the arms, but the head
and the whole body. He seemed, in
these impassioned moments, to be ac-
tuated by force greater than his own,
yet which found in him a perfect in-
strument.
"In point of action Bryan recalls the
greatest of living orators, Gladstone.
There is the same ease, harmony and
variety. But Gladstone had also a
gentle, half playful colloquial vein,
which he often employed in the House
with great effect. Bryan, in his short
speech, had no time for playfulness.
He hammered his truths into his audi
ence with strokes as of Thor's ham,
mer, and they responded with roars
and shreks of appreciation.
Anyone who knows Of Mr.. Haw-
thorne's temperament and character
can we'll conhde in his statements
while admiring his descriptions OF
weighing his judgments. Here is an
other description OF the travel after
leaving Chicago:
II confess l was not myself prepared
for the unmistakable sincerity and al
most passionate enthusiasm which
have net MIR. Bryan at every town and
village along our route. The DEMON
s:ration began at the Chicago railway
station. A crowd Of the employees OF
the road were gathered there, begging
E. ,rnrl Ar Rpran >
and when one Of them called out. Il
was Republican till to-day, but I'll
vote for you, Mr.. Bryan. the announce
ment was approved with shouts.
Throughout the small hours, as the
train swept along the noise of shouting
rose and died away in the distance.
| From unseen throats the greeting was
passed On continuously from station to
station. like the fiery cross Of the an
cient Scottish Highlanders, and the
flame of welcome and Godspeed was
never suffered TO 60 out. The people
came to see Bryan, but he was not a
more interesting spectacle 10 them than
they were to US. The mass OF them
were poor people-men in dirty shirts
and bad hats, hairy-armed, rough
handed farmers, small store-keepers,
day laborers, clerks and their wives,
sisters and children. Bareheaded and
barefooted many Of them; mothers and
fathers with babies in their arms. These
folks had stayed up all night TO zee the
silver candidate pass by, to hear the
sound of his voice; perhaps by good
luck 10 touch his hand. and at sun rise
at Fort Wayne, they were mastering
BY hundreds. The numbers grew az
we passed on and the sitting night was
succeeded by the sweltering day. They