Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1900-08-15
OPENING GUN IS FIRED
Democrats Start Their Campaign
with Heavy Artillery at
indianapolis.
BRYAN AND STEVENSON NOTIFIED
Streets of the City Filled with People
Along the Line of March to
Military Park.

Indianapolis, Aug. 9.-Hon. William
J. Bryan and Hon. Adlai Il. Stevenson
were yesterday in this city officially
and formally notified of their nominal
lions by the Democrats at their recent
Kansas City convention to the offices
respectively of president and vice pres
ident of the United States. The cere-
mony was made the occasion of pop
ular demonstration, and with it the
Democrats may be fairly said to have
begun their national campaign. Phe
notification occurred in the Military
park, a beautifully shaded tract of
ground in the center of the city. The
park contains probably thirty acres
Of ground. Probably majority OF
those in attendance were residents OF
Indianapolis, but many were from 9TH
err portions of Indiana. while many
also came from distant states. There
was also a quite general gathering OF
the members of the Democratic nation
al committee, while, of course, the
members of the two committees APP
pointed to make the official notification
were also present.
Day Begins with Parade.
The speaking was preceded by pa
rade through the principal streets or
the city, which was participated In by
a number of visiting and local Demo-
cratic clubs. These acted as an escort
to the notification party, and the cav
alcade was an imposing one. The meet
ing began a few minutes after p. IN.
and concluded at $40 p. IN. In this
period of time five speeches were
made, Mayor Taggart, of Indianapolis,
adding a welcoming address to the two
notification speeches OF Representa-
tive Richardson and Governor Thorn
as and the responses made by Bryan
and Stevenson.
Devotes His Speech to imperialism.
The meeting was called to order In
brief speech of welcome by Mayor
Thomas Taggart, of this city, who was
cordially and Familiarity greeted and
named Chairman Jones as president
of the meeting. Senator Jones made nc
speech upon taking the chair but con-
fined his remarks to the simple intro
duction of the speakers to the audience
Richardson, to whose lot as permanent
chairman of the national convention
fell the duty of notifying Bryan of his
nomination, made the first OF the no
tification addresses. He spoke only
fifteen minutes, because the day was
hot and the crowd impatient to heal
Bryan. Bryan's response was listened
to by the crowd attentively with ire
quent bursts of applause.
Mr.. Bryan's Promise.
Mr.. Bryan's speech in reply to thu
notification committee was devoted
entirely to the question of imperial
ism. He said, among other things:
There is an easy, honest, honorable
solution of the Philippine question. l
is set forth in the Democratic platform
and it is submitted with confidence t.
the American people. This plan / up
reservedly indorse. If elected, shal
convene congress in extraordinary ses
sion as soon as l am inaugurated, ant
recommend an immediate declaration
of the nations purpose-frst, to estab
lish stable form of government In tn
Philippine islands, just as we are nov
establishing stable form of govern
ment In the island of Cuba: second, t
give independence to the Filipino
lust as we have promised to give indie
pendence to the Cubans; third, to pro
tect the Filipinos from outside inter
ference while they work out their des
tiny, just as we have protected the re
publics of Central and South Americs
and are, by the Monroe doctrine
pledged to protect Cuba"
Stevenson Hears of His Luck.
Bryan concluded at 4:40. and wa
promptly followed by Governor G. 5
Thomas, of Colorado, who notified Ste
yenson. Thomas spoke for only te
minutes. He received very general a.
tention and was given frequent an
generous applause. Stevenson was az
parently slightly nervous as the tim
approached for him to take the stanC
but he soon gained confidence as b
proceeded. Bryan led the liberal al
plause which greeted the appearance
of his fellow candidate as he advance
to the front, and many points OF tn
speech were literally punctuated by
repetition of applause as the speec
proceeded. He read from his MANI
script. Stevenson closed at twenty mil
utes of and Senator Jones immed
ately declared the meeting adjourne