Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-19
Candidate Received an 0Va1oa Which
Lasted for Twenty Minutes.
AGAINST DOLYERS AND REPUBLICANS
he Has More Respect for the Latter
Than The Former.
SAYS WE NEED MORE CURRENCY.
An Able, Convincing Argument
and Many Home-Thrusts Mt the
Enemies OF the Desn snocracy--Promi.
nent P"rty-Men Pre.ent-sSs.ss
md Incidents.

The meeting at the Auditorium last
night surpassed anything Of tho kind
Richmond has ever seen. II was a grand
and inspiring reflection of the overwhellu-
ing sentiment in this community In favor
Of Bryan and Sewall and free silver. It was
a most gracious tribute to the gifted Me-
braskan. In whose honor II was held, and
IL was refreshing and instructive to each
and every one Of the ls.ooo persons who
crowded every inch of available space In
that vast hall. The scene presented I'm
the Auditorium was that Of a sea Of hui
man faces. Hoary locks mingled with
bald-headed veterans OF the Democracy.
Younger countenances, worn by members
OF both sexes. manifested the prefoundsst
interest In an enlightenment from the
proceedings.
The occasion was sort Of joyful re-
union of the Democracy. In the Immense
audience were representative party men
from every section Of the Commonwealth
of Virginia. while the sturdy yoe,nanry
of the Democracy Of Richmond and Nam
chester, and Henrico end surrounding
counties were represented by thousands.
People began to make their way out to
the Exposition Grounds long before .
o'clock, it having been announced through
the newspapers that the doors OF the Au-
ditorium would be thrown open promptly
at $50 o'clock. and by the latter hour
not less than 1000 were jammed
in front OF the various entrances.
impatiently awaiting the opening of the
doors, and clsmoring for admission, as
IL the speaking had already begun When
the doors were opened there was almost
a mad rush. People could not jam them-
selves into the hail with sufficient rush
and rapidity. The lower part Of the
Auditorium was filled up In few min
utes. The holders of tickets and tina
ladies and their escorts had to enter the
building from the rear, and perfecs
stream Of humanity poured into the spa
cious Auditorium from tbs back and
front for more than an hour, and then
there was no more room In the big
building, save that space between tho
heads of the people and the roof. A
OF the structure, several hundred having
gone on top to get vision through the
transoms.
VERY HOT IN THE HALL.
This. however. only served TO choke up
the Auditorium. and cut on a littla
OF the breeze that was passing
through these openings. Before the hall
was even full 1t was almost suffooating
within 1t and the heat intense. Men
pulled on their coats. famed with their
hats. papers, &c, while, in portions OF
the galleries set aside for ladies and
their escorts there was picturesquo
cyclorama. The waving OF hats and fans.
the occasional jumping up from ones
seat and the constant moving about In
the hall, made the interior OF the Audi
torium appear as great object. living.
breathing, writhing, and this, coupled
with the din OF the ever-recurring de-
monstrations, added to the impresslye-
ness of the scene.
The hall was tastefuly decorated with
huge fans OF bunting and shields and na-
tional colors. The back Of the stage was
profusely draped with bunting and
national flags. Just above the stage IL
located the music-stand and from II the
First Regiment Band discoursea pa
Dixie" which was rendered amid tre-
mendous applause. While the audience
was assembling the band played several
lively tunes. and this kept up the spirits
OF the vast assemblage and made tho
people In measure forget the heat.
One hitch occurred in the arrange-
ments, and II came near being a serious
one. 1t was as to the lighting OF the
building. over 100e0 people were forced
TO sit in almost total darkness while the
wires were being connected, so that
three or four punches OF the Richmond
Traction Company's incandescent lamps
were engaged in this, a few lamps
furnished the only illumination for tho
big hall. and at no time was the light
anything like sufficient However, this
appeared to inconvenience no one save tho
thirty newspaper men. who were report
iEg the meeting for the outside world.
Ii was well-behaved audience which
greeted Mr.. Bryan at the Auditorium.
Notwithstanding the immensIty OF its
size or the wildness OF It's enthusiasm.
1t was the second time in the history
of the Auditorium that the big structure
has been filed TO overfowing. the other
occasion having been the grand enter
tainment given there by the sponsors
representing tut EtEiOue cthteo NJ knr TO-
cent Confederate reunion. Thousands
could not gain admittance last night. and
returned to the city In the hope OF bear
ing the candidate speak at the Jefferson.
BRYAN ENTERS THE HALL.
State Chairman Ellyson and the others
escorting Mr. Bryan TO the Auditorium
were late In reaching the hall. and it
was fully s:35 O'clock when the familiar
faces OF the State Chairman and Senator
Daniel were observed. With them was
the distinguished visitor. Their appear
ance was "A signal for the most prolonged
and overwhelming enthusiasm. which
lasted for nearly twenty minutes. Az II
by some spontaneous moyemsnt every
man. woman, and child In the great su-
disnce arose. and stood upon the benches.
and waved hats. fans. canes. and un-
brellas franticzlly. Cheers after cheers
went up and rent the atm< sphere. Finally.
so tremendous became the enthuxixsm
that Il seemed TO have rolled into one
great swelling yell. In which lA0oo votces ;
participated
Il was amid such enthusiasm 81 this
that tho Democratic nominee for Presi-
dent was received. Mr.. Bryan wzx es-
corted 20 the speaker table. and there
stood fully i've minutes viewing the great
concourse OF cheering people. He thyn
took his seat. and Chairman Eilyson ap~
preached the edge Of the platform. an1 H
waved 10 the great sea OF humanity - n
the hope OF securing quiet, but that oo1X
provoked another outbuEst Of spplepe>. s
Tho people remained standing, ape CO.
tinued cheering until Nr. Hlyooe G1oI
preiented Senator John ". Den1o4 Y
there ~eze sr13e = "Ilaf<un ~ y