The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-31
That Only Seats Eight ThOus'
and, to Hear Bryan.
MANY PEOPLE FAINT.
Bryan Refuses to Speak Until
Some Go Away.
Audience Cheers Continually,
Sings Star Spangled Banner.

Chautauqua, two miles from this city.
The determination of twice as many
people as the hall could hold to hear
the presidential candidate resulted in
a crush which would have ended in
great loss of life if the panic, which for
half an hour seemed imminent, had not
been prevented. The hall contains
seats for 5000 people, but fully 1900
were packed into it's fran walls, fight
ing for mere standing room. an hour
before the speech making began.
Mr. Bryan, Mrs. Bryan, Mr.. and Mrs.
Joseph c. sibley and members Of the
local committee pushed their way
through a crush on the platform to the
chairs reserved for them at O'Clock.
The candidate was instantly reoOgniz-
ed, and the cheer which his entrance
lSindled was one more intense and
shrin than any which he has heard
since the Chicago convention. All the
people stood on their chairs, filing the
auditorium with a storm of applause.
They did not give orderly cheers but
sent up a continual cheer which lasted
for several minutes. A choir on the
stage started to sing The star
Spangled Banner and before the end
of the first sentence was reinforced by
thousands Of voices, making a great
chorus.
When Mr.. Bryan was introduced the
trouble began The audience climbed
upon their chairs to cheer and did not
climb down Mr.. Bryan appealed to
them to be seated. but his appeals were
entirely ineffective. He stood for five
minutes making this endeavOr. and all
the time more people crowded into the
doors and climbed in the windows.
There were thousands outside and few
policemen to keep them back. Viewed
from the platform, the whole auditor
ium was a struggling mob, while over
head men chung like monkeys to the
rafters. There were 500 people IN the
center of the aisle, and those in front
were in danger of being crushed to
death Women were shrieking on the
platform. The few ladies there sat
with white faces.
Mrs. Bryan smiled nervously for
It looked as if the people below would
he pushed onto the stage Mr.. Bryan.
Sibley and several other committee
men took turns appealing to those in
the aisles and the back of the hall
to go out, but they could not, although
they tried. One man in the gallery
got q hearing, and yelled: For Gods
sake, go out; people will be killed"
Another in the pit called out: Don't
Is dangerous"
Mr.. Bryan said that he would not
speak, and started to leave. Afr- Sibley
making the announcement that the
meeting would have to be abandoned
unless a part OF the audience could be
driven out. Half a dozen people strug-
Eled to clear the middle aisle. Word
was finally shouted that Mr.. Sibley
would make an outdoor speech.
Thirty-ffve minutes after Mr.. Bryan
had made his first attempt to speak, he
made the second beginning. and the
speech was provtdentially finished with
cut accident.
In the crowds outside, however, many
persons were squeezed until they faint
ed before Mr.. Sibley created a diversion
by speaking from a stand some dis
6ance from the hall. The enthusiasm
OF the night apart from its troubles,
was greater than Mr.. Bryan has seen
since the Chicago convention. His
speech was devoted to the financial
question, and in the beginning he said
that If the people crowded so to hear
about free silver in the Republican
banner county, he would not dare to
bring them out in a Democratic cOun-
~.
The address delivered by Mr.. Bryan
was largely on the lines Of his speech
at Hornellsvflle. He accused his po-
litical opponents of having brought
about a panic to secure the accom-
plishment of private ends. He said
they had forced issue after issue of
bonds, regardless OF prices and OF the
taxpayers who had to pay the prices.
He spoke of the Democratic admins
tratfon as one whose financial policy
had aroused the ire Of producers Of
wealth The Republican party, he said
lost its opportunity in not dsnOuncing
s1-.4 -,oTsoxy and rrf offering tn give f1a
people silver. If the Republican party
had espoused the cause OF the people,
no human agency, said Mr.. Bryan,
could have prevented its victory in this
campaign. He laid particular stress
upon the claim of the Republican par
~ that 1t had struck the shackles
from all the slaves, and he gained
great applause by his statement that 1t
was now attempting to fasten the fet-
tiers upon 10000, 600 free men
Gold is a coward" was one Of his
expressions 1T has ever been q cow
ard" and the reason the advocates OF
the gold standard are towards is be-
cause their consciences bring them to
the realization that they bring ruin
TO the human race. Referring to the
Republicans, he said they have penned
themselves in where they must receive
the attack of every person who loves
his country better than his pOcketbOok.
All his references to foreigners ruling
this country financially were eheered,
particularly the statement that IF
you. cannot expect pity from st. Louis,
how can you expect 1t from Lombard
street His remark that the Repub-
lican party had destroyed the market
for silver also gained great applause,
and cheers were even louder when he
said that he would admit that soma
Democrats had become particepS cTirn-