Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-08-04
THE St. LOUIS CONVENTION

Mr.. EDITOR: Since the ST. Louis conven-
tion a great deal has been said about this
man controlling and that man controlling,
and so on, when as a matter of fact, no
particular man seemed to be in control.
The majority Of those present seemed to
have at heart the interests of the country
and the great Democratic party. The word
uictory seemed to stand out bolder and
stronger than any individual. The great
party leaders as they made their appear
ance in the auditorium received hearty ap-
plause, which soon died away, and the vast
assembly would settle down and eagerly
watch and listen to the proceedings,
anxiously awaiting the outcome.
The writer of this article having been
fortunate enough to be present during the
all-night session at which Judge Parker
] was nominated, has since, on more than one
occasion, been asked whether it is so that
VIM J. Bryan was turned down by his
party at st. Louis. AS some of my in
duirers are admirers of the Nebraska states
man, I have concluded to answer through
the official organ of the Democratic party
of Gloucester county.
The papers, especially the Republican
papers, have, for the purpose Of misleading
the followers Of the great Nebraskian, made
it appear that he was given the cold should
er, and made political martyr. Let me
say that if the treatment Bryan received
was martyrdom there are scores of people
in this county who would be willing to
thus suffer.
While it is true that the majority of the
delegates were opposed to his views and
especially were they opposed to him because
they were instructed by their State conven-
tions, yet in their hearts they sympathized
with the modern Henry Clay. No con-
quering hero ever received a greater ovation
than did the swarthy Nebraskan when he
entered the hall and later ON mounted the
rostrum on that memorable night. Strong
men and weak women, Democrats and Re-
publicans alike, went frantic at the mention
of his name. No other man in the vast
gathering received so much attention, and
no other name received so much applause,
as the western orator, who twice made such
a gallant fight against such great odds.
All night long speeches were being made
for the different candidates. The people
were becoming uneasy Such men as Sena-
tor Carmack, Mayor Rose, of Milwaukee;
Clarence Darrow, the noted lawyer, and
Others of equal note, appeared before the
limelight and endeavored to impress the
wornout audience; at times they seemed to
be talking to mutes, as no response seemed
to meet their telling points, until they
reached the point where they described how
they had worked for the election OF the
great leader Of the Platte, then at the men
tion Of the magic name OF Bryan, wave
of enthusiasm seemed to burst forth and
sweep over the vast assemblage Fin
rays of daylight came fitting through the
windows, and when the vast multitude were
yawning and some through fatigue had act
ually fallen asleep, dark figure appeared
upon the rostrum. The name Bryan was
called out, and in an instant, as though a
magazine had been exploded, thousands
jumping, waving hats, flags anything con
venient, it was probably ten or fifteen min
utes before quietness reigned.
Then was begun one of the most remark
able of speeches by one of the most remark
able men of modern times haye listened
to James G. Blaine, David Hastings, Robert
G. Ingersoll and other noted orators, yet
nothing I have heard or seen has impressed
me as did VIM. ]. Bryan on that now his
torical morning Of July 8. It was not only
what he said but the way he said it. A
Republican sat next to me and after hear
ing him said u voted against Bryan both
times he ran, do not agree with him on
some things yet, but | believe he is the
greatest man ever saw or heard, and be-
lieve he is the greatest man in the Demo-
cratic, or any other party Such express
sions were heard on the streets, and it was
evident that while the delegates we're
opposed to him, as they believed it, poll
tical necessity, at the same tinA he was the
idol of the vast audience, as he is the idol
of the majority of the Democrats Of the
country Such man as he must surely
come TO the front again. He has advised
all Democrats, to vote for our candidate,
Judge Parker, as he has promised to do.
Therefore, no follower Of Bryan can have a
reasonable excuse for not voting the ticket
that is headed by such a bold and straight
forward Democrat, as our standard bearer,
and the next President of the United
Y States Judge Alton 2. Parker.