Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-07-15
Chicago Convention.

Chicago Convention the first important BUS
mess was a discussion and adoption OF the
plateorm. Senator Tillman led of in
characteristic speech and, in fact, "seWed
himself up with single stitch he was
followed By Senator d. B. Hill, Of New
York. who made the really great argument
Of the day-oppOsing the majority report
Mr.. BRYAN. of Nebraska, concluded for the
majority report, aud BY bis Oratory secured
the nomination. The Washington Post tells
the story "Mr. Bryan, tall, shapely, hand
some as a Greek demigod, classic of outline,
impassioned Of address, thrilling with his
message to the people-sppeared ike fairy
upon the stage Of the Chicago convention
and in one moment throwing 90 600 human
beings into a fever Of indescribable exulta-
ton. He called back from the vanished
past the witchery Of Orpheus the magic OF
DemOsthenes, the irresistible forces OF the
great Napoleon. he stood there, and with
dozen fiery phrases he converted thought
ful men into fanatics be changed men as
utterly as the wizard changes the toys he
PLAYS with on the stage In all the annals
of politics there was never such scene
We do not wonder" says the Post, that on
the following day, still palPitating under
the spell Of Bryans wOndrous eloquence,
the convention turned to him a. a needle 10
magnet. Il may not be capable of analy-
sis. it may not be cOldly and accurately
demonstrable. The fact remains, Bryan
sweep, the floor Of the convention as the fire
sweeps the prairie. The delegates went to
him in a strange passion Of desire Moth
ing could check the fury Of their bent. lie
was nominated slowly, at first, swiftly next
aud at last, in a wild crescendo Of enthusi-
asm. he was lifted on a whitecap and thrown
high and dry upon the beach Of his surpass-
ing triumph"
On the fourth day Of the convention at
Chicago. aud on the fifth ballot Hon. Will
liam Jennings Bryan, Of Nebraska, was
nominated for President Mr.. Bryan was
born in salem, Marion county, ILL.,, March
10. 1860; attended public school until nj
teen years Of age, spending his vacation on
the farm: in the tall of 1879 entered Whip
pie Academy, at Jacksonville, Ill.,; entered
Illinois College. Jacksonville, in 1877; COM
pleted a classical course and was graduated
with the highest honors in 1881 attended
Union College Of Law, Chicago, Ill.,, for two
years, during which time he was connected
with the office Of ex-senator Lyman Trum-
bull: began the practice Of bis profession at
jacksonville; removed to Lincoln, Neb, IN !
1887 never held an elective office prior TO |
his election to Congress; was elected to the
SD and reelected 20 the SD Congress as a
Democrat.
The Washington Post says Of Mr.. Bryan |
"The country at large knows little of this
extraordinary young man. He has been IN
Congress. He delivered a speech upon the
tariff that enchanted and enchanted the
House. He has spoken many times since
with reference TO the tariff. aud always he
has held his audience as the sirens held the
fated crew that sailed with Ulysses from the
shores Of Troy He is a minstrel, form Of
grace, a thing of beauty
This is an accurate If somewhat forid de-
serptiou Of the personality Of William Jen-
nings Bryan. SAYS the Wheeling Register
Our Washington contemporary, which by
the way. is not on Mr. Bryau's side Of the
question. neglected to add that Mr.. Bryan
is one of the ablest men who ever sat in
Congress, a born leader, and not whit less
brsiny and able than he is brilliant, not a
whit less honorable, sincere and patriotic
than he is eloquent
The nominee for Nice-President, Hon
Arthur Sewall. was born at Bath. Maine
November %. 1888. BY occupation Mr..
Sewan was originally a shipbuilder and he
is now largely interested in shipping, rail-
WAYS and banking. For nine years he was
president of the Maine Central railway, from
which position he retired two years ago
He is now president Of bank at Bath, Is
interested in the Bath iron works, and
member Of other commercial enterprise
Although he has for years employed large
numbers Of men, he has never had any Sc
rious labor trouble There ia hardly cor
poration in Sagadahoe county in which he
is not director This fact may induce a
"let up on the part Of the demagogues
whose trade has been to Willy every man
who is a capitalist or engaged largely IN
corporations and money making.
-
Illinois Sound Money Democrats have Is
sued an address favoriug the nomination Of
another ticket for the presidency 1t IS
signed by some of the most distinguished
men Of the Democratic party. Henry Wat
terson is for another ticket Bynum, Of In
diana, is against Bryan, and Senator Gray,
ofDelaware denOuncss the platform. Maj.
Walker, a member Of the Virginia State
Republican Executive Committee, is out for
Bryan. so it goes-discontent everywhere,
more or less Lots Of people just now hard
ly know where they are at"
-. -,,r,,,,or ono of our trrandchil1rnn