Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-04-07
MIR. BRYAN'S RECEPTION.


Senator Jones, Of Arkansas, and
Representative Benton McNIillin
Present--Grcat Enthusiasm.
The visit of Hon. William Jennings
Bryan to Alexandria was one of the
grandest successes in the history of the
city. King street was painted red, the
Opera House was packed to its fullest
capacity, and hundreds of people were
on the outside unable to obtain admis
sion. The nall had been beautifully
and tastefully decorated. United
States flags were in profusion, and fes-
toons were stretched in every direc-
ton. On the stage were portraits OF
Bryan, Sewall and Rixey, and all the
paraphernalia of the last campaign
were brought out. A beautiful bou.
quet, arranged by Miss Frances Smith,
was on the table and another
was sent to Mr.. Bryan after he
reached the platform by Mrs. <.
E. Todd. In fact the demon
stration was more earnest than at any
of the meetings held during the CAM
paign. Long before the doors of the
Opera House were opened crowds be-
sieged the building and surged to and
fro on the pavement in order to get in
as quickly as possible and secure prom.
inent seats as soon as the hall was
opened. 200
Mr.. Bryan arrived in the city at $50
%. M. and was met at the depot by a
deputation from the Bryan, Sewall and
Rixey Club.
Messrs. George Drewry and L. II.
Machen, special committee. went TO
Washington and accompanied him to
the city. He was met at the Washing
ton and King street station by Messrs.
NJ. B. Harlow, president of the club;
its vice president, John H. Strider,
and Secretary Roy Hassler. The news
of his coming was in the city, so that
there was quite crowd at the station
TO greet him on his arrival. MIR. Bryan
was taken on drive to Shutters Hill,
accompanied by Messrs. Harlow, Hass-
Ter and Drewry, and enjoyed the
splendid landscape views from that
historic eminence. At 6 o'clock he
dined with Mr.. Drewry, On Columbus
street, only members of MIR. Drewry's
family being present.
About half-past seven O'Clock the
committee, headed by MIR. M. B. Har-
low, president of the Bryan-Sewall-
Rixey Club, which was preceded by the
Third Regiment Drum Corps, left the
hall and marched up King street 10
Columbus to the residence OF Mr..
Gdorge Drewry, where the distinguish
ed guest was domiciled, and after each
member of the committee had been in
troduced to Mr.. Bryan and had enjoy
ed conversation with him the party
formed in line and escorted MIR. Bryan
to the hall. The line Of march down
King street was attended by much en-
thusiasm. The drum corps discoursed
excellent music, while variegated lights,
roman candles, cannon crackers, &c,
rendered the scene very animated.
When the hall was reached it was
found to be literally packed. Every avail
able inch of standing room had been
pre-empted, and it was with difficulty
that Mr.. Bryan and his escort reached
the stage. Mr.. Bryan's appearance in
the hall brought forth tremendous APP
plause, which was spiritedly renewed
when he reached the stage. A large
number of ladies were in the galleries.
and there was huttering OF handker-
chiefs and waving of small flags. The
Drum Corps further enlivened the
scene, and when the music had ceased
Mr.. Harlow advanced to the footlights
and in few Well-timed remarks intro
duced Mr.. Bryan. The audience went
off in spasm of enthusiasm, and after
short interval, when order had been
secured, Mr.. Bryan began his speech.
He said the country was not in the
throes of political campaign. The
next one would not occur until q year
and half shall have elapsed, when
Congressman will be chosen, and three
and half years will have passed away
before there will be another contest for
President. 1t was very hard to tell
where the campaign of 1896 ended, or
when that of 1900 will begin. The
quiet but determined start to work
which is so manifest on the part of the
silverites throughout the country is re-
markaole, and shows that the check of
last fall is but temporary and that the
battle of victory is yet to be fought.
The followers of the silver standard be-
lieved they were right and believe so
still. and have firm faith in the ultimate
triumph of their cause. Elections do
not settle issues. Elections simply set
tie which theory will be tried. 1t is
experience that settles questions. Par
ties are organized, candidates are nomi
mated, platforms are adopted and prin-
ciples are set forth or presented to audi
ences throughout the land, and the
theories in which the parties believe
are explained. These theories are COM
pared, argument is closed, the time
comes to vote, and the people, by their
ballots, decide which theory they will
try. In the campaign just closed, MIR.
BRYAN said, the money question was the
paramount issue. He called attention
here to the numbers of those who here
tofore considered other Issues para
mount, but who, in the last election,
voted for silver, considering it the vital
issue. 1t was decided that the Ameri-
can people would continue the gold
standard for four more years, unless in
the meantime foreign nations shall take
pity on us and help us to do what
American men and women should be
able to do for themselves. The ques.
ton, however, has been settled for four
years. and the policy of the Admins
tration has been determined for four
years, but only for four years.
AFR Rrvan then went into the question