The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1906-09-21
OLD KENTUCKY
GREETS BRYAN
Great Throng Gathered In Louis
vile to Extend Welcome.
WATTERSON MAKES A HIT
Bryan Puts Himself Right as Regards
Government Ownership by Saying
Question is With Voters.


time in two years, MIR. Bryan Wednes-
day received a welcome in Louisville
which in warmth 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 a great outburst of acclama,
lions from thousands of marchers and
yet more thousands on the streets.
His reception at the armory at night,
where he addressed a crowd of 10000
people, was nothing less than q vol.
canio eruption OF enthusiasm.
The mass meeting at the armory
constituted Kentucky's greeting on
behalf OF the south Mr.. Bryan was
welcomed by his whilom opponent,
Henry Watterson, who presided over
the meeting. The other speakers pre-
ceding Mr.. Bryan were Senator Car
mack Of Tennessee. representing the
south. and Senator w. j. Stone Of
Missouri, who introduced the guest
OF honor
When Bryan entered the hall lean.
ing on the arm of Mr.. Watterson,
there was demonstration which last.
cd ten minutes, thousands of flags
being waved in union with the surges
of cheers that swept over the throng
AS soon as the noise had subsidized
Mr. Watterson began his address Of
welcome
Mr. Watterson said In part:
81 recognize as our chieftaln in this
approaching conflict the Hon. William
Jennings Bryan Of Nebraska.
I'VE purpose to reform, not to rev.
olutioniae the government We pur-
pose to re-establish democratic instl-
tutions In the nations capital, return
ing to the voters what belongs to the
voters We purpose to Criye from the
floor Of the senate those who sit there
not as servants Of the people, but as
corporation counsel We purpose to
drive from the floor of the house the
speaker ana his rules committee who
have made an autocracy of that which
was created a legislative body In a
word We purpose to readIust the lost
balance between the people and their
lawmakers.
Our jury is the nation; our proof
the record OF the republican party;
our witness Theodore Roosevelt, our
attorney Mr. Bryan of Nebraska"
Mr.. Wattersons speech touched off
the pent-up enthusiasm almost at the
start, and when at the close he 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. Mr. Wauerson finally command
ed silence long enough to introduce
Senator CarmaclS of Tennessee.
Senator CarmRck was followed by
Senator Stone of Missouri, who, in
a few words, introduced Mr.. Bryan
The demonstration which greeted Mr..
Bryan on his entrance 10 the hall was
renewed as the Nebraskan arose to
speak
IN his speech which followed, he
made a more explicit statement as
to his position in the matter of gov
crnment ownership of railroads. In
dead silence he read lengthy state
ment celebrating his position, but de.
olared that the making of platforms
rests with the voters of the whole par
ty, and never have and never win
attempt to force my opinions or those
OF any few men on the people"
While thus indicating that the doc
trlne of government ownership is in
The hands Of the voters Mr.. Bryan's
speech indicated plainly that nothing
has yet occurred to shake his belief
IN the ultimate efficacy and necessity
of It. He declared that he would gladly
make any sacrifice in exchange for
the assurance that regulation instead
OF government ownership would an
swer the need Of the people, He ex.
pressed grave doubts as to- whether
regulation would eves suffice.
He also took pains to present ar.
euments to convince his hearers that
government ownership of trunk lines
and state ownership Of state lines,
mot only preserve the rights Of the
state, but will permit the people of
each to adopt government ownership
when they are ready for it." A ire
mendous yell arose when at the finish
OF the statement Mr.. Bryan. with all
the emphasis he could muster, re-
called to his hearers that
whenever I saw danger threaten
ing the people 1 have spoken out
without asking anybodys permission
or Querying what the effect might be-
on me-"