The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-26
MR.. BRYAN WAS NOMINATED BY
TIE POPULISrS.
1t Only Took One Ballot TO Do the Work,
ard the Announcement of the Vote
Was Received With Tremendous
Demonstration---He Received 1,042
Votes to 1921 Cast for j. f. Norton.


probably remained in the hall all night,
continued his slumbers peacefully
stretched out on the floor in Il remote por-
ton of the hall. The band was not pres
ent and there was no music.
The chairman called for the nomination
of President
Gen Weaver came forward and formal
ly placed Mr.. Bryan in nomination.
'Mr. Chairman:-I arise before you
this morning, in my judgment, facing the
most critical period that has ever occur
red in the Populist party. If you have all
read the papers this morning YOU have
read the manly dispatch from the Demo
cratic nominee for the Presidency, the
Hon. William j. Bryan.
''No man could have done less and be
man. His manly attitude concerning
the action If this convention we must all
respect and every member of it and every
person who reads the proceedings of this
convention must do the same. But my
fellow-citizens, this question has reached
a point where neither Mr.. Bryan nor his
personal friends have any right whatever
to say in regard to what the action of this
convention shall be. (Cheers) This is a
greater question than the personality of
its candidates and l, rs an individual, tell
you that that is the fact. After your ac-
ton last night after had read the tele-
grams from Mr.. Bryan | utterly refused,
and l here and now utterly refuse to
confer, either with Mr.. Bryan or Mr.
Jones rs to who shall be the nominee of
this convention. cloud applause.
That is a matter that we have right
to determine for ourselves. 1t is the re-
lief of az, 600, 900, people that is at stake.
Now, then, l am here to do but one thing
and to ask the consideration and the at
for II Ia
thing. We have constantly urged
through good and evil report that our
principles were more important than
party associations; were above all consid-
erations of private fortune or the petty
and feverish ambitions of men. We have
thus far suited our actions to our words.
This country has recently witnessed n
new pentecost and received another bap-
tism of fire The recent convention at
Chicago sounded Il bugle call for union
which can neither be misunderstood nor
go unheeded. In its patriotic utterances
and action it swept away all middle
ground and opened the road to a formida-
BILE organic alliance. They not only made
union possible, thank heaven, they have
rendered it inevitable.
From the very beginning our organi-
zation has made party fealty subordinate
to principles We will not here reverse
ourselves and refuse to accept victory
now so easily within our reach We will
not refuse the proffered assistance of ut
least 5000, 300 free silver Democrats and
not less than 1,000 600 free silver Repub-
leans simply because they have shown the
good sense To come with an army fully
equipped and manned for battle. Let
them have their own divisions and army
corps. Let them manifest their own
asst nptf 81. L = i
to all competitors who are fighting for
the same principles.
Il would not endorse the distinguished
gentlemen named ut the Chicago conven-
ton | would nominate outright and
make them our own and then share just
ly and rightfuliy in their election
Therefore in obedience of my highest
conception to duty, with solemn convic-
tion that l am right l place in nomina-
tion for the Presidency of the United
States, distinguished gentleman, who,
let it be remembered, has already been
three times Endorsed by the Populist
party of his own State, once for repre-
sentative in Congress, once for United
States Senator, and only last week for the
Presidency. | name that matchless
champion of the people, that intrepid foe
of corporate greed that splendid young
Recommendation j. Bryan of Ne
braska.''
Gen. Weaver, in his opening remarks,
asked the convention not to applaud and
the delegates listened to him without
much demonstration But when he con-
cluded by naming that splendid young
statesman, William j. Bryan, the con
vention broke loose. Cheer followed
cheer.
The delegates jumped tic their chairs
and flags, handkerchiefs, coats, hats,
State guidons We're waved in wild confu-
sion. Through one side entrance four men
carried a big yellow cross four by eight
feet in size, surmounted by a crown of
thorns. On it were inscribed the elo-
quent words with which Bryan closed his
brilliant speech ut Chicago You shall
not press Il crown of thorns upon the
brow of labor, You shall not cruelty man
kind upon cross of gold"
n big crayon portrait of the Nebraska
statesman was also carried into the hall
The cross, banners and State guidons
were carried frantically about the hall
Then, with the cross leading they were
carried to the stage where for five min
utes they danced in confusion while the
delegates howled with delight.
AS the procession passed the Texas del.
egation free fight almost occurred. Men
struggled and fought to bar the passage,
bnt the way was finally cleared. Several
men fought like mad over the possession
of the Missouri standard 1t was broken
into bits, but stalwart young Bryan
man carried piece of it through in tri.
umph to the platform while the strug-
Cling disputants were separated by the
police. The Texas and Arkansas stand
ards alone were kept close to the middle
of the road banner, around which the
radicals formed hallow square like des-