The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-08-14
Bryan's TriumphaI March.

York ever witnessed. The staff re-
porter of the Philadelphia Press
describes the scene:
Neither New York nor any other
American city has ever beheld so
amazing volcanic upheaval of
humanity in a political meeting as
dashed against the gates of Madison
Square Garden Wednesday night,
flooded the great ampitheatre and
beal unavailingly against the out
side in torrent of living spray.
More than 10000 people were in
the building, twice as many more
struggled, swore and wilted outside.
The reception given William
Jennings Bryan, with Vice Presi-
dental candidate Sewall included
by courtesy, was silver-lined
scintillating triumph of roaring
multitude eager to see this man of
whom they had heard much, beside
itself with enthusiasm, perspiring
and caoatless, yearning to whoop it
up with fine contempt for the
worth of phrase so long as it
sounded well and "knocked the
stuffing out" of something.
But the free silver ovation must
not be underestimate. No man
who ever faced an American audi
ence was overwhelmed with more
thrilling demonstration than greet
ed the smooth faced Boy Orator as
he tried in vain to quiet the wild
scene for nearly ten minutes before
he could say a word.
His introduction was as theatre
cal and soul-stirring as even his
heart could have wished. No man
present will ever forget that scene.
The large majority of this multitude
had shaken coats and convention
ality, and they were ever ready to
yell full throated, with the shrill,
defiant ring of Americans in
earnest.
They were with Bryan heart and
soul and the sight of him swept the
throng with delirious tumult. The
scenes preliminary to his speech of
acceptance of the Democratic NOM
nation for the Democracy were in
the nature of an climax. The
crowd was thirsting for Bryan ora
tory. for fireworks and metaphors,
and appeals to passions aud preju-
dices, rather than logic and reason.
A CALM ADDRESS.
But disappointment settled like
a pail over the garden, for Mr..
Bryan, with self control and sac
rifce for which he must be given
due credit, did what he had fore
told. He read from manuscript, to
which he confined himself closely,
an address which took an hour and
three-quarters of time and which
to answer the main ar
guments made against the unlim-
tied coinage Of silver and to defend
the Chicago platform.
There was nothing of the orator
in the candidates voice and deliv-
cry until his peroration, when he
dallied with short flight of meta
phor, He simply read his speech
without impressive information or
gesture and the outbreaks of APP
plause were not frequent or enthu-
siastic until near the end, when the
speaker flashed sparks of his
peculiar magnetism and eloquence.
His voice was in bad shape and
showed the effects of the strain
which damaged it on the journey
East.
Mr.. Bryan realized that a sober,
speech would look
far better in cold type than pyro-
technic flights of glittering general
tiles, and he talked to the news
paper reading public.
He was keen enough to realize
his supreme opportunity to show
by how much his position was sup,
ported by sober sense and reason.
He did his best and made the most
speech Of his life.
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