The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-10-03
MY FIRST MEETING WITH BRYAN

by A. P. Taylor.)


Hills would certainly be Heights in
comparison to those Of Fredericksburg
Close by I heard the noisy thump,
thump, as carpenters raised the plat
form from which Mr.. Bryan was TO
make his speech that day. BY the
time The sun was well up. the platform
was ready and II was then draped with
the national colors. It was an ideal
spot fer speechmaking. but 1t suggest
ed more rendezvous for q picnic as
before noon the farmers came into
Fredericksburg from miles around and
their vehicles dotted the Heights in
every direction. Near at hand was an
old cemetery. the majority OF whose
tombstones were almost undeciphera-
BILE with age. The inscriptions on some
had all but disappeared and on others
the dates showed that the remains be
meath the sod had been laid away long
before the Revolution But most con-
spieuous OF all monuments was the
shaft erected TO the memory Of the
mother OF the nations first president
Mary Washington
On returning to the little tavern
where 7 had put up the night before.
and where candles still prevailed for
illuminating the rooms. I found the
Fredericksburg Democratic and Silver
reception committees making ready to
meet the chieftain- The committees
wore huge rosettes of red, white and
blue ribbons. It was a motley gath
ering, but very enthusiastic one AS
the train rolled into the depot from
the South great cheer went up from
the crowd as Bryan stepped from the
train. With him were some prominent
Democrats who had gone from Wash
ington 10 Richmond TO escort the lead
er up through the state. Bryan was
taken to carriage and was slowly
driven 10 the tavern, saluted all the
way By an admirtng populace, for
Fredericksburg was very clearly a
Democratic bailiwick
After Mr.. Bryan had rested and par
taken OF refreshment. the procession |
was reformed. and headed by a band, |
Bryan was escorted 10 the Heights" |
where for more than an hour he spoke. |
Almost within the shadow of the |
Mary Washington monument. Bryan |
made a speech that day which was one
Of his grandest oratoricaI efforts, for |
he took his theme from that monument |
and the woman to whom it was dedi- |
GATED, and his address was one of the
finest tributes womankind has ever /
had made 10 il.
The crowd listened with rapt at
Dention to the speaker, for he is mag
netic and brilliant in his delivery. and
MS voice, keen. clear-cut and reson-
ant, could be heard distinctly to the
asst row Of auditors His tribute to
he mother Of Washington touched the
and as ne completed his
splendid address, the people broke into
prolonged cheering.
Shortly after noon the party board
d the train for Washington Mr.. Bryan
y - &C. III anu -AS LSSt-4 On Lie
rain until the national capital was
cached, conversing very briefly with
hose about him The strain upon his
-oice had been great and he was care
II that he did not become hoarse as
le was about to face tremendous au-
fences Al y-ashington, Baltimore and
Sew York city. On reaching Wash
nguon the party was driven 10 the
National Hotel where a special dinner
-as served in honor Of Mr.. Bryan. the
pint committee sitting with him :
here was little speechmaking at the ;
inner and few toasts. and only the +
lner man was sought 10 be satisfied T