The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-18
BRYAN AT LINCOLN
DEMOCRACY's SILVER CANDIDATE
AT THE HOME OF HIS ADOPTION.
His Arrival Last Night the Occasion
OF Great Nonpa rtisan Demonstra-
ton in the "Boy's, Honor.
EVERYBODY WORE BRYAN CAPS
AND STREETS AND HOUSES WERE
THRONGED WITH sHoUTERs.
Reception in the Corridor of the State
Capitol. at Which Nearly All
the Citizens Were Present.
BRIEF SPEECH TOA MULTITUDE
THANKS RETURNED TO THE PEOPLE
FOR THEIR GREAT OVATION.
Incidents of the Trip from Kansas
City to Nebraska's Capital-Ad-
dresses mt Several Places.
Reception in the Corridor of the State
Capitol. at Which Nearly All
the Citizens Were Present.
BRIEF SPEECH TOA MULTITUDE
THANKS RETURNED TO THE PEOPLE
FOR THEIR GREAT OVATION.
Incidents of the Trip from Kansas
City to Nebraska's Capital-Ad-
dresses at Several Places.

LINCOLN, Neb., July 17-Amidst an up
roar of cannonading. pealing church bells.
screaming steam whistles and the shouts
of 10000 people. William ]. Bryan, the DEM
ocratic nominee for President. entered this.
the capital city of Nebraska. 1t was an
ovation the like of which the people of
this part of the country never before wit
messed. Half the population of the city
men. women and children, at the
depot to welcome him home. 1t was nom
partisan reception. for both Democrats and
Republicans participated in it. The Mayor
OF the city, the City Council. and dstin-
guiShed citizens of every political belief
were at the train. AS far as the eye could
reach were thronged streets, crowded
windows and enthusiastic shouters on the
roofs of the houses There were bands of
music. men carrying banners, with notices
complimentary TO the Democratic leader
and flags and bunting hanging from the
fronts of the business houses and dwell
ings. Even the newsboys, crying the even
ing papers, wore Bryan caps, and thou
sands of people blew tin horns or rang cow
bells. All this enthusiastic display occurred
IN spite of the fact that the sky was over
cast with a dull heavy cloud and drizzling
rain was falling. All day long excursion
trains brought in people from the surround
ing country. and tonight the whole town
is In turmoil of enthusiastic delight.
From the time Mr.. Bryan and his family
left Kansas City until they reached home
there was a continuous ovation. At Kan
sas City Judge o. NJ. Spencer general
counsel for the Burlington road, had his
private car attached to the train. He was
accompanied by his wife and bright baby
boy. and they did much to make IL pleas
ant for the free-silver nominee and his
family. AS soon as Mr. Bryan and his
family alighted from the train they were
driven TO their home, where friends and
neighbors had prepared feast for them
The house had been elaborately decorated
with electric lights. From their home
they were driven in a carriage and escorted
by Bryan marching clubs and military
bands to the Statehouse where they re-
ceived the citizens of the capital city. The
great corridor beneath the dome of the
Capitol was banked up with ferns and
tropical plants. Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan stood
beneath the dome and the thousands of
enthusiastic citizens passed through from
north to south and were presented to them.
MR.. BRYAN'S SPEECH
When the reception was over Mr. Bryan
went TO a platform erected at the north
end OF the Statehouse, where he addressed
what is said TO have been the largest con-
gregation of people ever assembled in
Lincoln. His speech was short, for there
was most unpleasant drizzing rain fall
ing. There Introductory speech
Mr.. Bryan was among his own people and
needed none. When he came forward he
n
Mr.. Bryan said:
Ladies and Gentlemen-I am proud to-
night 10 be able to say of those who are
assembled here these are our neighbors.
Gratis, Popuists. Prohibitionsists and mem
bers of all parties the gratitude which we
feel for this magnificent compliment. |
say We, because she who has shared my
struggles deserves her full share or All
the nonors that may come to me.
This scene tonight recalls the day
cident rather than by design, L first set
foot within the limits of the city OF Lin
coin. ! remember the day because | fell
in love with the town and then made the
resolve to make ii my future home. /
came among you a stranger in a strange
land and yet no people have ever treated
stranger more kindly than you have
treated me. But l desire to express to-
night not only our grateful appreciation
that you have shown us. but TO give to
you this assurance that, If by the suffrages
of my countrymen, | for u short time oc-
cupy the most honorable position within
the gift of the people. that l shall return
10 the people who first took me in their
arms. This shall be my home when earthly
honors have passed away and 1 shall min
gle my ashes with the dust of this beloved
State.
This is no political gathering. I see here
the faces of those who. with hearts
honest as L hope my own heart is. differ
from me on all the issues of the day. but
am glad that love can leap across party
do in ho hnIx frafn nH-, Will
those whose Judgment go apart. / thank
the Mayor of this great city for the charity
he has shown to-day. | thank all of those
the moment. to forget the differences that
exist between us and join in celebrating the
fact that at last the nomination for Presi-
dent has crossed the Missouri river. We
are glad that the Prohibition party came to
our city for its candidate. and IL the great
Republican party. which for so many years
has dominated in the counsels of the Ma
tion had selected a Nebraska man for the
head of that ticket l would have led you
in doing honor TO him. regardless of what
his opinion might have been. a n glad that
the States of this Union. East and West
and South. will have their attention
turned toward this great prairie State and
towards this capital city. We believe. my
friends. that when our fellow-eitizens in
other sections OF this land shall become
acquainted with the people of this State
and the people OF this Nation that they will
be brought nearer TO us. and that IL will be
a tie 10 bind us all in a common love OF
the greatest Nation on Gods footstool to-
day. And now. until 1 can see each one
of you personally and express my thanks
by pressure of he hand or by voice. per-
nit me TO bid you all. In behalf of my wife
and myself good night"
At the conclusion of his address the
crowd sent up shout that fairly made the
Statehouse tremble. Cheer after cheer went
up and the enthusiastic people were fairly
mad in their effort to demonstrate their
admiration. Upon their return home after
the demonstration at the Statehouse. Mr..
and Mrs. Bryan held reception at their
home in honor of the visiting members OF
the press. The joyous uproar in the way OF
blowing Of horns, ringing Of bells and dis