The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-02-13
Bryan visits burlington.

William Jennings Bryan was there, and
the entire city turned out to do him
homage. The fact that the day was a
rainy, disagreeable one did not prevent a
large turnout. The meeting which was
addressed by Mr. Bryan was held in Riggs
Hall. There were at least 5000 people
there. Perhaps one-third were Repub-
licans.
! Prior to the meeting there was ban
quet at Beldin's hotel, at which about one
hundred of Mr. Bryan's admirers sat, at
So per plate. While there were great
many who responded to the invitation to
eat, drink and be merry, it was noticeable
that lots of fellows who are willing to
sing the praises of their pet to the top
note were not willing to sing them to the
extent of S. note.
At 2 o'clock the Metropolitan band
played s'Hail to the Chief" and the great
statesman, attended by the banqueters,
entered the hall. That his reception was
rousing one is not to be denied. The So
per head included a seat on the platform
with the speaker. There was a rush for
this position and among the first to gain
chair in the front row was Samuel
Chaffey, the brilliant young Northamp-
ton politician. Picking from his teeth
the fragments of the banquet he
gazed at Sheriff Shinn in the au-
dience in manner which seemed to say
''you can throw me out of Sans office,
but you can't touch me here" Tom Cash
who was not able to do anything detri-
mental to Assemblyman Wright in the
last campaign, had chance to get square
with that gentleman who sat within two
chairs of him, and whenever the
speaker would make any hit on New
Jersey Tom would lean over and pat
Wright on the shoulder. Sam Wetherill,
while not in the front row, did not lose
any in his own estimation by being in the
rear, and looked supremacy happy, de-
spite the fact that his nearest neighbor
was Judge Wills, the chairman of the new
auditing committee of financial affairs at
| Ilc DtUtOCTCtG OllCc. ObOhCo was OA
the rear row of seats, but he was just as
much in evidence as if he was serving on
the every -other-term grand jury There
were many other notable people on the
stage, but those mentioned were of the
greatest consequence. Pardon us, We for
got Judge Forsyth, who came in after
the speaking had begun and in loud
voice demanded seat on the platform,
saying he had paid his S. and that in
cluded seat. He got it,
In the audience were several Republi-
cans and gold Democrats. cousin Dory
Gaskill sat by the side of Postmaster Hays,
both of whom appeared to thoroughly
enjoy the words of wisdom hurled from
the platform. Further away was Cashie r
Haines, over whose face passed an amused
smile when Mr.. Bryan sneerin gly said the
banking men are among the very few
business men of the country. Exon
gresham Pugh paid close attention to
the remarks from the platform Senator
Packer was not much in evide nee. J.
Frank Budd had business engagement
in New York
The meeting was called to order by
William F. Morgan. who said the speaker
would be introduced by Thomas H. Birch.
That young gentleman, who is very popu
lar in this county, was given hearty re-
ception. When the applause had ceased
III 70,
but think you will believe me when l
say it is the happiest moment of my life
to be allowed to introduce to you the
greatest American statesman, Hon. Will
liam Jennings Bryan"
Mr.. Bryan at once arose and began to
talk. He is handsome man, with smooth
face, which shows to advantage his clear
cut features and his firm mouth and chin.
He spoke clearly and forcibly. There
was not as much brilliancy as some ex-
pected, but his convincing manner held
his audience to the end. He has evident
ly been Bible student, whether to good
purpose we will not say. Many of his
most telling points were illustrated by
illusions to scripture which, to many,
appeared sacreligious.
He began by saying it would be i'm
possible in the hour allotted to him to
treat at any length the numerous questions
in which his party is interested. He
would like to have that amount of time
for each subject. He expressed his pleas
ure in the reception he had received while
on his eastern trip and said he found the
Republicans of this section more willing
| to listen than they were three years ago,
and he believed the principles he advo-
Gated then were spreading with great
rapidity. He did not appear at this meet
| ing candidate but as citizen, and he
esteemed his citizenship of greater value
than to be candidate on any ticket.
There are higher honors than holding
Office. Very few in one generation can
hold the highest position in the gift of the
government, but every citizen can lend
his aid to make the government so good
that all will be willing to die to preserve
| It's honor.
Thespeaker then alluded to the campaign
of 1896. Those who then thought the
Republicans stood for law and order were
fooled That party had been prompt to
punish petty larceny, but grand larceny
was winked at. When man stole hun
dreds, under Republican rule, nothing
could keep him out of Jail, but when the
man stole millions nothing could get him
in Jail. He said: eff the rich and poor
are to dwell together in the same heaven
hadn't they better get acquainted here
and not wait until they cross the river to
be introduced ?"
| Mr. Bryan then evidently let his mind
revert to his Chicago speech. In fact his
"reminiscences of days that are gone were
plainly discernible for he could not help
showing his feeling against President
Mckinley, Mark Hanna, gold bugs and in
fact all who aided in any way to keep him
from the goal on which he had such long
ing eyes. He used the ideas of his
Chicago speech wherein he made compar
isons between the lowly and those in higf
places. He wanted as much hope fol
those who eat in kitchens as for those who
have dining rooms and parlors; for the
carriage driver as for the rider; for the
70 nm, ar for 10 cfock m hi