The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1900-07-21
DAVIS A DEMOCRAT NOW

support with you william Jennings
Bryan" 49,.
with these words Webster Davis
Joined the Democratic party.
His declaration was made In the
Kansas City convention hall In tho
presence of 20, 900 people.
He was given an ovation second
only to that which greeted the pre-
sentation Of the name OF William Jen-
nings Bryan for president.
The delegates became fairly deifr-
ious with 10y when In tones Of tri-
umph, as though he had fought bat
tie within himself and won. he ex-
claimed:
81 stand upon this platform and
support with you William Jennings
Bryan"
Missouri started the demonstration.
Her guidon was raised high and be-
meath It such stalwarts as William J.
Stone. Dave Ball. John A. Knott
Thomas T. Crittenden. Jr., Ed. Butler
and John A. Carroll gathered. They
gave an old-time Missouri yell. ana
then the demonstration began. Ban
ners were hurled from side to side.
flags by the thousand fluttered, 2O.OOO
people cheered and cheered ana
cheered. The band also Joined In IL
played America" and the people VINO
had tired of cheering Joined In singing
the grand old patriotic hymn MIS-
souri's guidon was rushed from one
end OF the arena to the other. II was
followed by the guidon OF every other
delegation. Prince David OF HAWAII
became as excited as his American
brethren. He shouted. he cheered, and
no doubt cried, so great was his en-
thusiasIl.
The demonstration continued for five
minutes.
II was revived q moment later when.
with a great burst of feeling, he ex-
claimed:
The masses OF the American people
stand for the blessed idea OF liberty.
justice and equality Of rights"
This time the delegates rose to their
feet in a mass. There was not lag
gard to be seen. All frantically waved
flags and shouted until their voices re-
belled.
This time the band played Dixie"
The spectators apparently became as
frenzied as the delegates. Among the
latter Richard Croker was conspicuous
First he waved his flag. Then he
clapped his hands together. and finally
he shouted and cheered Justify.
Throughout the demonstrations Mis-
souri's gifted son stood like a statue
although his eyes flashed and the
sively. Once he raised his hands in
an attitude Of supplication. bowling his
head in unison with the gesture.
Then came the magnificent perora-
ton. Again the convention went wild.
The Missouri delegation rushed to the
platform and at its steps waited for
him. The great men Of the Democrat
Ing him into the fold. He was finally |
pulled away from them and to the |
arena he was hurried. Hon. William |
]. Stone. hissouri's greatest Demo-
crat, seized him in his arms. well |
done. my boy. well done!" he ex-
claimed, his voice filed with emotion |
God bless you!"
Tears coursed from Mr.. Davis eyes
and down his cheeks.
Another delegate pinned a Missouri |
delegates badge upon his coat.
Again q great cheer went up. The
danced about like Conan
ches on the war path. The band struck
up The Star-Spangled Banner" and
10000 people Joined In singing the
apostrophe to liberty.
Then the Missouri delegation, with
Mr.. Davis in the van, headed a process
sion. Up and down the arena they
to the music alternately OF
The Stars and Stripes Forever" and
Dixie"
At last nature demanded a rest, and
Is the last exultant cheer died away
Webster Davis sank into a chair in
he space reserved for the Missouri del
,gation.
"A Democrat at last" he said. That
platform is good enough and strong
enough for any true American to