Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-07-11


the hall. He went to the platform, and
had an animated conversation with MT
Williams. Mr.. Bryan's speech was less
sensational than expected. 1t was devo',
ed chiefly to saying what he had asked
for in the resolutions committee ana "a
a history of the gold plank. One OF III,
paragraphs was al have heard it said
that The candidate was manly in declar.
ing his position to the convention. say
il would have been manlier had he de.
clared it before the convention. Ifyou
think the gold standard is right, why moi
say so in your platform and brayely LEI
the people know just how you stand?''
The crowd kept quiet until Bryan
said he had in committee asked Hill II
he knew how Judge Parker stood on the
gold platform, and Hill had said he did
not. al tell you" shouted Bryan, eff
you send the telegram to the nominee
you indorse the gold standard and il
you indorse it why do you not be manly
and declare. in your platform that the
currency question is settled and is not
an issue in the campaign. Bryan said
he had insisted for months that Parker
ought not to allow the convention to 60
ahead blindfolded. "By this telegram, "
he declared, "parker has shown himself
to be gold.standard man, but that is
only what was to be inferred from his
continued silence" If a gold-standard
plank was to be offered, Mr.. Bryan said
be wanted to offer one on asset cur
rency.
Senator Daniel and James B. Weaver
then came forward and told how the
work in the platform had been done.
Among the delegates in the meanwhile
much missionary work was being done.
The North Carolina delegation held an
informal meeting and decided to stand
by Parker, and, if need be, to put a gold
plank in the platform. Georgia's dele
CATION took a similar stand. The tide
was plainly turning, and praise for Par
ker's courage was heard. Ex-Assistant
Secretary Charles S. Hamlin brought
out great applause when he commended
Parker's frankness. "That," said he,
sis the kind of courage we want in the
next President of the United States"
Senator Carmack said he had never re-
ceiyed telegram from Parker, notwith-
standing the newspaper publication, and
then Bryan had another time. 81 want
you to believe" said he, ''that l did
everything l could in the resolutions
committee to promote harmony, and if
there is discord in this convention it
cannot be laid at my door"
Mr.. Bryan proposed to amend the re-
ply TO Parker so as to ascertain his views
about increasing the volume of silver
dollars, and in other currency questions.
His amendment was as follows: "But
AS you will, if elected, be called upon to
act upon certain phases of the money
question, we would like to know whether
you favor reducing the volume of silver
dollars; whether you favor an asset cur
rency and branch national banks;
whether you prefer national bank cur
rency to United States notes."
Sjme Impotence was shown at this by
the delegates. Mr.. Bryan further ex-
planned how the planks we're framed.
He and Senator Carmack had tilt as to
what had been done.
Bryan spoke in plainest terms, and
Representative Williams answered him
using the plainest words in reply, "He
talked much about harmony" said Mr..
Williams, "but the only note of discord
in this convention has come from him. "
he called Bryan's amendment ga lot of
foolish questions abouta lot of sill
ly things" Mr.. Williams spoke of the
ease with which a man of sounding voice
and deep chest could chain an audience,
and characterized. Bryan in severe terms.
Both sides settled down to fight it out 20
the last ditch, and by O'Clock it was be-
ieved that the debate might be contin-
ued we'll along toward morning. Every
one was exhausted by the previous nights
session, but the ranks OF the oniOokers
were not thinned.
Bryan finally aroused wild enthusiasm
by Withdrawing his amendment, which
matters. "My delegation" said
he, sis going to vote for New York's
candidate for President. | want to
win. We are not going to do anything
that will hinder victory"
The opposition collapsed with that
statement 1t had become plain that Mr..
Bryan was beaten as the result of the
sensational convention period, and his
action was not only timely, but discreet.
Senator Daniel said he could not agree with
Bryan that Parker should have spoken on
the money question before the convention.
lie declared Parker's telegram made him
1t was an utterance from the heart
and the American utterance from q just
Judge II was an utterance from the heart,
and the American people would say Of him,
6 Behold a man, true man !" The Vir-
ginian declared the gold standard was the
Law of the land, and said he had pleaded for
a declaration in its favor in the democratic
platform. He hoped the convention would
send the proposed telegram to Parker.
Hardly less remarkable than the sudden
ness of the rage at Parker earlier in the day
was the change of sentiment effected by the
debate which ran past midnight. Bryan,
who spoke twice, was sharply criticised by
Senator Carmack and Mr.. Sharp Williams.
Mr.. Bryan sprang to his feet and declared
that his delegation was going to support the
that New York wanted for vice
president, and if it would conduce to har-
mony he would withdraw his amendment to
the reply.
81 am going to withdraw this amendment"
said Mr.. Bryan. "Our delegation will vote
for the candidate for vice president that New
York wants. We are not going to do one
thing 10 mar the harmony of the convention"
A roar of applause followed the announce
ment. After some debate a roll-call was
ordered on the question of the adoption of
q