The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-07
He Rehashes Most of the Stock-Worn
Assertions Made by Him on His
Tour, and Jumps ON Bynum.
THE PARADE INSIGNIFICANT
FEW PEOPLE IN LINE AND THE RE-
CEPTION A CHILLY ONE,
One Man Who Called Him N s.Second
Christ" and Wanted to Touch Him
and Change Luck.

Indianapolis has had an opportunity to
see and judge for itself the candidate OF
the Silver, Democratic and Populist par
ties, William J. Bryan 1T was his second
visit to the city, but when he first came
to attend the funeral of Thomas A. Hen
bricks he was a figure of so little conse-
quence that nobody knew he had been here
before until he mentioned the fact yes
terday. The railroads brought not over
10000 people to the city and fully
as many more residing here attended one
or more of the four meetings at which ho
spoke yesterday The weather, which hao
been rainy during the night and still moist
during the early morning hours, cleared
up beautifully at noon and Mr. Bryan en-
joyed perfect October weather for his DEM
onstration in this city.
The effect of his coming has been to fill
his managers and his party in this State
with some hope of success and to urge the
Republicans to greater efforts in prosecute
ing the campaign. 1t is doubtful whether
in his four speeches he has changed a
vote, for he advanced nothing in the way
Of argument that those who have followed
his speeches have not read over and over
again. In fact the only departure he made
from his usual routine his denuncia-
ton and ridicule of the National Demo-
cratic party and it's purpose. course which
was not exactly calculated to bring back
to his standard any of the Democrats who
had deserted it win TO himself those
who have heretofore been in doubt
While here Mr.. Bryan was treated with
some enthusiasm by his followers and with
courteous respect by the Republicans.
There was at no time any effort to en-
barrass him either along the line of march
of his parade or at any of his meetings,
4.
large proportion of the crowds who saw
and heard him do not agree with the cause
he advocates and are enthusiastic follow
ers of Mckinley. They wanted to see and
hear the man whose sensational career
during and since the Chicago convention
has been one of the remarkable things in
American history, and, having seen and
heard him, they were well satisfied that
they are right in voting to maintain an
honest money standard and the integrity
of the Nation.
Theatrical stars know indianapolis for its
cold and critical audiences. Though there
were thousands among those who heard
Mr.. Bryan yesterday who were there to
cheer and be enthusiastic, there were many
other thousands who were there to make
a critical study of the nominee of the Chi
cago convention and see what manner OF
man he is. They saw man of the aver
age height and robust build dressed in a
plain business suit of black. with black
overcoat and brown soft hat, creased,
is the prevailing fashion. His appearance
gives an impression of great physical
strength and a will of iron, rather than
any idea of deep intelligence. His head is
wider at the bottom than at the top and
the strength OF his face lies in the con-
tour of his massive jaw and chin. His
mouth is remarkably wide, with firm set
lips and white even teeth. His nose indi-
Gates further strength of will in its aauiline
shape and generous proportion, while his
large nostrils indicate a fine physical
ganism. His forehead is high. but rather
narrow, and overhangs a pair of rather
small but keen black eyes. The luxuriant
black hair that waves about his neck has
grown IA bit thin on top and when speak
ing in the open air he protects his head
with black silk skull cap. He is i'm prime
physical condition. with good color and il
in good voice. In manner he is perfectly
self possessed, does not get excited in the
least and enjoys every opportunity that is
given him TO speak When his periods are
applauded his face breaks into a smile OF
perfectly frank and ingenious enjoyment
of the applause. Those who expected some
remarkable flight of eloquence. of great bits
of word painting in his speeches were dis
appointed. There was nothing of the kind.
in fact, he seemed to depend rather upon
sarcasm and phrases neatly put for his ef-
fects
He spoke to largely the same crowd at
all four meetings. The largest audience he
had was for the afternoon meeting In the
Statehouse grounds. This was variously es-
timated by those present. Charles r. Ken
nedy, Secretary of the Board of Agricul-
ture, who has had some years experience
in sizing up crowds at the State fair and
knowing by the gate receipts how many
people they contain. estimated 1t at fifteen
thousand. From that figure the estimates
ran as low as 1000 and high as $1,000
While there was cheering the crowds We're
not overly enthusiastic and there was lit
tie done to stir their enthusiasm.