The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-07-27

applaud, ana the delegates listened to
him without much demonstration.
But when he concluded by naming that
splendid young statesman, William J.
Bryan" the convention broke loose.
Cheer followed cheer, the delegates
jumped to their chairs, and flags,
handkerchiefs, coats, hats, state guidons
were waved in wild confusion.
Through one of the side entrances,
four men carried big yellow cross, 4
by feet i'll size, surmounted by a
crown of thorns. On it was inscribed
the eloquent words with which Bryan
closed his brilliant speech at Chicago.
"You shall not press a crown of thorns
upon the brow of labor: you shall not
cruelty mankind upon cross OF gold. y
A big crayon portrait of the Nebraska
statesman was also carried into the
hall. Cross, banners and state guidons
were carried frantically about the pit
Then, with the cross leading, they were
carried to the stage, where for min
utes they danced in confusion. while
the delegates howled with delight. Mr..
Keppler Of Nevada, who bore the cross,
finally planted it at the edge OF the
stage and the bearers of the state ban.
ners and flags descended to the pit and
| continued their demonstration there.
AS the procession passed the Texas
delegation free fight almost occurred.
| Men struggled and fought to bar the
| passage, but the way was finallJ
| r1noral forrht 1tHo ri
over the possession of the Missouri
standard. 1t was broken into bits, but
a stalwart young Bryan man carried
piece of it in the Bryan triumph to the
| platform while the struggling dis.
putants were separated by the police.
The Texas and Arkansas standards
alone We're kept close to the middle of
the road banner round which the radi-
calls formed hollow square like des-
perate men in battle to repulse the
charges of an enemy.
When quiet was restored after II
minutes of bedlam General Field ct
Virginia, who was General Weaver's
running mate in 1892 hobbled forward
on his crutch and after a brief speech
moved to suspend the rules and make
| Bryan's nomination unanimous.
The convention rose almost en- masse
and chcered, but above the chorus of
cheers came the sharp cries of the
Texas men. No, no." they yelled.
| Chairman Allen declared the motion
carried, but yielding to the protest de.
cided to allow call of states on the
| motion.
There was so much confusion and
disorder during the call, however, that
General Field finally, as the only way
of restoring order. withdrew his motion
and the call of states for nominations
was proceeded with. There were no
more candidates, but there were many
seconding speeches, including those of
Jerry Simpson and Chairman Taube.
neck.
A New Star.
T. j. Miller of Tennessee occupied
Kentucky's time with a speech in Bry-
ans behalf. Louisiana yielded to Col
orado, and the rugged state sent to the
platform as her champion Mrs. Minerva
Roberts. The tall, slender young lady
with face aglow and great dark eyes
flashing, came forward to the stage. AS
she walked down the aisle with bound.
ing step and ascended the platform, her
dark golden hair shone in the sunlight.
She wore white shirt waist and an at
tractive hat and as she faced the au.
dience her radient face brought the con.
vention to its feet. Her first sentence,
delivered in a clear, musical and sym.
pathetic voice, aroused them to cheers.
Her brief speech was one of the most
eloquent delivered in the convention.
Speech Of Mrs. Roberts.
Hailing from a state lying beneath the
shadow Of the Rocky mountains, where
men have had the courage and chivalry tC
grant women the rights they demand fol
themselves, ! have been accorded the dis
tinguished honor by the Southern state oi
J Louisiana to take their time. Gentlemen
thank you in the name Of the women ot
the United States. Applause. For the
first time in the history of political con
vention woman has had the opportunity
Of raising her voice to second the nomina
, tion of man who stands for the people
| and who made America what she is today
where the parasites of oppression shall not
live.
BY our city flows the Platte river from
where the Boy Orator Of Nebraska halls
and we Of Louisiana second his nomina
tion. know the gentlemen whom you
represent will make gallant fight and
, will do what you can to obtain the vic
tory. On the one side Is arrayed McKin
ley and the other Bryan. There is nc
middle Of the road. Tremendous cheers.
Every factory is idle, our lands are un
worked and our people in poverty, ant
you can do nothing at this convention but
accept this ticket. In the interest of tn.
people Of this great nation, inl the interes
Of the wives and mothers and children
we must preserve America as an in
dependent nation. ! will take no NOR,
of your time. You have already surfei
Of oratory-too much Of 1t, indeed-so
will simply add have the extreme honor
of seconding the nomination of William
} Jennings Bryan of Nebraska. 1'remen
} dous cheers.