The Van Buren press., 1896-08-15
Gov. w. J. Stone, of Missouri,
Makes the Speech for
the Committee.
Address of Mr.. Bryan Accepting the
Democratic Nomination for the
Presidency.
Madison Square Garden Crowded Almost to
Suffocation by an Enthusiastic
Crowd--A Great Event.

OIOWu--A OIcdb Eftut
New York, August 12.-That the inter-
est of the whole City of New York was
focused today upon Madison Square Gar
den, where notification was to take place,
was proven by groups OF sovereign cleo
tors which, as early as the middle of the
afternoon, began to come under the trees
in Madison Square, and which by B
o'clock had been reinforced by hun
dreds, at 6 o'clock was multiplied to ex-
pectant thousands and before O'clock
swelled to a straining, clamoring army
New York had discussed for weeks the
master stroke of oratory by which the
Nebraskan inspired the tidal wave of en-
thusiasm that swept him into the highest
place in the gift of his party, and curl
osity was rife whether the candidate
was equal TO second the speech that
might aid in winning for him the fore
most office in the gift of the country.
The Garden had been the scene for
other events of the same character. Po-
litical meetings had been held in it's
walls without number. Eight years ago
Cleveland had been there notified OF
his selection to lead the second time the
campaign of Democracy, but the speeu-
lalion attached to all these events had
been but shadows compared with the
fierce light of curiosity which beat upon
this night
President Cleveland had been a per-
sonage familiar to New York, but the
young leader who came out from the
West to plant the standard in the field OF
the enemy, as he called it, and there to
open the battle of the campaign, was
only name in this city. Therefore.
the assembly waited eagerly TO discov-
er what manner of man he was of whom
they had read SO much and what man
ner OF speech was his which had such
power over a great party convention
On this sultry night the whole oval OF
the Garden was furnace in which 20
OOO were to suffer fiery torture for their
enthusiasms sake.
The platform was a small affair erect
ed at the north side Of the hall, hardly
more than twelve feet square and draped
simply with American flags. The dec
orations were simple and not elaborate,
but in good taste, consisting entirely of
the national colors, festooned on the gal
leries above the stand with mammoth
crayon portrait of the presidential NOM
inee at the right of the platform and
one of his colleagues ON the ticket as a
companion piece.
The crowd swept into the hall Ike
mighty Hood when the doors Were open
ed about Z o'clock and waited impa-
tiently for the appearance OF the dis
tingushed men Who would figure in to-
nights event. Two or three times some
enthusiast rose in the galley and pro-
posed three cheers for Bryan, whocl az
hortation brought expected shouts. But
the first real demonstration of tie night
was given to the wife OF The presiden-
tial candidate.
1t was s o'clock when the policemen
in the doorway was heard calling make
way Tor Mrs. Bryan.
Those nearests heard the call and
climbed into chairs. Others promptly
followed suit, leaving seats rank after
rank as though answering to a word Of
command. Mrs. Bryan was seen climb
ing the steps that led to the box on the
arm of William p. st. John, treasurer of
the Democratic National Committee
She stepped down into the box from the
back and faced the mammoth audience.
giving New Workers their first sight OF
the woman who won her way into quick
popularity on a trip across the continent
with her husband. As Mrs. Bryan
swept her eyes across the hall. they had
a weary look and her face seemed very
pale. 1t lighted with a bright smile at
the roar which swept across the floor
and onward through the galleries and
which grew into swelling cheer and
rose and fell in a half dozen waves.
Twice Mrs. Bryan bowed to right and
left and then she was seated.
The cheer for Mrs. Bryan had not
ended when the foremost parsonage of
the hour, the Democratic candidate for
President, in the midst of a small group
Of bis chief supporters, appeared and
pushed through the doorway. The first
glimpse was Of black coated, broad
shOuldered man with roll of manuscript
held at his side, stepping with quick,
light stride up the front flight Of stairs.
At his side and towering over him was
the strong figure, clad in gray, Of Senator
Jones, Of Arkansas, chairman Of the
Democratic National Committee.
As the smooth shaver. strong faced
young statesman from the West stood
at the front Of the platform a flag was
raised and waved just above him In the
gallery so that its folds swept down as
the back ground for his form and made
him the one figure of the whole assem-
blage. The cheer that broke forth was