Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-09-23
FLY A BRYAN FLAG.
Democrats Hold a Rousing
Demonstration.
STARRY BANNER IN SECOND AVENUE

Hundreds of Enthusiastic Voters Parade
Through the City and Listen to Inrer-
estinE Addresses by Charles BufOrd and
Ambrose r. Mc(iuirk
The piercing shrieks of an especially
designed whistle on the building con-
tanning the Bryan club rooms and a
lurid flame shooting up from the
roof was the signal at 7:30 last even
ing Of the beginning of the demon
stration in honor of the Bryan club
flag raising on Second avenue, be-
tween Eighteenth and Nineteenth
streets. Hundreds of people filled
the street and gathered about the
gaily decked speakers stand On the
north side of the avenue. There was
a chill in the atmosphere, but not in
the hearts of those who gathered to
give attention to the speakers and to
cheer their elo9uence and logic. The
parade which preceded the demon
stration was little tardy in forming,
but the crowd waited patiently.
1t was a gala night and the cheers
from the multitude which turned out
to hear the democratic side of the
question is further evidence Of the
growth Of the free silver cause. A
parade preceded the speech making,
which was held from a platform
erected in front of the Kellerstrass
building on the north side of the
avenue. The Bryan club was joined
at its headquarters by the Altgeld
and South Rock Island and South
Heights clubs, a number Of the lat
ter being mounted. The parade
headed by Bleuer's band moved west
on Second avenue to Twelfth, thence
south to Fourth, east on Fourth to
Twentieth street, thence north to
Second avenue and down t. the
scene o. the flag raising. After the
parade had come to a standstill the
flag was raised amid the cheers of
the vast assem- blage and while the
band was playing the Star Span
gled Banner"
Then President Huesing. of the
Bryan club. mounted the platform.
In short Introductory talk he re-
ferred 10 the statements being made
in the Chicago newspapers to the
effect tnat 80 per cent of the men
employed in the Rock Island shops
were supporting Mckinley. He said
to judge from the turnout before him
he felt justified in saying that the
statement was far from being cor
rect. MIR. Huesing then introduced
Charles Buford as Rock Island
county's next states attorney. Mr..
BufOrd was loudly cheer d. He said
that in the great question which was
at present agitating all classes of the
American people he thanked God the
democratic party stood on the side Of
right History would bear out his
statement. The great historians,
even those who belong in the repub-
lican ranks. offer testimony in cup
port of the position that the demo-
Gratis are correct.
Bryan the Peoples Choice.
MIR. Buford said that many people,
especially republicans, were scoffing
at the idea OF such a young man as
Bryan being entrusted with the gov
ernmentai reigns. Why, he said. it
was ridiculous when we look back
and see that Thomas Jefferson was
many years his junior when he
wrote the Declaration of Independ-
ence. while Pitt ruled England at
2l. Bryan is young. The Ameri-
can people want young man; one
of vigor, energy and honesty, such
as he, to instill new blood into the
veins of commerce and restore pros
perity and confidence to the Ameri-
can people.
Then Mr.. Buford made reference to
Mr.. Mckinley, who he said never
carried musket in the late war, not
outstanding the grsndstand play he
was making now concerning his rec
ord in that bloody conflict. McKin-
ley. he continued. enlisted ss a cook.
And he remained in the commi ssarv
depar. ment during his entire term
Of service. And he is in the same
business yet-cooking his own goose
for November.
Although there was an abundance
of corn and wheat in the country for
the people to eat. Mr.. Buford ar
gued, there was nothing with which
to buy it. There are millions OF
men. but no employment for them.
There are remedies for this condi-
ton propounded by both parties.
The democratic platform SAYS it will
better conditions by the remone:izs.
ton of silver. and thereby increase
the circulating medium; do SO by the
consent OF the American people and
the N alone. The repu blican party
pretends that it is in favor of doing
likewise. but not until England gives
her permission. The speaker be-
lisved the republican party has no
intention of restoring the financial
system to q bimetallie basis. If that
is the case, its declara, ions on the
money question are the result of ig-
norance or ostentation with the de-
frauding of the American voter as
the object.
The claim which the republicans
were making that free silver would
only benefit the mine owner, Mr.. Bu-
ford said, was poor attempt at ar
gument. But other great men in
tbsf r.rtr admit the farmer will no