Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1896-07-31
?.pvG,I Nominations.
Bryan for President, and Watson Of
Ca, for Vice President.

Ga., TOR vice ffeSlu6nt.
The Populist convention at st. Louis, NOM
mated Vice President first. and selected Thos.
A. Watson of Ca. for that position. Mann
Page of Va, was put in nomination for the
place, but declined. Notwithstanding the
fact that two OF more kilograms were receiv-
ed from Mr.. Bryan saying that he would not
accept the nomination for President unless
Sewall was also nominated for Vice Presi-
dent, Gen. Weaver put Mr. Bryan in nOmina-
ton.
GEN. WEAVER'S SPEECH NOMINATING MIR.
BRYAN.
In nominating Mr.. Bryan Gen. Weaver said
in part:
"This country has recently witnessed a
new pentecost and received another baptism
of fire. The recent Convention at Chicago
sounded bugle call for union, which can
neither be misunderstood nor 60 UNDECIDED;
In its patriotic utterances and action it swept
away all middle ground and opened the road
to formidable organic alliance. They not
only made union possible thank Heaven! they.
have rendered it inevitable. We will not re-
fuse the proffered assistance Of at least
8 600, 600 free-silver Democrats and not less
than 900, 900 free-silyer Republicans simply
because they have shown the good sense to.
come with an army fully equipped and mann
ed for battle.
General Weaver made the declaration that
neither Mr.. Bryan nor his personal friends
have any right whatever to say what the
action of this Convention should be. (Cheers.)
This is greater question than the person.
atty of it's candidates. and as an individual
tell you that that is the fact After your
action last night after had read the tele-
grams from Mr.. Bryan, | utterly refused: and
! here now utterly refuse to confer either
with Mr.. Bryan or Mr.. Jones as to who shall
be the nominee of this Convention. That is
matter that we have right to determine for
ourselves 1t is the relief of 70, 900, 900 people
that is at stake.'
''In the name of the suffering people affirm
that this is no time for dissensions nor party
divisions. The supreme hour for action has
arrived
MATCHLEss CHAMPION OF THE PEOPLE.
If you allow the present happy juncture to
pass, all the heroic work of 20 years will be
thrown to the winds. The people have a
gallant champion in the field, who is leading
revolt against the plutocracy OF Christen-
dom. The confederated monopolies have
laid aside their parties and are marching
in hot haste against him.
'Letus signal to him to hold the fort. that
we are coming. and then hasten to his re-
lief. Gentlemen, l want to say to you in all
earnestness that, assailed as is this gallant
knight, by the sleuth- hounds of the money
power of the world, you may deliberate here
as long as you please, but you cannot prevent
the people from rushing to the support of the
recognized leader.
Therefore IN obedience to my highest con-
ception Of duty, with solemn conviction
that | am right, | place In nomination
for the Presidency of the United States dis
tinguished gentleman, who, let it be remem-
bered, has already been three times Endorsed
by the Populist party of his own State L
name that matchIess champion of the people,
that intrepid foe of corporate greed, that
splendid young statesman-William Jennings
Bryan of Nebraska"
THE CROSS AND CROWN.
General Weaver, in his opening remarks
asked the Convention not to applaud, and the
delegates listened to him without much de-
monstration. But when he concluded the
Convention broke loose. Cheer followed
cheer. The delegates jumped to their chairs,
and flags, handkerchiefs, coats hats and State
guidons were waved in wild confusion.
Through one of the side entrances four men
carried big yellow cross, 4 by feet feet in
size, surmounted by crown of thorns. On
it were incribed he words with which Bryan
closed his brilliant speech at Chicago:
t.VOu CHI IL not Of thnrCS
upon the brow of labor; you shall not cruelty
mankind upon cross Of gold.''
A big crayon portrait of the Nebraska
statesman was also carried into the hall.
The cross, banners and State guldons were
carried frantically about the pit. Then,
with the cross leading, they were carried to
the stage, where for five minutes they danced
in confusion, while the delegates howled with
delight r..
Mr.. Keppler OF Nevada, who bore the cross
finally planted it at the edge of the stage
and the bearers of the stage banners and flags
descended to the pit and continued their de.
monstratiOn.
After quiet was restored the roll of States
was called and Mr.. Bryan's nomination was
almost unanimous.
The nomi nation was made on Saturday and
that night at Lincoln Nebraska Mr.. Bryan
said to press reporter:
"When the Populists decided to name the
Vice President first, Senator Jones, chairman
of the National Committee, wired me as fol-
lows: 'Populists nominate Vice President
first. If not Sewall, what shall we do? Ans
wer quick. 1 favor your declination in that
case' wired Immediately as follows: I
entirely agree with you. Withdraw my name
if Sewall is not nominated
These dispatches were published in the
morning on papers, and the convention under
stood my position. In spite of this they have
seen fit to nominate me. Whether shall &C
cept the nomination or not Will depend en-
tirely upon what conditions are attached to
it, My first desire is to aid in securing the
immediate restoration by the United States of
the free and unlimited coinage of gold and
silver at the present legal ratio of 16 to 1,
without waiting for the aid of any other
nation. The Republican platform
declares that the bimetallic system should be
restored but asserts that we as a
people are helpless to secure bimetallisn for
ourselves until foreign nations come to our
assistance. We cannot afford to surrender
our right to legislate for our people upon
every question. and so long as that right is
disputed, no other question can approach it in
importance.
81 appreciate the desire manifested at ST.
Louis to consolidate all the free-silver forces,
and regret that they did not nominate Mr..