Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-29
GAVIN p.TTrsoS.s LETTER.

The letter OF Camn Paterson, Esp'
which we published yesterday. Is worthy
OF n place by the side OF Mr.. Bryan's cele-
brated speech delivered by him In the
hall ~ the Democratic National Conven-
ton when he was by universal acclaim
declared TO be the standard-Dearer anu
nominee of the Democratic party loi
President of the United states. Mr. Pat
teson's letter Is as full OF fire as II he nad
lust heard of Mr.. Bryan's nomination ana
IL not only valuable contribution to the
history Of the Chicago convention. but
document that will reach the people Oh
Virginia and make him one OF their Ia
yorite sons.
Mr.. Patteson says that the Democratic
National Convention Of 1896 was the great
est convention which ever assembled III
North America since the memorable con-
yention of l7s7. which framed the tederai
Constitution. We quote:
ct was a convention Of the people.
shall always point with feeling OF pIlue
10 the fact that ! was member OF tha9
noble body of men. Its deliberations were
conducted with care and forethought. the
when that was adopted we felt that our
work was practically done. 1t was Sc
condary consideration as to who should
he the nominee. We intended TO nominate
no man who ala not endorse ii as whole
and in all its parts.
almost by inspiration VIC found the
/ man in william j. Bryan. typical
American citizen in every warp and wool
/ of his nature Physically ana mentally
n
/ he Is, take him all In all, the pest-equlp-
/ ped man In America for the position ne
4 not only believes, but he knows ne is
right on the question OF free silver. he
beiongs 10 the order of men of whom he
roes are made. An humble. devoted
/ Christian. he believes in the sublime anc
simple faith of Him who. clad In fisher
mans garb. taught by the wayside III
Galiles and Judea."
Mr.. Patteson describes the scene In the
Chicago convention when Bryan was
recognized as the peoples leader lie
says:
when the twenty-third State had
hoisted the Bryan banner we urged our
leader TO raise the standard OF Vlr,
! ginia He agreed. / looked around and
saw Carter Glass. fired with enthusiasm
| pulling ct II with all his might. In an
instant the gallant and chivalric young
W. =. Barksdale, of Halifax, sprung &c
his assistance, and soon 1t waved alolt
| The magnificent Ex-Governor or Texas
| Governor Hogg, caught the inspiration
and coming to us, said: Let Senator JohI
w. Daniel take the standard" Ane
when l saw Daniel with his manned ant
broken form bear aloft the same STANDARD
nhe standard of Virginia-Edito'
which he had carried in the forefront o.
battle more than thirty years ago, th'
very heavens seemed deafened by INT
shout that rent the air. I looked agar
and saw large majority OF the Ohl'
delegation scuffiing and struggling Owe
their standard. The silver men captured
Il. broke II in twain, tied IL together, an'
IN an instant II was waving abort IN TN
centre of the hall for William j. Bryan
Vermont was seated in front Of Virginia
and it's eight delegates were among tn
handsomest and most dignified men in tn
convention. Four had voted on every bal
lot for w. ]. Bryan. We literally begge'
them to tear I'D their standard and rail-.
to the support of the gallant Nebraskan
They caught the glorious inspiration
the moment and rushed to the centre o
the hall and waved aloft their standard
Texas and West Virginia WED with us II
our cheers for Vermont. There were the
fortv-one States and Territories wavin
aloft the glorious banner. The band
played Yankee Doodle" Dixie" Hal
Columbia" and then that noble song
''Rally Round the Flag" Everybod
| cheered: everybody sang: at least fiv
thousand flags were waved; fair and beau
tifui women joined in the demonstration
Time was forgotten"
Mr.. Patteson's letter will make a CAPT
tai campaign document. There will b
nothing better in the literature of tn
Chicago convention.