The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1896-07-11

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was revival of the excitement of 40
years ago on the same day in July.
The auditorium at Crete holds about
four thousand people and the stand
taken down again. One end of the
shed. which Is all that the auditorium
is, is filled up by a platform which ex-
tends across it from side to side. The
roof and pillars are painted white so
that the interior is lighted by reflected
and twice reflected light. The open
sides of the shed are so low that only
the grass and trees are visible from the
inside. Even on the sunniest day,
therefore. the light in the pavilion is
end of the shed was filled with two or
three hundred people. most of whose
faces are familiar to Lincoln people.
Nobody was sure that in a few days
one Of the debators would not be the
nominee of a great party for president.
All the interest that a people feels in
the heir apparent this audience felt
In looking at Mr.. Bryan. He was not
self-conscious under the scrutiny. but
bore it with a dignity that showed him
not untitled, go far as aspect goes, for
the office which. if a democrat should
fill it, Nebraska republicans would be
pleased, in spite of party, to see Mr..
Bryan fill. Mr.. Irish looked stern and
determined While his opponent was
speaking his lips were set firmly to-
gether and he looked mad; so did the
solid gold advocates who came up
from Lincoln. Mr.. Harwood. Mr.. Whe-
don, Mr.. Low, Mr.. Wing and Mr..
Burnham. None of Mr.. Bryan's sallies
and flashes amused them. So far as
they were concerned. white cotton
gloves. crepe hat bands and Mr.. j.
Sterling Morton would have added
only to the funeral aspect. Their
gloom would have satisfied the spec
tacular love of mourning inherent in
an Irishman or a darkey. On the other
side Mr.. Bryan was flanked by vocifer-
Gus silver men that laughed on both
sides and yelled for Mr.. Bryan only.
The latters large, regular features are
fitted for the stage. He is at his best
when opposed. though after speaking
for a few moments he controls the
audience. whether it be of his own
political faith or not. His absolute
control of the situation. nettled Mr..
Irish, who was somewhat at a disad-
vantage having just arrived from
California Probably no orator in the
country has the GOODNESS and the skill
10 turn unfortunate remarks and ac-
cidents to his own advantage that Mr..
Bryan has. If he should ever be
elected president some of the most i'm
portant rights granted by the people
to individuals might change hands. 1t
is just such men as the laboring man
disconnected with his position and
anxious to select representatives who
will listen to his side of the story.
Attention to their complaints may
cause changes, which. of course, are
to be deplored A matter of such ma
tional Importance as the grass around
the White house might be overlooked
by a man like Mr.. Bryan. He would
listen to what an army of tramps had
to say just for the sake of appear
ances and because they were men.
Such a course would be destructive to
the peace that it is desirable to main
tain. Every man in his place" is the
only rule for quiet, though only few
are brave enough to announce it.
Except the pyrotechnics inside the
auditorium on the afternoon of the
Fourth there were none to be heard
on the grounds. The Chautauqua
small boy was content with very few