The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-30
GREAT DAY FOR BRYAN.
Made IS Speeches Saturday to En-
thusiastic Nebraska Crowds.

Benkleman, Neb., Oct. 30.-William J..
Bryan made Is speeches Saturday, traV-
eled $50 miles, shook hands with hum
dreds of his personal friends VINO gain
cred along the route to greet him. and
announced in the evening that he felt
able to undertake the same journey
over. It was Bryan'S day in southern
Nebraska There is no disputing that
1t was the tour of his life, and MI
Bryan said so with much elatiOn in the
evening. He began speaking before the
sun was an hour high, kept it up until
after nightfau and then ate his dinner
with relish. The last crowd to greet
him was in this place and several hun
dred men came from the Colorado line,
CARS DECORATED WITH GRAIN.
From start to finish the tour was an
enthusiastic affair. Towns along the
route were decorated. citizens wore
great badges and the special train
which carried the party was COW
cred with souvenirs of the agricultural
section it passed through in the shape
of corn stalks IA feet lOng,gfeaI SheaVeS
of wheat, oats and rye and other pro-
ducts of the plains of Nebraska, fasten-
ed to the cars by the enthusiastic farm
ers.
Nothing like this demonstration was
ever witnessed in Nebraska, and Mr..
Bryan characterized it as little less
than marvellous. He expressed his sat
isfactiOn and declared that from day to
day the situation was improving for the
fusion forces.
Mr.. Bryan was so greatly fatigued
at night that a private car was pro-
vided for him, but in the evening he
said he felt well.
Brass bands innumerable were along
the route and the appearance of the
special train was the signal of wild
clamOr all along the line. Crowds gath
cred at crossings and forced the engine
driver to stop long enough for a few
words to be spoken by Mr.. Bryan, who
confined himself very largely to dis
IL ION
though occasional remarks from the
crowds forced digressiOns.
MIR BRYAN'S LITTLE PUN.
While Mr.. Bryan was addressing a
big crowd in RiVertOn, and while de-
nouncing imperialism as opposed to the
Declaration of Independence, farmer
yelled:
7 fought four years in defense of the
Declaration Of Independence. How long
did you fght?"
Il was born in 1885," replied Mr.. Bry-
an, but I was up in arms. 1 am as
tonished," he added that a man who
fought for four years to apply the De-
claratiOn of Independence to a black
man should now wish TO deny it to a
brown man, who is only half black.
Why do you do it? You tell me it is
destiny. If it is destiny that the great
est republic Of all times shall share the
fate of the empires of the past, am
willing that the Republican party shall
have all the glory. 1 would rather have
the fusion forces go down to eternal
defeat than have them aid in the repeal
of the Declaration of independence"
Mr. Bryan had only five hours sleep
Saturday night. His first stop Satur-
day morning was in Superior, at 1870
o'clock. The road along the railroad
track for many miles out of town was
one long procession of wagons and car
riages. all headed for Superior. After
a hasty breakfast the party was es-
cOrted to a stand, where Mr.. Bryan
spoke to 1,500 citizens.
In Guide Rock, Red Cloud, Indianola
and all other stopping places the same
big and enthusiastic crowds greeted the
silver leader and cheered his speeches.