The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-09-28
BRYAN GIVEN
GREAT WELCOME
RYMAN AUDITORIUM PACKED TO
THE POINT OF sUFFocATIoN.
Pays His Respects to Recent Visit of
Secretary Shaw-After Two Years
Consideration of Railroad Owner
ship, Believes Country Must Accept
II.


II.
The Nashville American has the fol-
lowing to say of William Jennings Bry-
ans visit to Nashville:
AN audience of 5000 people at the
Ryman Auditorium yelled itself
hoarse Tuesday night in welcome to
William Jennings Bryan. There new
er gathered larger audience within
the capacious Auditorium than assem-
bled there to testify to the fact that
in the ten years that have passed since
the great silver campaign Bryan has
lost none of his wonderful hold upon
the people of this State, and that
their confidence in his integrity is no
less manifest now than it has been in
the past.
That Mr.. Bryan is a more popular
man in this State today than he was
during the strenuous days of the free
silver fight was attested Tuesday
night by the fact that there were a
large number of prominent citizens in
the audience who heartily approved
the sentiments that he uttered, who
in the campaign of 1895 were among
his most implacable opponents. The
audience was unquestionably one OF
the largest that ever packed the Aud
itorium. 1t was also as representative
an assemblage of the citizenship of
the State as ever convened within its
confines.
THAT the enormous crowd which
assembled Tuesday night to hear Mr..
Bryan, and to cheer the message
which he brought them, was over
in sympathy with the SEN
timents of the the speaker was made
manifest time and again. On the
question of Government ownership
of railroads the enthusiasm was less
noticeable than it was when Mr.. Bry-
an was discussing other subjects. but
the magic of his matchless eloquence
was felt even on the new and untried
Of Government ownership,
and thousands cheered his declara-
tons on this question, who, doubtless,
in calmer moments, would hesitate
to vote for the change.
Every seat in the auditorium was
taken within half hour after the
loors were opened and 1t was then
simply a question of how much hui
manity could be packed and damned
into the aisles, the windows and the
open spaces around the walls. Soon
Ill the passageways on the west side
If the building, both down stairs and
n the galleries, we're completely pack
I'd. Although a cool night the build
ng was crowded to suffocation and
ong before Mr.. Bryan concluded his
speech the heat was intense.
Every seat on the stage was TAX
n, many being occupied by the prom
nent Democratic leaders of the State,
including Gov Cox. Senator Frazier,
,x-Gov. Taylor, nominee for the Sen
tie, and large number of lesser par
y lights, in GLIDING ex-Governors,
members of Congress, the Legislature
nd the judiciary.
Although the crowd waited from
80 o'clock until nearly $3.50 before
ar. Bryan appeared, the best of tenn
,er was shown and little impotence
vas manifested. During the wait the
rowd was entertained by short adj
resses from a number of local speak
RS and also by music by Broadbent's
and and by instrumental selections
y Prof, Edouard .Hesselberg. There
vas an unusually large per cent. of
aides In the audience, all Of whom
lept themselves busy plying their
ans. The men were occupied in
hopping the perspiration from their
rows and in attempting to create a
REGULATION by improvised fans.
"That Mr.. Bryan was pleased with
he whole-hearted reception which he
eceived was manifested by the smile
hitch enveloped his face when he
ntered the hall, and again when he
Dse to speak. The demonstration
hen Mr.. Bryan appeared lasted two
linutes, and in volume was probably
ne greatest ever witnessed at a po-
tical gathering in Nashville. APP
arently every person in the house
,ined in tribute to the great Common
:. Handkerchief, umbrellas, fans,
ats, and. in some instances, coats.
ere waved, while the audience rose
Imost as one person to yell itself
orase with joy This demonstration
as repeated when Mr.. Bryan was