The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-14
BRlAN,s NOiIfICduoN'
descriptive Iutroductions From the NC"
York Papers

The New York papers except '"O
,,ot afre. that the great Bryan noulca-
tion meeting was disappointment.
The New York Herald's INTRODUCTION
ia the report of the meeting says -
ITO call the Bryan nouhcalOh ~ ''o
Madison Square Garden last nisN'
frost" would be a paradox IN lhe
Of the audience that as5eihDleu ~ s'.'
sIeeves and wilted collars. TO can II
..,,btriu,nd NJ enthusiasm would be 10
credit with atmospheric Jury
sion Of gusts and Gains.
In one sense il was all the theatrical
and notoriety loving Boy Orator OF ths
platte could wish. The crowd almost
filled the great auditorium. Many h@A
come ont OF curiosity 10 sec the man.
rive minutes after he began 10 speak Two
thousand persons had left the nan. III
ten minutes five thousand had gone. In
fifteen minutes the entire south side o.
the Garden and the north and south ends
showed a vast acreage OF empty seats.
Many had come 10 listen and some had
como TO applaud
II was a good-natured audience and dld
not deserve 10 be constantly reminded ny
every speaker that the free silver nouica-
ton was taking place in hostile country
The fair play that the Herald tod MT.
Bryan would be extended 10 him he re-
ceivcd. But great enthusiasm he dld not
arouse. There werc no wild bursts or
hearty feeling. like those which swept the
Chicago Convention off its feet. The APP
ulause was the applause OF the fannle.
To one who looked over the audience
for faces known in the past IN the analrs
OF the national Democracy IL seemed that
this Young man was one without party.
Scarcely a national leader was there 10
see him 20 throuch his ordeal. Who
from New England George Fred Will
liams. the Benedict Arnold Of Mas
eachusetts Democrats and Mr.. Scwal.
the tiny tail Of the frce-silver kite. Who
from New York? Not one former Gov
ernor OF the State: not one former Mayor
OF the city. not Whitney or Lamont or
Fairchild or Weed. Just Jimmie
OBrian. William Sulzer and Elliott Dan
forth, sitting prominently near the stage.
and John G.. Sheehan, crouchlng behind
the figure OF Turroy. in remote box, as
though ashamed Of The company DE kept.
Mr.. Bryan read his speech. lie was
not willing TO trust himself 10 on-hand
speaking as he did az Chicago. fearing
that his tongue would run away with him
and that he might be entrapped. The
effect on the audience. therefore. was
disappointing. a BOY Orator Tho reads
fourteen thousand words is not likely 10
keep up his fame as a spell-binder.
KIND WORDS FOR MRS. BRYAN.
Mrs. Bryan was conspicuous figure at
the notification. She sat in a box. near
her husband, and her wan face showed
the anxiety which she felt Tor her hus-
band and enemys country. There was
not man or woman in the hall who did
not appreciate her wfely solicitude.
The New York World says.
10 put u IN blunt. sincere language, the
great Bryan demonstration in the Madi-
son Square Garden last night was a
disappointment. Mr.. Bryan read a speech
temperate in tonCand beautlfuGy phrased
but he failed to fire the great multi
tude which came 10 see and hear him.
When the young orator arose 10 speak
the temperature ia the building was %
degrees Fahrenheit. But before he
finished the thermometer showed Il fall
OF TWO degrees.
The scientific explanation Of this TACT
IS that at least 1900 persons had aft the
hall. Within five minutes after the lie
ginning OF the speech At least thou
sand men departed. The lack OF enthu-
siasm was partly due 10 the depressing
effect Of the heat. partly 10 the foolish
distribution of tickets and partly TO Mr..
Bryan's unfortunate delivery, for many
OF his most effective sentences We're lost
in the jerky. hating 'and almost timid
process OF utterance.
1t is a speech which VIII prove TO be
more effective when read IN cold type.
IL was plain 10 be seen that the temper
OF the audience chilled the orator. ana
that he was demoraiized by the spectacle
OF thousands OF Is Hearers marching
slowly out OF the doors.
Not one OF the great Democe ttic lead
ers of the State was present. although
Tammany Hall was strongly in evidence
Ii may be that the whole ausience might
have remained TO the end OF Mr. Br1an's
speech had the tickets been put toto
the hands OF those whose interest in
his words was superior 10 their desire
for physical comfort
l}ut the fact remains that befO,e MI.
Bryan sat down there were great
stretches OF vacant seats 10 be seca in
all directions Meanwhile. vast multi
tude waited outside OF the building power
less To gain admission.
1t was a thrilling time for Mr.. Bryan.
He has said again and again since his
non ination. that his speecn In New Scrk
would probably be the greatest oppor-n-
nifty OF his life. lie has profound and
abiding confidence in the power OF ora
tory.
Just before he made the great speech
which nominated him AT The Chlrago
Convention, a friend sent him piece
OF paper on which was written:
you have a great opportunity now.
saw Mr. Bryan receive this message.