Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-02-01
BRYAN AT PORTLAND.
His Welcome by Maine Dem
ocrats Is Most Cordial.
Tremendous Crowds and Great En-
thusiasm at the Meetings.
8yans Most Interesting Statement Is Ina,

t'lllSnt. in nonor William j. BRYAN
their national leader. Representatives
were present from every city in the
state and from nearly all the towns
and the enthusiasm which has beer
pent up in this State for nearly a veal
broke loose at the banquet rendered +.
Mr.. Bryan at City hall by the Maine
Democratic Club. This was the crown.
ing feature of a busy day.
Col. Bryan. with Congressman Lent5
u ONO. and EX-Gov. John p. Altgeld
u Illinois, left Boston. early this
morning. and each spoke at a mass
meeting held in the city hall at Law
"erce at noon. That city was left be-
llnd at o'clock. and at Haverhill. Mr.
brNan appeared on the rear platform
u the car and made short speech Il
about 1000 persons. He was presented
With large bouquet Of roses ana
mock hands with most Of those in his
immediate vicinity.
At Dover. there was a large crowd
who We're INDUCED to the extent. of a
title hand shaking. but from this point
mere was nothing of especial interest
lIonS the journey. Portland was reach
81 at . o'clock, and the members of
ne party taken to the Hotel Falmouth
After short rest Mr.. Bryan was ten
Tered reception in the council cham
Der of the City hall. at which over 20O0
people were present. Following this
was the banquet in the larger hall
above Four hundred covers We're
aid and the balconies We're filled with
spectators, the majority being ladies.
The decOra tons We're very simple.
Col Frederick W. Flaisted Of Augusta,
presided at the postprandial exercises
md brought forth a storm of applause at
the mention OF Mr.. Bryan's name. The
speaking began at o'clock and as there
was another big meeting at the Audito-
rum. the three chief speakers were taken
in turn from one meeting to the other
kN-GoV. AltSed, who was the first
speaker at City hall. after reviewing the
issues Of the campaign, closed by saying
hat George William Curtis said in 1857
hat slavery ruled the White House and
the social and political affairs of the ma
ion and its forces were mighty, but the
great clock in the chamber of the Al
mighty was still ticking. and in few
years after a great struggle slavery was
6illcd forever.
To-day, my friends another force has
possession of the White House. It swag-
GERS through the drawing rooms it in
iuences the editors. it speaks from the
pulpit and the future lock, very dark, but
that great clock is stiII ticking and the
time is not far off when another battle
will be fought. and | prophesy that the
result will be a. before. and not .0po. 900
men but 10,0oo. 0oo men viii be made free =
Mr. Bryan Wa the next speaker and he
was given an ovation surprising any
which ne has received at any time in
New England.
Mr.. Bryan said that when ne came
INTO the Eastern states he came among
Democrats who are such without hope
Of reward or fear Of punishment He
spoke of his visit to Bath in 1896 and
said he learned to love his colleague on
the ticket for his sterling qualities and
manly nature.
II have been well repaid" he said.
for all | have ever done The Demo
rats of Maine have not. The gcncr-
ais are always well paid. 1t is the
privates who suffer If the general
lies, he dies gloriously. If he lives he
is always we'll rewarded. but the pri-
vate. if he dies. is often buried in an
unknown grave. and if he lives. his
work is forgotten. | do not believe in
/ man who says he is not selfish.
II am selfish man. | have never
advocated anything in my life that
lid not believe to be good for my chill
lren ana my chldren's children. to the
n
.rnmcnt to BE- good because it is my
if it is bad | shall have
j endure it, defects. | have witnessed
Turing the last four years marvellous
growth in the ideas for which our
,artv stood in 1896. The Eastern DEM
,crats did not have a large share in
making that platform. but they
win have large share in max
ny the platform. which will be
uSt like the last. [ am glad
hat the. time is past when either Gold
Democrat or a Silver Democrat can lead
stray any large number of people. The
party il in better nghting
today. than it has beer for IL
-.par,tipn. 1t enters upon the campaign
# 1ooo As no party has entered a cam
,,i,-r for a generation. There is an
.,rnestnoss and enthusiasm that you
rave not before seen.
Mr. BRYAN divided the balance OF MS
1drcss into three parts and discussed IN
urn money. trusts and imperialism IN
No same manner as he did at the recent
paetinys in Providence and Boston. In
.ne,Liug of the money question ne sala
hat the proposed financial bill was one
,.bi,b turn the banking business OF TINS
.ountrv over to a syndicate of spectators
,ho will rob the people of their all.
On the silver question he said: 4 eN-
,oct to carry on the fight for free coin
% If silver at the ratio of 10 to ana
-. intend to stop there
We declared that the new definition
f the Republican party is body OF
rained athletes whose privilege 1t IS
a turn somersaults whenever their
oaders say flop They are expected
~ non from the old platform to the
,av which favors banking system
nd an elastic currency, with both enus
r. The elastic held by the banks. The
lien Will 1rtN