The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-07-14
At HIS B0YHOOD'S HOMO
Candidate Bryan's Journey to the
Place of His Birth
WAS A CONTINUOUS OVATION.

During the Trip Mr.. Bryan Delivered Sew.
eral Speeches, and at Every Station He
Was Greeted with the Applause OF
| Assembled Citizens.
SALEM, Ills, July 14.-There was no os-
tentation or display made by w. j. Bryan,
the Democratic presidential nominee, on
his trip yesterday from Chicago to this
tho town Of his nativity. He bought tick
cts for himself and wife at the Illinois
| Central depot, and there was no special
car provided. Every passenger on board
| the train had access to the car, and nearly
every one Of them came back and shook
hands with Mr.. Bryan and his wife and
expressed to them their good wishes and
congratulations.
The hrst stop after leaving Chicago was
at Kankakee. Fully 900 citizens had as
sembled around the depot and were eagerly
waiting for chance to catch n glimpse of
the Democratic nominee. A band was
playing "The Star Spangled Banner" when
the train pulled into the depot. There was
general rush from all sides, as everyone
seemed determined to grasp the Demo-
cratic leaders hand. The train only
stopped five minutes, but in that time Mr..
Bryan was decidedly busy man.
Just before the train started there were
cries of Speech from all parts of the
crowd, and some enthusiastic individuals
carried huge drygoods box over the
heads Of the people, upon which they in
tended to place Mr.. Bryan that he might
talk to them all. But before they reached
l.. ~. 1nJ lolI 4
the train pulled out, much to the disap-
pointment of the assembled citizens
The little town of Paxton was the next
stop, and as Mr.. Bryan alighted from the
car stalwart veteran, with long gray hair
and flowing white beard, passed to tho
front and grasped the presidential candi-
date by the hand. II knew it would come
to this some day, Bill, he said in gruff
voice. 81 knew. your father before you
were born, and have watched you from
the time you used to kick up the dnst in
the streets of Salem with your bare feet,
and have always said you would be u
great man one day.
The people at Rantoul were given but
three minutes in which to shake hands
with the new leader of the Democratic
party The town boasts of 1000 inhabi-
tants, andnt least two-thirds of them were
at the depot to greet Mr.. Bryan, and he
was enthusiastically cheered. When Mr..
Bryan boarded the train he turned about
on the platform in response to loud calls
for a speech He raised both hands and
instantly there was silence
"If you will vote next November as you
should l will be sure to be elected
The bell on the engine began to clang,
the train moved away and the assembled
citizens roared with delight.
; Champaign gave tho greatest demon
stration of the trip. The streets were
blocked with vehicles and people in every
direction from the depot. There was
military band and nearly every one of the
thousands of people who had come to do
honor to the Democratic noinine3 carried
flag. A committee was at the depot to
meet the distinguished man from Ne.
brHska.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan were escorted to
temporary platform which had been
erected on floor which stood on side
track. 1t was draped with bunting and
flowers. There was an ovation of hand
clapping and cheers when Mr.. Bryan
stepped to the front of the platform. He
was introduced to the throng of citizens
by Colonel J. S. Wolf, venerable old
gentleman bearing Il strong resemblance
to Gladstone. When quiet was restored
Mr.. Bryan said:
Il am not going to make political
speech this afternoon. ] have just been
talking some at Chicago, and am kind
of between speeches. l am glad to have
an occasion to talk to you for while, and
am gEtifed to see that so many people,
by their presence here, have shown their
interest in this campaign. In my judg-
mcnt it is the most importans campaign
through which this country has passed in
time of peace during our existence asa
ton. A campaign in which great issues
are TO be settled, issues which affect every
man, woman and child in the nation, and
beg of you that you shall realize and ap-
precinte the important part which you
bear in this campaign.
This is the greatest nation on tho
earth. 1t is in advance, in my humble
Judgment in all that makes u nation
great, in advance Of all nations that live
Or have lived, and the opportunities which
the people find here have their highest and
best developments. We have the best form
of government and we have the most per-
feet form of government, because it is q
government which can be just as good as
the people desire it to be. No government
can be better than the people desire If
our government is good, If our laws are
just, it is because we make them our
selves. l have confidence in the intelli-
gcnce, in the patriotism of the govern
ment common people of this country. The
only trouble that we have is that people
are so often indifferent of their duties as
citizens.
"Some have an idea that patriotism can
only be manifested in time of war. was
too young to show my patriotism in time |
of war, but glory that in this land every
year gives IA patriot an opportunity to |
show his love for his country, and there is
no year better than this. You have the
right to consider and act upon every ques-
ton which arises, and when you find n
person who tells you that the masses and
the people are not competent to settle the |
greatest and most important questions
that concerns our nation, you find a man
who does not understand the conditions
of our institutions.
No question can ever be settled until the
people sit in Judgment on it, The poll
uclhnS nave trleu 10 Settle the money |
question The tinancicrs have tried to
settle the money question, but it will not
not be settled until the great producing
of this country express their opin-
ion, and from that opinion there is no de-
feat.
"The money question is not n complicated
question, and it is presented in this cam
paign in the simplest form it has ever
taken before the people. When this cam
paign is on, before the election arrives
there will be one great question in this
country. and that is, Is this nation great
enough to attend to its own businessY Is
this nation great enough to legslate for
Its own people9 If SO, then the people
will demand financial policy based upon
the American interest, and for the carry
Ing of American right, regardless of aid
HIRES Rootbeer is pure
IN substance, easy in prepa-
ration, satisfactory in drink