Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1899-06-01
THE FIRST GUN FIRED.
MONSTER DEMOCRATIC MEETING
AT ST. LOUIS THE BEGINNING
OF THE CAMPAIGN.
BRYAN THE PROMINENT FIGURE.
He viii Again, Beyond Question, Head
the Democratic Ticket in 1900
Portion of His Speech Hon.
Champ Clark's Talk in
Brief "A Monster
Gathering.

n conference OF Oemocratlc uatiOn
al committeeman, meeting OF th
Democratic State Committee, mann
moth antitrust dinner In the Coli
scum, and big overflow meeting i
Music Hall formed the programm
which drew thousands of Democrat
from all parts of the United States t
st. Louis Thursday.
The national committeeman held
conference at the Planters Hotel, q
which twenty-three States were rep
resented. Col. Bryan was present a
the holder of a proxy. Ex-Governo
Stone, OF Missouri presided. N,
formal action was taken on part,
issues, but they we're discussed an,
the discussion will have an effect II
the campaign of 1900. Methods o
raising campaign funds were gonl
into at length. The conference re-
quested Senator James K Jones
chairman OF the committee, to call I
meeting Of the body for July 20 q
Chicago. 1t was the generally ex
pressed opinion that IL Chairman J. K
Jones gives up his position on the
committee because of Ill health, hs
will be succeeded by Ex-Governor W.
]. Stone.
The State Committee met at ths
Laclede Hotel. Chairman s. B. Cool
presided. The vacancy caused by tht
death of Joshua Carty, OF Jefferson
county, was filled by the election o.
Ed Bean of the same county to thai
place.
At O'Clock the Jefferson Clubs
antitrust dinner was opened at the
Coliseum, with every one Of the ], Az
seats at the tables taken.
A six-course dinner was served
without a hitch. The audience was
admitted to the boxes, the dress circle
and the gallery at 8 p. M, and before
the speaking began, shortly after
O'Clock, fully $500 persons were pres
ent.
The speaking was opened by Harry
B. Hawes, vice-president Of the JEFF
ferson Club, who acted as toastmaster.
He gave q brief sketch of the origin
and purpose of the gathering.
The presentation OF two satin BAN
ners for effective campaign work, as
shown by results, followed. Hon.
Champ Clark made the presentation
speeches.
O. B. Faris responded on behalf of
Pemiscot county, which received the
banner offered by D. W. Oaruth to the
county showing the largest gains at
the last election.
m e. Benton responded on behalf
of the Fifteenth Congressional Dis
trict, which was awarded q banner for
showing the largest gains of any Con-
gressional district at the last election.
These speeches were followed by
Dol. Moses O. Wetmore, chairman Of
the banquet committee. Hespoke on
'sTrusts and Democracy"
David A. DE Armond followed with
an address on "The Trusts and Their
Parents"
William J. Bryan closed the set
speeches. He spoke on "Monopolies," !"
and his speech called forth great
bursts OF enthusiasm.
While the speaking was in progress
in the Coliseum, large overflow
meeting was held in Music Hall, at
which fully 5000 persons were pres
ent. ALI the speakers who spoke at
the dinner also addressed the overflow
meeting. The leading speakers were
VIM. J. Bryan, e. A. Noonan, o. H. P.
Belmont, Champ CLARK, David A. Ball,
A. NJ. Dockery, Harry B. Hawes and
W. II. Harvey.
MR.. BRYAN's SPEECH IN BRIEF.
Hon. VIM. ]. Bryan in part spoke
as follows:
HIthink I'm not too sanguine when I
say that all the indications throughout
the land point to a victory for the
Democrat party In 1900.
"Four years ago the Democratic
party was divided. No such q cam
paign had been fought since the days
Of Andrew Jackson. It was contest
to determine whether we were going
to have two Republican parties, or
whether the Democratic party was to
stand. With all the opposition to the
Chicago platform, we succeeded in
polling over 100000 OF votes, one
million more than ever had been
polled by 8 political party before.
"Fcur years ago we were not san
guine of success, for then we had q
divided party, but to-day we have q
united Democracy throughout the
length and breadth of this land. To-
day we are united stronger, not only
on the old issues, but we are also
gaining strength on the new ones.
Gan attempt has been made since
the last national campaign to increase
our standing army. In 1896 force Of
80 900 men was deemed sufficient for