The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-14
AND CHEERED THE LEADER
SHORT SPEECHES TO HUNDREDS
THAT WOULD NOT BE
DENIED.
A RoUSlNG RECEPTION AT HENDERSON
Where Mr.. Bryan's Party Stopped For Dinner
Speeches to the Girls al Warren Plains
and the Boys at Wake For
est College.

At Richmond. Col Benehan Cameron
met the North Carolina committee where
he had engaged rooms ut the jefferson.
Col. Cameron's courtesies gave the party
many pleasures. He istwell known here
and as highly esteemed as in North Caro-
lima where we all know there is no trucr
hearted gentleman and no sounder and
more devoted Democrat. The committee
that came to Richmond to meet Mr.. Bry-
an was composed of Mayor a. NJ Pow
ell, state Chairman Simmons, Capt. $.
y. Ashe. State Senator Travis. chairman
of State Reception committee, II. :.
Leard and .Iosephus Daniels, member of
the National committee.
II was then near midnight and Mr..
Bryan who was the guest of Governor
Tyler. left word that he would be ready
10 leave at > O'Clock Tuesday morning.
1t was the pleasure Of the committee to
meet some members of the Legislature
and others who had attended the recep-
ton given 10 Bryan at the jefferson. III
is a distinguished body. said to be one
Of the ableSt Legislatures that have met
IN Richmond in years. Ii has had much
important legislation before it and will
be in session until March. The bill to
permit the Seaboard Air Line 10 build
Il new road to Washington is now pend
ing and there is great fight over it, the
owners of the X. +. d r.. having long
enjoyed the only road to Washington
from Richmond are averse to having :,
competitor.
Richmond gave Bryan great ovation.
He spoke by invitation or the Legislature
10 great assembly of the first men OF
zhe State. 1t was NY pleasure TO hear
him speak from the portico of the .Ieffer
son in the campaigns of 1896. and III all
the wonderful meetings Of that wonder
ful campaign. there was no scene more
fixed on my memory than the great mul.
titude Of men and women who stood be-
low in the moonlit streets. Just back
of the speakers. in the hotel, stood Val
entine's statute of .Iefferson--ai piece of
Statuary men might make Il visit to
Richmond to look upon. After Bryan,
had charmed the multitude. they would
take no refusal from Senator Daniel. He
spoke as never before and | never ex-
pect to hear mortal man speak more elo-
duently and more grandly than the Vir.
ginia Senator. Bryan and Daniel
Match them anywhere in the world II
you can. Before beginning his speech.
Senator Daniel paid Mr. Bryan tbs
handsomest tribute the NebraS kan has
ever received. He called him the second
Jefferson, and thrilled the people by say
ing. that as Bryan spoke. his own eyes
rested upon The statute Of jefferson. re
splendent in the light that fell upon ii. l
almost lost myself" said the Senator
III IL, 80
founder of the Democratic party, and
heard the music Of Mr. Bryan's voice. /
thought that the statue had been en-
dued with life. and that Jefferson wa
again calling the people to a confess
against special privilege OF course
these We're not his words--I cannot quote
ihen-I can only remember the thrii!
which bound me and all who heard
They tell me that Bryan is stronger
far stronger--in Virginia than ever be
fore. His reception here was an ovation.
Bright and early Tuesday morning the
committee was M and shortly before
nine drove to Governor Tyler's residence
to take Mr.. Bryan TO the train. Mem
hers Of the General Assembly and of the
Governors staff were on hand to sec
him off. and Vice-President st. Johns
private car. generously placed at tht
committees disposal. Was entered an,
we were off through the historic ground
over almost every foot of which Lees
army had traversed Mayor Powell, who
as a boy soldier had tramped about
Richmond and Petersburg, saw many
fimliar sights. As we BOWED along on
the elegant vestibuic train and Mayor
Powell was telling how he tramped here
and slept there, | said Mayor, there II
some difference between the way You
traversed along this section then and
now'--and nothing could tell more the
change in the last quarter of Il cen
fury.
1t was Il pleasant morning. Mr.. Bryan
was in fine spirits and talked upon the
great public questions with great inter-
est He is as charming in private CONVEX
aation'-or more so-than In his public
speeches. We talked of the new policy
Of imperialism and its injurious effects
upon our Liberty ut home as we'll rs
upon its destruction OF the Fundamental
principles upon which cur government is
founded. His opposition to imperialism
is religion. He believes that it would
destroy liberty-that it would injure our
trade-and put militarism in the place
of free government Mr. Bryan is con-
iident that upon the question of militar-
ism the Democrats will win thousands
Of votes, in all parts of the North and
that the trust and money question will
gain many thousands more. He has no
doubt that the imperiaiistic policy viii
be repudiated and gives reasons for the
faith that is in him.