The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-04-11
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The UkEAT CUMMUNEk.
Hon. W.. Bryan Visits Johnson City and
Given q ROYAL Welcome.

Hon. W. J. Bryan Visits Johnson City and
Given a Royal Welcome.
The visit of William Jennings Bryan
here today was veritable ovation from |
the time the distinguished Nebraskan |
left the train at 3.30p. m, until after
his lecture on the "Prince of Peace"
which he delivered to an immense au-
dience at night.
Mr.. Bryan was obliged to ride from
Chattanooga in a day coach, sleeper
not being available.
Mr.. Bryan on his arrival was driven
in carriage, as the guest of the Hon.
Walter p. Brownlow, to the public
square, where he made ten minute
speech to about fifteen hundred people.
When he began to speak train be-
gan switching near by, with an unusual
amount of noise. Mr.. Bryan stopped
speaking until the noise was over, and
humorously remarked that "a railroad
train creates as much disturbance at
p aeiic meeting as the railroads do in
politics"
The commoner was introduced by
DR.. Fl. q. Carr as the greatest man in
the country today.
Mr.. Bryan referred to this and said
that he would not attempt to justify
this introduction; that frequently men
drew greatness from the greatness of
the issues with which they were con-
nected; that it was not important that
public men be great personally, but that
they be in sympathy with the great
masses of the people, and that public
men should be faithful rather than
brilliant.
Mr.. Bryan's speech was q lay sermon
on citizenship. He said that not until
his recent visit to other countries Of
the world had he fairly appreciated the
advantages which the boys and girls o.
this country enjoyed. The advantages
have come to them not by their own eff
forts, but by the sacrifice of their par
ents and the generations which hav,
gone before.
| He urged that the obligations of citi
2enship, especially Of the younger citi
zenship, is to study the problem o
government, and to actively interes
itself in every policy and measure pro
posed, in order that it may exercise it
privilege with intelligence and patriot
ism, and in order that it might create
public opinion which will support hon
est and courageous men in public Of
fee, and drive out corruptionists.
|, He said that this is the country o
the average man. Other countries ar
made up of social extremes. This cour
try is judged not by it's wealth, but b
the average advancement of its wares.
The average man in this country
content only to get back from societ
l. an equivalent of what he gives to it.
is important that every citizen contrib
ute to the general advancement by e.
ercising his right of citizenship,
a bring about good government and peac
and contentment over the land.
Re closed by an appeal to every cit
zen to be patriotic and to take an acti,
interest in public affairs.
An audience of over 1900 people Ii
tened intently to Mr.. Bryan's lectul
= last night.
: He was introduced by Rev. ]. \
= Keevil, and at the close of the lectul
= the great Nebraskan was presente
= with a wreath of flowers by form
Mayor ID. A. Vines, on behalf of Il
u women Of the Baptist and Christis
|, churches.
Mr.. Bryan made a short speech
!. thanks.
He will leave Tomorrow mornir
and pass through Bristol on his way
Roanoke, Va, where he goes to Wis
his daughter, who is student at HI
: Inns Institute, near that city. -Heral
- Courier Representative.