The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-09-14


the Southland for the first time fol
two years, William Jennings Bryan re
ceived welcome which, in warmth
and spontaniety, has not been sur
passed by any of the greetings given
him since his return from his tour OF
the world. His arrival in the city
provoked great outburst of acclama.
ton from thousands of marchers and
yet more thousands on the streets.
His reception at the Armory tonight,
/ where he addressed a crowd of 10000
people, was nothing less than a vol
canic eruption of enthusiasm.
The mass-meeting at the Armory
constituted Kentucky's greeting on be-
half of the South, and although the
attendance of Southern notables was
smaller than at first expected, on &C.
count of Mr.. Bryan's recent, accep-
tances of numerous invitations from
other Southern cities, still it was a
representative Southern gathering,
graced by the Kentucky leaders of De-
mocracy, a number of prominent Dem
ocrats from other Southern States,
and a great mass of citizens from
Kentucky and Indiana.
Mr.. Bryan was welcomed to Ken
lucky by his whilom opponent Henry
Watterson. who presided over the
meeting. The other speakers proceed,
ing Mr.. Bryan was Senator Carmack,
of Tennessee, representing the South,
and Senator w. j. Stone, of Missouri,
who introduced the guest of honor.
When Mr.. Bryan entered the hall
with Mr.. Watterson there was a DEM
onstration that lasted ten minutes,
thousands of flags being waved in unf-
son with the surges of cheers that
swept over the throng.
Watterson's Welcome.
AS soon as the noise has subsidized
Mr.. Watterson began his address of
welcome.
the pent-up enthusiasm almost at the.
start, and when at the close ne point
ed to Mr.. Bryan and said: Here he
is: God bless him and give him wis
DOM" the audience yelled for FIVE min
utes.
carmack, Of Tennessee.
Mr.. Watterson finally commanded ST.
lence long enough to introduce Sena-
tor Carmack, of Tennessee.
Senator Carmack was followed by
Senator w. ]. Stone, of Missouri, who,
in few words, introduced Mr. Bryan.
The demonstration that greeted Mr..
Bryan on his entrance to the hall was
renewed as the Nebraskan arose to
speak.
Mr.. Bryan prefaced his remarks by
making the following statement in re-
gard to his Government Ownership of
Railroads idea:
I'm my speech at the New York re-
,eption, made some remarks concern
ng Government Ownership OF rail-
vays. The New York |
speech was prepared in advance.
} I stated exactly what
wanted to state, and have nothing to
withdraw or modify.
"If you ask me whether the question
4 Government ownership will be an
ssue in the campaign Of 1908, an
wer. | do not know. If you ask me
whether it ought to be in the plat
orm, reply l cannot tell until know
What the Democratic voters think up
n the subject. If the Democrats be-
ieve that the next platform should
ontain a plank in favor of Govern
nent ownership, then that plank ought
o be included If the Democrats
hink It ought not to contain such
lank. then the plank ought not to be
Included. / have spoken
Or myself and myself only, and I did
OF know how the suggestion would
e received. I am now prepared to
onfess to you that it has been re-
eived more favorably than l ex-
ected.
There is this that 1 do expect,
amely, that those Democrats who OPP
ose Government ownership will ac- ;
ompany their declaration against. 1t
18th the assertion that they will favor ;
overnment ownership whenever they !
re convinced that the country must {
noose between Government owner {
hip of the roads and railroad owner ]
hin of the Government [
81 still advocate strict regulations, {
nd shall rejoice if experience proves I
lat the regulation can be made eff l
ective. / will go farther than that 4
nd say that I believe We can have /
ore efficient regulation under Dem
cratic Administration, with Demo {
.atic Senate and House than we are
n 4 i