The San Francisco call., 1897-07-08
IN OAKLAND.
! An Audience VIII Oh Was Not En-
thusiaStic.


thusiastic.
OAKLAND, CAL July From ten to
fifteen thousand -neople stood in the Lin
coin Plaza to-day under the MONDAY sun
for full hour 10 listen to speech by
William J. Bryan.
The result at the polls last Novem ber
lett no doubt that Alameda County is not
free-silver stronghold. But this did not
deter thousands of people from coming to
Oakland 10 hear the man who tecame
famous by his speech referring 10 cruci-
ixion on q golden cross.
During the last campaign, when silver
literature and silver oratory were freely
circulated, tne people of Alameda County
made an fort to induce Mr.. Bryan 10
visit this locality. He was, however, un-
alb lie to do 80, but the desire to see him
among the ardent fusionists only in
creased with time, and to-day their wish
was grati6ed.
Mr.. Bryan drove over from Alameda,
and promptly at noon was uShered on 10
the temporary p'a;form in Lincoln square
by Hon. w. w. Fo te ana George w.
Baker. His appearance was the signal
Tor mud cheer. He fac probably
1900 people, fully half of whom were
ladies' and The remainder men of ell
creeds. The visitor was regarded not as
Presidential candidate, but as q citizen
expressing his views on the silver ques-
ion and incidentally showing the alleged
Inconsistencies of the gold question.
About hundred vice-presidents sur
rounded the guest of the day. They were
not all Democrats, neither were they all
Popul:sts, although leading members Of
both parties were present. Some of those
who occupied seats were sianch Republi-
cans and took advantage of the canopy SO
as to better hear Mr. Bryans words.
Somehow or other the Nebraska mans
speech did not enthuse. Probably no
other truly famous man has ever greeted
a colder audience OF such prop ,rtions than
that which stood sweltering on the plaza
to-day. Probably the heat of the sun
robbed them of all energy, but the fact
remains that Mr.. Brysn's arguments did
not call for that warm response which
was expected by his friends and which
was said to be the result of his oralory
wherever he has been.
Chairman Foote set precedent for all
political meetings where there is q star
attraction. Instead OF occupying q large
portion of the time during which the peo-
pie very naturally would prefer 10 hear
the stranger Mr.. Foote merely said
Ladies and gentlemen. 1 take pleasure in
introducing 10 you our honored citizen,
William J. Bryan"
Mr.. Bryan was attired in manner that
no stretch of Imagination could cali aris.
tocratic. A single white pink was in his
buttonhole, and there was no fob or
watchchain, and not even a ring on his
nnger. He stepped to the front of he
Platform, raised his hand, the applause
ceased. and the eyes and ears and in
some cases the mouths of that vast audi
ence were opened to hear what he might
say.
he commenced by paying 4 tribute to
the Moral beauty of Cal fornia.
When reached Florida thought was in
the land OF howers, but you are strong COM
petltors, and l am glad that nature still
oooms and ossoms as brightly under a
vicious ncanclal policy they could even
under restoration OF the money OF the con-
stltution. Ii you ask me to exl ress the high
est nnd only coinmendable form O, Sc. fl .hness.
l lind 1t in the eleventh commandment wher.
we are commanded TO love our neighbors as
ourselves. 90
The paramount issue in this struggle of
seifi 'hness is for the best financial policy
which giye~ you dollar that / equal and
Iust-a dollar that will rob neith her the de btor