The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-08-27
bRyAN'S DAY
Enthusiastic Thous-
andS Greet Their
Great [ eader.
A GRAND GALA DAY
A Rousing Reception
to the Distinguished
Citizen.

10 ln6 LIS llnS QISn0O
Citizen.
Not as vanquished hero, not as
silenced agitator, not as a defeated
candidate who sun of political great
ness had cast it's last unsteady rays
across the broad sea of human
events, but as one whose career as
public servant lay open before him,
as one whose sun of usefulness to
the plain common people of his
country had risen but a little way
above the horizon, growing brighter
each day, each hour, until it should
burst forth in all the splendor and
brilliancy that true merit deserves
in that light Rapio City, with out
stretched arms and shouts of well
come, extended her greeting to that
great commoner, William Jennings
Bryan, last Tuesday. 1t was such a
greeting as told of the affection Of
the plain masses for this man. Not
with flourish of trumpets, not
with an exhibition Of wealth ILL.,
gotten, not the reception of the kid
glove aristoccacy, but with hearty
shake of the hand which told of the
great heart that beat in common
sympathy with the common people
that was the reception which Mr..
Bryan rendered to those who had
rallied to hear him utter the words
of hope, comfort and encouragement
from commercial darkness into the
bright and shining light of better
times, and free a patriotic, Justice
loving, but unfortdnate people from
the chains of despondency and gloom
which have bound them and must
continue to bind them until the
reforms advocated by this man can
be indeed accomplished. Those who
loved MIR. Bryan prior to last Tues
day, now love him more than ever.
Those who were lukewarm toward
become enthusiastic in his behalf.
Those who differed from him politi-
cally have learned what absolute
fairness, courtesy and real kindness
IS in treating an opposing force, and
those who despised his name and
his cause have learned respect for
both. His presence in Rapid City
was such as to spread the spirit of
unity and encouragement into every
fragment of the allied silver organi
zations without incurring the i'll will
or bitterness of those who oppose
the restoration of the white metal.
1t was a great day. In the early
morning teams began arriving from
all over the southern Hills and by
noon the crowd was estimated at
four thousand people, all enthusias-
tic over the prospect Of participant
ing in the greeting to be extended
to Mr.. Bryan. The special train
bearing the distinguished guest and
his family, together with Governor
Lee and Congressman Knowles and
wife arrived at the junction of Sew
enth and Rapid stl eets at 2:3O p. IN.
and found the reception committee
and carriages in waiting. Seventh
street from the EIkhorn tracks south
for full block was packed with peo-
pie and as the great leader stepped
out into view the en- tire crowd broke
into cheer. The enthusiastic popu-
lace which filled Seventh street
made way for the procession, which
formed in the following order:
Rapid City Brass Band.
Carriage containing M. Bryan,
e. Howe and DR.. D W. Flick
Carriage con tanning Mrs. Bryan
and family and Mr.. and Mrs. j. N.
Woods.
Carriage obtaining Gov. Lee and
Congressman Knowles ard wife.
Reception committee in carriages.