Birmingham state herald., 1896-09-08
MR. BRYAN TO THE MEN WHO SWEAT Magnificent Tribute to American
 Wage-Earners. NO PARTISAN WORD IN TT A DispassiOnate Discussion of That Priceless Privilege, the Ballot, THE WEAPON OF FREEMEN Even the Trees Were Full of Eager ListenersThe Horse shoers Present Him With Silver Token
 of Their Handicraft

Chicago, Sept. 7.-William J. Bryan re- turned to Chicago from Milwaukee this morning to address the big labor meeting at Sharpshooters park this afternoon. In company with Ex- Governor Peck he left Milwaukee at 715 o'clock on fast train over the Northwestern and reached Chi cago at 9:30 The route was the same as that over which he made the journey to Milwaukee Saturday, and there were no demonstrations on the way. About 100 people recognized and cheered MT. Bryan at the Northwestern station here. The candidate and Ex-Governor Peck Jumped into a cab and were driven to the Audlto- rum annex.
 The Horse Shoers' union was gathered in front of the annex, and large crowd of spectators augmented it's numbers to such an extent that Michigan avenue was completely filled With people. MT. Bryan was cheered as he entered the hOtel, put the crowd had not seen enough or hiII
 "Bryanw "Bryanp' was the shout, ana after few minutes the candidate ap- peared on the balcony. When the crowd was through cheering MT. Bryan poWeo and then quickly retired to the democrat ic headquarters.
 The Sa-seshoers had gathered in front of the Auditorium annex with purpose. As soon ss MT. Bryan arrived they sent a delegation to him with a silver horse shoe as an evidence of support and an omen of good luck.
 Chicago, Sept. 7:-The celebration or O, Labor Day by Chicago's workngmen centered mainly in the meeting addressed by MT. Bryan at Sharpshooters park, wooded pleasure ground situated at an hconvenient distance from the city. Ine street railway service was not Of the pest, and many people were unable to reach the park. Every car that ran to the grounds was packed from noon until after o'clock, and those who came by tnaI means suffered much discomfort. The day was all that could be desired in point of weather-a little too warm for the close contact of human beings, but practically perfect for an outdoor assembly.
 MT. Bryan spoke from a permanent platform with a shell-shaped canopy, and long before the meeting began this was crowded with
 Prominent Members of Labor Unions, a number of them accompanied by their families, The crowd began to gather about noon and those who came carry sought positions close to the front or tne stand. Many men and boys cImpeu trees overlooking the platform, ana were able to see and hear the better TOT tneir exalted positions. Occasionally the lmp of a tree broke and added to the fun ana excitement of the occasion. Other men climbed to the roof of the stand ana lying flat on their stomachs peered over the edge on those below. The crowd was hot as great as had been expecteu oy .he promoters of the event.
 Just before MT. Bryan entered the park about 5000 people were clustered around the central point of interest, put aIter the appearance of the nominee 3O0O or 4000 more entered the grounds ana want ed t%1 catch glimpse of the democratic nominee or stood on the outskirts of the audience elidea vor1ng to hear what ne said. The charge of 25 cents for admis- sion proba bly served to decrease the at- tendance This has always been tne custom at Labor Day celebrations in Sharpshooters park, but MT. Bryan probably did not know of it or he might have declined to speak unless with the assurance that no entrance Tee would pc charged He made free admission con dition of his appearance at the Driving park. near Knowlesville. week before last. and has always insisted that no one shall be excluded through lack or means from attending the meetings addressed by him.
 The celebration at the rark vas the annual picnic of the Building Trades council "a representative organization of men employed in building trades. The crowd which gathered was essentially one of working men and their families They enjoyed the address of the nomi- nee and made frequent comments of an amusing character, that several times
 
 Break Into Laugh
 The crowd was exceedingly disorderly An a guod-natured way. Frequent ap- peals for quiet were necessary to ob- tain the desired stiffness Two or three times the jam near the stand became so great that several women fainted and were tIud on before being rescued. MT. Bryan once appealed to the people to stop crushing, anu stopped another time to hand d glass of water to frainting woman.
 MT. Bryan was received with long con- tinued applause throughout hls address of an hours duration and was treated with the utmost good d-natdIed Familiar. ity The crowd called him Willie, "Biliy, old boy" and "Honoianie Bin, and told him to "Hit em again" and to "Give 'em another" whenever he caught the fancy of his audience. It was few minutes after. 2 o'clock when MT. Bry- ans carriage reached the park, followed by several others carrying labor leaders and their wives
 MT Bryan's carriage was followed from the roadway through the grounds to the platform by a cheering, running crowd of men and boys There were no police officers to restrain them aud they almost fell on MT, Bryan in their eagerness to grasp his hand and say something com plimentary By dint of muscular work MT, Bryan was able to reach the platform and smiled this thanks when the thou sands cheered him lustily.
 President Carroll, who acted as chair man, quickly saw the crowd was in no mood to hear a speech from him and merely presented MT. Bryan At the conclusion of Mir. Bryan's speech, which tition of the unrestralned rush on larger ecaIa in the rear of the platform. where