Natchitoches populist. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1898-1899, 1898-10-21
MON. MI. d.. E&gAN.

ant to call met in the city Of Match
itoches on the 1st day Of October
and nominated Hon. II. l.. Brian
for congress on the first ballot.
Mr.. Brian accepted the nomina-
ton in a neat speech and promised
be would use his utmost energy to
carry the banner to success that
had been placed in his hands.
Mr.. Brian was born in Grant
parish near where the town of Pol
lock now stands, about thirty-three
years ago. His father was the
venerable B. F. Brian, who was so
widely known as a preacher, phi
losophor and philanthropist. He
was reared on the farm, attending
the country schools as opportuni-
ty would permit. Being Of a stu
dious disposition, Mr.. Brian ac-
CURED wider knowledge of books
than most young men of his OPP
portunities. Possessed of a won
derfully retentive memory, and
this combined with his studious
disposition at the age of twenty
one Mr.. Brian found himself bet
ter equipped to successfully fight
the battles of life on the stage of
human action than most people
raised in the rural districts.
Mr.. Brian married the eldest
daughter of J. j. Dickerson of
this parish some twelyes years ago
and settled down to school teach
inc and farming. He joined the
Farmers Alliance in 1887, and be-
came leading member of that
grand organization. By the AL
lance he was sent as a delegate to
the Cincinnati convention that met
on the 10th Of May, 1891, where
the Peoples party was really born.
He saw the pyramid formed of the
Kansas delegation on the platform
in that notable gathering, and he
joined in the genuine old rebel
yell inaugurated by cyclone Davis
of Texas, which was cheered to the
echo by the delegates from the
four quarters of the Union. This
demonstration was made while the
Blue and the Gray embraced on
the platform and wept tears of Joy
at the bridging Of the bloody
chasm, and tears of anguish for
the oppressed millions of Ameri-
cas- citizenship. This was one of
the most notable gatherings that has
ever assembled on the continent in
more respects than one.
Mr.. Brian was nominated by the
Peoples party of this parish for
representative in 1891. He was
elected in the spring Of 1892 by q
big majority, and served with dis
tinction two sessions of the legis-
lature, while his father was a mem
Der of the State Senate at the same
time.
Mr.. Brian enjoys the distinction
of editing the first Peoples party
paper established in the South
The Comrade, founded by him
Oct. 3rd, 1890. Ye humble edi-
tor was associate at that time.
In 1894, Mr.. Brian established
the Louisiana Popnlist and remov-
ed to Natchitoches, where he now
resides.
In 1895, he was elected chair
man of the State committee of the
Peoples party. He conducted the
Populist end of the State campaign
in 1896 with signal success. This
was the most brilliant campaign
that any party in the State has
ever made, and had it not been for
the counting machine, Capt. John
n. Pharr, the standard bearer of
our party in that memorable con-
test, would today be governor of
the State.
Mr.. Brian is one of the ablest
men in the State, in or out of the
Peoples party. His ability is re-
cognized by his opponents as well
as by his friends. He has made
the best fight for the principles of
the Populist party possible, under
the circumstances. He has never
faltered, but has always continued
to shell the enemy with grape and
canister.
He would be an honor to the
State and the district and a credit
to himself in the congress of the
United States. Few men of Mr..
Brian's opportunities are able to
boast OF the endowments he pos
sesses. He is energetic and one
of the most ready debaters we have
ever known A hrain;or man