The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-09-08
HEAR BRYAN
The Democratic Candidate Speaks Words Of Wisdom to the Eager
and Enthusiastic Thousands Of Woringrnen that Throne
to Hear Him Address Them in Chicago.

-aooI LAY DE ChicagoS workinEmcn
centered mainly In the meeting address
ed by William j. Bryan at Sharpshoot-
Iers park. wooded pleasure ground sit
uatei at an incOnvenient distance from
the city. The street railway service was
| not of the best and many peoplc were
unable TO reach the park. Every car
mat ran to the grounds was packed from
noon until after . o'clock. aud those who
came by that means, suffered much dis
comfort. The day was all that could
| pe desired in point OF weather, 81 little
| too warm for the close contact of hu-
man beings. but practically perfect for
an outdoor assembly Mr. Bryan spoke
from permanent platform with she'll
SNAPPED canopy and long before the meet
ing began this was crowded with promi-
nent members of labor unions, Il num-
Ioer OF them accompanied by their friends
a crowd began to gather about noon and
lnoSe who came early sought positions
close TO the front of the stand Many
men and boys climbed trees overlooking
| The platform and were able to see and
near the better for their exalted posi-
| ,lons. Occasionally the limb OF a tree
| broke and added TO the fun and excite
ment of the occasion other men climb
| ed 10 the roof the stand and lying fiat
| on their stomachs. peered over the edge
! al thcse below like so many human
squirrels. The crowd was not as great
as had been expected by the promoters
| of the event
lust before Mr.. Bryan entered the
park about G.0OO people clustered around
| ne central point of interest but after
lhe appearance Of the nominee three or
iour thousand more entered the grounds
ana wanted to catch a glimpse of the
| democratic nominee or stood on the ont
skirts OF the audience cndeavoring to
near what ne said, The charge OF %
cents for admission probably served to
decrease the attendance. This has al
ways been the custom al the Labor Day
eelebrations in Sharpshooters' park. but
Mr Bryan probably did not know of II
| or he might have declined to sneak nm
less assured that no entrance fee would
be charged. He made free admission a
condition of his appearance at Driving
pax, near KnowlcsvilIe. week before
last. and has always insisted that no
one shall be excluded through lack Of
means. from attending the MEETINGS ad-
| dressed by him. The celeDra ton at the
park was the annual picnic of the Build
.hs trades Council, representative or
SanlHation of men employed in building
trades, The crowd which gathered was
essentially one of workingmen and their
families. They enjoyed the address of
| the nominee with unCOnSt.ained free
dom ana made frequent comments of
an amusing character that several times
had the effect of making Mr.. Bryan
preak INTO laugh which spoiled a round
ed period. The crowd was exceedingly
disorderly in a good-natured way Ere
quent appeals for quiet were necessary
| 10 obtain the desired stiffness. Two or
| three times the jam near the stand be-
came so great that several women faint
ed ana were trod on before being rescued
| MI Bryan once appealed 10 the people 10
STOP crushing and stopped another time
| 10 hand a glass of water 10 q fainting
| woman.
Mr.. BRYAN was received with long.
continued applause and throughout his
address OF an hours duration he was
treated with the utmost good natured
I Atxy1
| Willie" Billie. old boy" and Honor
able Bill' and told him TO hit 'cm
again" and TO give 'em another" when
ever he caught the fancy of his audi
| enCe. II was few minutes after .
o'clock when Mr.. Bryan's carriage
reached the park. followed by several
| others. carrying labor leaders and their
wives.
Mr.. BRYAN was followed through the
grounds to the platform by a cheering.
running crowd of men and boys. There
were no police officers to restrain them
ana they almost fell on Mr. Bryan in
their eagerness to grasp his hand and
say something complimentary.
Bv dint of muscular work Mr.. Bryan
was able TO reach the platform and
| smiled his thanks when the thousands
cheered him Justly
President Carroll. who acted as chair
man. quickly saw the crowd was in no
| mood to hear speech from him, and
| hANioiN NtE. Bryan. AT the
conclusion of Mr.. Bryan's speech. which
was the only one made. there was n re-
ccption of the unrestrained crush on a
| larger scale in the rear OF the platform.
where the speaker tried to get away i'm
his carriage. Hundreds pushed in front
| of him and grasped his hand whether
| he liked it or not. and there was a delay
| OF fifteen minutes before a passage way
could be cleared. Hundreds rushed on
| the platform in their mad eagcrness to
| get near the nominee and there was
| imminent danger of a collapse. Police
| men finally got around and into Mr..
Brran's carriage and drove off the peo-
De. who clung to the vehicle until the
road was reached
Following is Il full synopsis of Mr.
Bryan's speech:
Ladies and gentlemen-I desire to
| thank the Building and Trades Council
| for this opportunity which they have eX-
| tended me OF speaking TO the people
assembled on Labor Day. Labor Day
| has become fixed event among our in
| Stitutions. and ii Is we'll that IL is so
| because on This day all over this nation
| those who are engaged In the produc-
| 'ion OF wealth meet in order that they
| may commune with each other discuss
| these questions in which they are espe-
cially Interested, and emphasize before
| the world that there is nothing dishon-
4 orable in the fact that one earns his
| bread by the sweat of his face