The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-02-21
BRYAN 1agCEAR1EsToN.
icoET1NUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

1t is, Of course, hard to estimate the
size of crowd, especially when it is
very large one; but there could not
have been far short of 1000 people at
the Auditorium last mig ght. The seat
ing capacity of the place is known to
he $500, and it is'safe that say that
had 500 more people been put in 1t
last night standing room would have
been at premium. As it was hun:
dreds stood throughoutthe evening and
listened with the profoundest attention
to the distinguished orator.
"It should be remarked that the au-
dience was representative one IN the
fullest sense of the term. Brad street
bankers brushed elbows with laborlrg
men from uptown; the dwellers on
Legare street and the Battery were oc.
cupying front seats with mechanics aud
masons and scattered here and there
about the house we're several hundred
ladies, some of whom wore evening tol-
let's, the boxes, upstairs and down, were
filed to overfowing. It was, in WORD,
an audience which any man III the
world might have been proud to face.
The 6rss intimation that Col. Bryan
really had arrived in the city came
when the members Of the Fourth
Brigade Band marchel into the hall
and took seats inside the orchestra rail-
ing. Thinking to see Col. Bryan him
self follow, in moment thousands OF
people jumped on their chairs aud
cheered. They din continued for many
minutes in spite of the fact that there
was no specific reanson for 1t. In the
meantime Col Bryan had been escorted
to the back Of the building. The Al
derman greeted him as he stepped upon
the stage, and with scarcely moments
delay, leaning upon Mayor Smyth's
arm, he marched down the centre OF
the stage aud appeared before the peo-
pie uoder canopy formed by State
and national flag.
The roar that greeted him shook the
very Tafters. 1t rose with fierce wild
yell, but individual voices were soon
lost in a shout in which every man and
woman in the multitude seemed to join.
Men stood on chairs and waved their
hats and canes; women futtered their
handkerchief and the treble Of their
voices made distinct note iu the
chorus of sound. Some people, more
enthusiastic than others tossed their
hats in the air and actually danced ex
citedly as they applauded. This sort
of thing continued for several minutes.
The noise would subside for. a moment
and then would start again with re-
newed viger Mayor Smyth in the
meantime had seated himself with Col.
Bryan on his right, and the Alderman
had found places away to either side OF
them.
Mr. T. ". Bacot was the first to
speak, He said. Mr.. Mayor and my
fellow citizens, never mind about free
silver, but let US do what We can to get
rid Of Republican rule at all cost.
| (Applause.) So says our hero, Wade
Hampton, in an interview with the
Columbia correspondent of The News
and Courier. TO our city We have
brought to you, Mr.. Mayor, and We nov
present to you, fine patriot, daunt-
less Democrat, a manly man, in the
person Of William Jennings Bryan.
(Applause.)
Mayor Smyth then spoke as follows:
Mayor Symth said: Ladies and gen.
tie men and Col. Bryan: There need
30 words Of mine to emphasize the vel
come which Charleston now off=rs to
William Jennings Bryan This large
and enthusiastic gathering, brought
here at a moments notice, testi6es to
the sincerity with which We greet you.
Our voices unite in the welcome and
VIC say to you that Chaleston opens to
you her homes and her hearts. I now
present to yon William Jennings
Bryan. our next President. (Applause }
Col. Bryan had to stand for several
moments until the welcoming applause
was quieted. His fa.e bean,ed with
satisfaction and pleasure
81 am obliged to the Chief ESccu.
tive of the city and the Senator for the
very cordial manner in which they pre-
sented me to the good people of Charles
tor. I had not thought it possible for
me to come here, to Charleston now,
but the committee told me that by dis
appointing the Columbia people for an
afternoon reception, that l could come
here and speak, leave at midnight aud
thus have pleasure Of making two
speeches instead OF one this day. am
glad to speak to the people Of Charles
ton, and when ! excused myself from
the people of Columbia I told the peo-
pie there that if they knew Charleston
they would know that Twas more needed
here than there. l am always glad to
speak to those who are not in entire ac-
cord with me. | would rather speak TO
those who disagree with me. for ny
purpose is to convince. And l don't
know any place in the South where
there is more room for missionary work
than in Charleston. daughter |
am not nearly so much concerned In
your opinion of me as in your opinion
Of the public questions in which l am
interested. | would rather have you
reject me and take my principles than
take me instead Of matters in which the
nations welfare are involved.
Bryan then vent on to discuss the
public questions of the day in an elo-
quent speech which was enthusiastically
received by the large audience. After
the speaking ever Mr. Bryan was enter
tained at the Charleston Hotel at an
informal banquet. The last course was
reached Just in time to make hurried
exit and take the carriages for the
station. At ihe Plant System Station
there .were q number Of people
anxious to get last glimpse of Bryan.
| Aftnr hnstu hand xh akes the train WAS