Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-07-16

Senator Hill offered various amend
ments to the majority report, all of
which were rejected by overwhelm-
ing majorities. The convention posi-
istration of Mr.. Cleveland, holding
that to do so would be to stultify
themselves and to give the lie to the
platform.
1t was in replying to the speeches
of Senator Hill and other gold stan
dard men, in regard to the platform,
that Mr.. Bryan made, perhaps, the
most effective speech ever delivered
on such an occasion, and to this
speech is largely ascribed his nomi-
nation for the Presidency. The
scene in the convention, when the
young orator concluded his remarks,
| beggared description and was most
extraordinary. AS if by the magic
touch of wand, delegation after
delegation rose in solid phalanX and
gave vent to the most enthusiastic
demonstration in honor of the Ne
braska orator. Everybody stood up,
even the Eastern men, who at first
were disposed to remain in their
seats. Westerners shouted, waved
handkerchiefs, hats, flags, canes, UNI
brellas and anything else conspicu-
Gus and portable. Deafening cheers
rent the air, articles of every descrip-
ton were thrown high above the
surging sea Of humanity. The stats
bearing the names of the States were
held aloft, with flags and other things
on top, and waved to and fro.
When that pastime became too
tame, nearly all of the silver States
and Territories, and some of the gold
States, Joined in procession, bear
ing the State poles, and marched in
triumph around the floor.
This Juror continued for quarter
of an hour, and no effort was made
by chairman or sergeant.at-arms to
check its tempestuOus progress
Away to the west and the north and
the south of the platform, in the null
tude OF spectators, the demonstra-
ton of the delegates was repeated.
The remarkable feature of this
wild out-hurst was that its sponta-
neity was apparent, and it was so
much personal tribute to Mr.. Bryan
that Eastern delegates who differed
with him caught the infection and
joined in moderately. Nebraska's
delegation was the cynosure of OBJ
servation, and the smooth faced sill
yer champion who had electrified
the convention sat unmoved in his
seat at the end of the aisle, opposite
his opponent from New York, Sena-
tor Hill.
Mr.. Bryan had concluded his great
speech with these striking words:
1--WE shall answer their demand
for the gold standard by saying to
| lou uOl press GOWN
upon the brow of labor this crown
Of thorns. You shall not cruelty
mankind upon a cross Of gold.'"
| Nominations being in order, many
excellent speeches were made nomi-
mating the various candidates-oneo of
the best being that of Senator Vest,
of Missouri, in placing Richard P.
Bland before the convention. He
declared that revolutions do not be-
gin with the rich and prosperous
They represent the protests of those
who are suffering from present con-
ditions, and whose demands for re-
lief are denounced by the beneficial.
ries of unjust and oppressive legisla-
ton.
Referring to the great movement
for the restoration of bimetalism
and of silver to its constitutional
status, Mr.. Vest declared that it had
come to stay. He described the
movement as a protest against the
wrong and outrage of 1873, when,
without debate, and with the knowl-
edge of only few men in Congress,
the silver dollar was stricken from
the coinage and the red despot OF
gold made supreme as to all values
1t is a declaration, said he, by the
freemen of America that the United
States must withdraw from the con.
spiracy which was formed to destroy
one-half the metallic money of the
world, in order to establish the sla.
very of greed and usury, more de
grading than the tyrany of armed
force. 1t is the stern demand from
unrequited toll, bankrupt enterprise
and ruined homes for change in the
money system which for years has
brought disaster and desolation.
Bland of Missouri, Boies of Iowa,
Mathews of Indiana, Mclean OF
Ohio, Bryan of Nebraska, Black burn
of Kentucky and Pattison of Penn
sylvania were put in nomination.
The first three ballots were as fol.
lows:
LIST End Bird
Bland 233 POI 24l
BOies II 36 33
Matthews 81 "a 36
Mclean 81 "a 46