The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-04
COL. v. !. BRYAN
At MONTGOMERY
Delivered an Address to the
General Assembly,
WAS MET At THE DEPOT
And Escorted to the Capitol by
Legislative Committee.
THE UNIFORM OF A SOLDIER
Prevented His Discussing Questions
of a National Character.
INTRODUCED BY CUNNINGHAM
Crowds of People Thronged the His
toric Old Building to Listen to
the Words of Democracy's
Peerless Leader.
Prevented His Discussing Questions
of a National Character.
INTRODUCED BY CUNNINGHAM

Montgomery, December S.-(Special.)-
Colonel William ]. Bryan was given an
ovation by the general assembly of Ala
bama today.
The committee appointed by the house
yesterday afternoon for the purpose met
Colonel Bryan at the union passenger sta
ton this morning at 10:40 o'clock Colonel
Bryan stepped from the train unescorted.
He wore his uniform of colonel in the
United States army, and his appearance
was that of the perfect American soldier.
Major Brandon, who was acting chairman
of the committee, was first to greet the dis
tinguished American. After introducing
him to the members of the committee, Mr..
! Brandon said:
! "Colonel Bryan, this committee, raised
under house resolutions, has been appoint
ed to ask you-the fearless leader of dem
ocracy-to address the general assembly of
Alabama"
Colonel Bryan accepted the invitation,
with the provision that he could not discuss
public questions. The party were then
driven to the Exchange hotel, and after
spending few moment there were driven
to the capitol.
At the capitol there had assembled
throng of people who had heard that Colo
mel Bryan would address the assembly.
There were but few members in attendance
upon the sessions of either house. By COM
mon consent the day was gradually be-
coming a general holiday. The state off,
cials and their clerks were gathering in the
halls leading to the governors office, and
when the committee, with their distin-
guished guest arrived the way into the
governors office was pushed through a
throng of people.
Received by the Governor
Colonel Bryan was escorted into the pri-
vate office of the governor, where he met
most cordial reception. and the two were
left in private conversation for some mo-
ments.
In the meantime the senate and house
had taken an informal recess, and were
now assembling in joint session in the
house chamber. Speaker Waller of the
house and President Cunningham of the
senate were occupying chairs on the speak
ers stand, when the doorkeeper announced
the committee and their guest.
Colonel Bryan entered with Governor
Johnston, the committee following immedi-
ately behind them. The applause in the
chamber was deafening. AS Governor
Johnston and Colonel Bryan reached the
stand they were greeted by the presiding
officers, and Speaker Waller said:
"As speaker of the. house, I yield to the
president Of the senate the honor of intro
ducing our distinguished guest"
Colonel Bryan introduced
Senator Cunningham's Introductory
speech was one of the happiest efforts of
his life. He spoke with eioquence as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Cunningham's Speech
Senators and Representatives of the Gen.
eral Assembly of Alabama, the Governor
Ladies and Gentlemen:
II am sure that I voice the sentiments of
those present, and those whom you repre-
sent when l say that we, the representa-
tives of the people of this great common
wealth. the first in the call of the states,
the first in natural resources, the equals of
any in holy ambitions and aspirations, and
vie with any state In the union in the am
bition to exceed upon the lines of progress;
this state, once the cradle of an honored of
a just, but lost cause; the honored and dis
tinguished representative of a great politi-
cal organization in this country and also
man who has the constituent of reunited
country, the United States of America.
The basic principles of craftsmanship are
sincerity of purpose, patriotism in aspira-
ton, and fearlessness in execution. 1t is
my pleasure today to present to you man
who embodies In his life and his character
all these. He has the simon-pure -democ-
racy of Jefferson, he has the fearlessness,
heroism and character OF Andrew jackson,
he has the manhood and patriotism of an
Abraham Lincoln and he has the backbone
of a Grover Cleveland With such princi-
pies as that entering into his character he
is a man that ought to be. and by the eter-
nal gods and rock-ribbed democracy shall
be, the president Of the United States.
United the White People
'rhe platform upon which he stands has
brought together the white people of the
state of Alabama. 1t Is particularly fitting
that he should wear the un!fom of fed
eral soldier. 1t Is particularly fitting that
he should address you today here in this
capitol building. where the president OF the
confederacy was inaugurated. We are q
great people. We have within us souls.
who. when they arise In their fearlessness
are unequaled by any nationality, by any
nation. on the face Of the earth. Whether