The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-09-04

PAA'iiSSe VI Sfcl 1icctlIS SIailce az
the distinguished visitor. The inter-
ior of the Garden was waving sea
Of color. Every person in the audi
ence had been provided with minia-
ture American flag, and every cheer
from 10000 throats was accentuated
by the waving Of 10000 tiny staffs
bearing the Stars and Stripes.
When Mr.. Bryan entered the hall
the proceedings, which already had
begun, were brought to a temporary
pause while for eight minutes volley
after volley Of thundcrous cheer roll
cd through the great building. When
Chairman Tom i. johnson, in his in
PRODUCTION Of Mr.. Bryan, referred to
the guest Of the evening as "the first
citizen if not the first official Of the
land-not yet the first official" and
Mr.. Bryan rose, the great gathering
broke out in unrestrainad cheering,
while the band played "Hail to the
Chief.'
So touched was Mr.. Bryan by the
welcome that, as he stood waiting for
the cheers to subside, his eyes filled
with tears and he strobe nervously
from side to side Of the narrow plat
form.
"How can I thank you for this
welcome home 2" he said.
"My heart would be ungratefut if
it did not consecratc itself to your
service. 1t was kind to prepare this
reception. It was kind Of Governor
Folk to come here all the way from
Missouri. Tt was kind Of Tom john
son.. that example of the moral cour-
age we so much need in this country,
to lend his presence here.
cit was kind in you to fully recon-
pense ME in being absent SO long from
my native land. 7 thank you. I re-
turn to the land Of my birth more
proud Of my citizenship than ever be-
fore. -
The doors of Madison Square Gar
den were opened at $50 O'Clock, and
by this time there were hundreds Of
ticket holders present clamoring for
admittancc. Police lines had been
formed three blocks from the Gar
den entrances. In this way the ear
, " comcrs we're well handled.
The immense auditorium, with its
tiers of balconies and galleries rising
up to the height Of the great glass
covered roof, began to fill up 50 quick
ly that The ushcrs and policemen on
hand had difficulty in adhering to the
seating arrangements. 1t was gay
spirited. biy-naturcd audience. which
had a cheer on the tongue for every
one. AS the crowd continued to gath
er the cheers in volume. The "Ne-
braska, Bryan's home folks" arriv-
ed in body, and were given seats
just back Of the speaks stand.
The hall was devoid of decoration
other than the bunting and flags plac-
ed about the temporary stage.
During the interval before the meet
ing was called to order a band play
ed merrily. Such tunes as "Mary-
land" "My Old Kentucky Home," "
"Way Down Upon the Suwanee Riv-
err and other melodies of the South
called forth tumultuous applause, but
when the first strains of "Dixie'
were sounded the thousands Of Bryan
welcomes were on their feet in an
instant, and the cheers drowned the
band for time.
AS each notable Democratic visitor
entered the hall and was recognized
his name was called and the cheering
was renewed.
Twelve thousand persons, many of
them women, were seated by 7 P. NJ,
and an hour later not vancant seat
was to be seen.
At 8 O'Clock, when Mr.. Bryan had
not yet arrived, Harry w. Walker,
on behalf of the Commercial Travel
lers' Antitrust Leage( called the as
semblage to order.
Governor Folk was given an ovation
and it was several minutes before he
could speak. When he finally secured
silence he asked the audience to be as
quite as possible, otherwise none Of the
speakers, not even Mr.. Bryan him
self could be heard. The mention Of
Mr.. Bryan s name called forth renew
ed cheering. Then when quiet had
been restored Governor Folk proceed
ed.