Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-13
yyNf. JENNINGS BRYAN.

Him
The Springfield RepublicAn,under the
caption, Bryan in Massachusetts,
has the following to say edttorially
Four years ago, when William J.
Bryan was here as n Presidential can
didate, in the fall of 1896, an enormous
crowd heard him in Court Square. But
it was thought that yesterday he would
have comparatively a small audience.
There was some reason for believing
SO. The excitement OF the political
campaign is not yet on us, and he was
not present this time as the acknowl-
edged representative of n party. More
over, the meeting came at an awkward
time In the afternoon, and with q GER
tain Indebtedness as to keep away
many people. AS matter of fact,
however, there was q great gathering
in City Hall to hear MIN, and it heard
him to tho end. For an hour and 20
minutes the eyes of the crowd were
fixed closely OH the figure on the plat
form--:l middle-s sized, rather neshy
man, in an absurdly Western, black
cutaway suit, buggy trousers. coat
wrinkied with travelling, an odd low
vest, with white studs In the eXpanse
OF shirt front. Il very low collar, and
the black string tie of the Western
country lawyer. No man could owe
less to the articles of the tailor. and
his oratory and his manner are rs sim
pie as his clothes. He is Il cunning
and accomplished orator, to be sure.
but his strength is In his simplicity and
his sincerity; his smiles, his language
and his thoughts are simple and direct,
and on this foundation, he builds
speech that is masterful and impress
sive. His audience yesterday, notwith-
standing his appeal to Republicans
who might be lurking in the hall, was
largely composed of sympathizing
Democrats. But even from this stand
point his success in engaging it's at
tentlon and enthusiasm 10 the end was
remar kable. Few speeches ever given
in City Hall have held an audience for
so long n time, with practically no de-
serters, or secured such n unanimous
verdict of approval from the crowd
leaving the building at the close OF the
meeting
Account for 1t as you will, depreciate
this man as you please, he appeals to
the masses and they hear him gladly.
No one can watch his progress through
New England without recognizing that
Col Bryan is very much in the thought
of the voters. 1t was interesting to
'DeG iOt'y manly olS
who have been repealed by the doctrine
OF 16 to are coming around, and in
fact did what they had vowed never to
do-givc aid and countenance to Bryan.
They are impelled to this by causes
outside of Col. Bryan, the new depar-
lures and dangers which the embrace
ing Of Imperialism in Washington have
preclpitated. The defense of liberty
as vital to the United States, was the
portion of Mr. Bryan's speech that
evoked the w0rmest applause. What
has come to be known under the word
lIannalsm is also playing its part At
begin 10 think" writes a New York
editor unfriendly to Bryan, chat Ha-
mn is going to elect this Nebrasknn
President of the United States" In
any event the man who spoke to
Springfield yesterday is displaying
qualities such as the country has not
! seen for years in n minority personals
ty, in that he is in close, magnetic
touch with the common run OF people
Mr.. Bryan has assured President Nc
Kinley that great crowds do not al
ways mean Endorsement OF the man
the people turn out to see. But it will
at least be admitted that it is remark
able for q man not in Office to com
mand popular attention in the way
yesterdays orator is doing. To paral-
lei ii we must go back long years to
find the man.