The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-03-13
HON. VIM. j. BRYAN.
Delivered His Lecture "A Conquering
Nation" TO Capacity Audience in The
Opera House Saturday Evening.


in Bloomsbulg Saturday evening. He
arrived here on the evening train
over the Delaware, Lackawanna &
Western Railroad, from Danville,
where he had gone TO attend the
obsequies of the late Hon. Rufus X.
Polk. Had the prearranged plan
been carried out, he would have been
the guest of the committee in charge
of the lecture from noon on and
Bloomsbury would have been honored
by his presence for the balance of
the day.
He came down from Scranton,
where he had lectured the previous
night, on the Penna. train due at
East Bloomsbury at 1850 and was
met at the station by the committee,
which was composed of Hon. William
T. Greasy, lion. Fred T. Ikeler, c.
A. Small Esq, John G. Harman, Esq,
Jno. c. Rutter. Jr. and John r.
Townsend. He had heard the sad
intelligence of the death of Mr.. Polk,
and being desirous of paying his re-
spects to the departed congressman,
went on through 10 Danville.
AS stated above he arrived here at
GA in the evening and was escorted
to the Exchange Hotel, where rest
less crowd was anxiously awaiting his
arrival, all eager to grasp the hand OF
the man who had been the standard
bearer OF the Democratic party in two
presidential campaigns. 1t was GER
tainly sight. Seldom, if ever be-
fore, was an individual accorded such
an ovation in Bloomsburg. The pave
ment, for the entire length of the
Hotel was in state of impasslbillty.
The motlvlty of the crowd, is almost
indescribable. He finally succeeded
in making his way through the surging
throng into the hotel. He was fatigued
and tired from the days travel and
wanted rest, but this he was com.
PEELED to forego. Acceding to the
great demand, he reappeared in the
parlor and shook hands and ex-
changed greetings until it was time to
60 to the Opera House.
1t was representative audience
that filled the Opera House. Republi-
cans and Democrats, of State fame
and official Importance, were assem-
bled together, to hear the distinguish
ed exponent of Democratic principles.
Ladies too, were present in large
numbers and their presence impaired
an added charm to the gathering.
Fred keller introduced Col. Bryan
to the audience at $40. He was
given a cordial reception as he step
ped forward.
He started by saying that there
were three reasons for his appearing
IN different places. First" That
they all voted for me and therefore |
ought to go and see them" Second
That none OF them voted for me
and that they need missionary work. y
Third" That the parties are about
equally divided and speech will ac-
complish something" The speaker
then proceeded. He touched upon
the various leading questions of the
day, in mastery manner. His
reference to the Philippine war was
especially brilliant and eloquent,
and has been the cause of setting
many who heard it to thinking. He
SAID that he believed that :he United
States can whip the Philippines, but
there is no telling how long it will
take. Spain had been at it for long
time, and realizing her inability to do
1t had sold the option on the fight to
the United States for $40,
There were many manifestations
of approval upon the conclusion oI
the lecture, and it was evident that
the speech had made many friends
He handled the subjects so well, and
explained them so lucidly that every