The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-04-19
CROWDS HONOR BRYAN.
Speaks to Washington Y. M. G. A.
on Religion.
ORATOR AT LINCOLN MEETING
From the Baltimore Sum-

WASHINGTON, April l4.-Willam Jennings
Bryan spent Sunday in Washington on his
way from the South to New York city. He
was welcomed like conquerng hero. From
the moment of his arrival until his depart
ure late tonight he was busy delivering ad
dresses, attending gatherings and receiving
the cheers, good wishes and congratulations
of thousands, irrespective of political beliefs
or party affiliations.
otis remarkably strange" declared one
we'll known Washingtonian after the ovation
which Mr.. Bryan received at the afternoon
meeting for men under the auspices of the
Young Mems Christian Association, THAT
the people make so much of Mr.. Bryan and
yet he has failed of election twice for the
Presidency"
"You can Just bet that he will be the next
President" responded an old gentleman in
the crowd. she has grown in strength and
is today one of the most remarkable men lIv-
ing"
Mr.. Bryan could not have been more cor.
daily greeted or been more loudly acclaimed
by the crowds in his path today if he had
come to Washington for his Inauguration.
Throng at Y. NJ. c. A. Meeting.
The afternoon meeting under the auspices
of the Young Mems Christian Association at
the National Theatre attracted tremendous
crowd. Within the playhouse every available
foot of space was occupied, and there were
hundreds who were unable to enter. In the
boxes were many prominent men. Among
these was Justice Harlan, of the United
States Supreme Court, one of the militant
Christians of Washington. and who was
greatly pleased with the sentiments voiced by
Mr.. BRYAN in his address to the vast throng OF
men.
On the stage sat more than 200 representa-
tive citizens, headed by District Commissioner
Henry B. F. Mcfarland. Among the public
men present were Senator Lee 5. Overman.
Senator Joseph w. Bailey, former Secretary
of State John W. Foster, Comptroller of the
Treasury Ridgely, Col. Richard j. Bright.
former sergeant alarms of the Senate, and
many of the city's best known clergymen.
Mr.. Bryan is man of deep religious faith,
and few public men have a more sincere or
finer religious spirit. Many of those present
today had thought of him only in his associa'
ton with national politics. They were at
forded an opportunity of studying the Com
moner in another, and one of the finest,
phases of his nature.
By his address this afternoon Mr.. Bryan
again demonstrated his right to be ranked
among the great public orators otthe country:
He spoke with earnestness and sincerity and
charmed his audience, which followed his ad'
dress closely, frequently applaudlng his sentl-
ments.
At the end of his address his audience
crowded up to the stage, and it was fully 20
minutes before he was again at liberty. AS
soon as he had finished talking the vast as
sembIage burst into applause, which lasted
several minutes. Then, after the singing OF
the doxology and the benediction, the crowd
surged toward the stage. Justice Harlan, one
of the leading Republicans in public life, left
his seat in the box and worked his way with
the crowd around to the stage, where he
mingled with eager men, young and old, IN
their attempts to grasp the hand of Mr..
Bryan.
Mr.. Bryan was so closely hemmed in that
those on the edge of the crowd could not reach
him and those nearest him could not get away
after shaking hands, He is used to expert
ences of this sort. Calm and elt-possessed,
he gradually moved toward the left stage box
and finally backed himself against piece of
to shake hands with everybody If they would
only keep moving toward the door.
Men, young and old, crowded toward him
with eager faces, and Mr.. Bryan. with smile
that made them all feel welcome, caught
every hand-and they were thrust at him from
every direction, under arms of the others,
over shoulders and from everywhere.
In the crowd were men who had never seen
Mr.. Bryan before and there were others who
had seen him in widely separated cities dur
ing his speaking tours. One young man said,
"Mr. Bryan, I'm South Carolinian. guess
there's nothing else to be said.'
A Republican whom Mr.. Bryan knew well
came along in the crowd. "Glad, very glad
to see you again." said Mr.. Bryan.
THAT was good platform you outlined
today said the gentleman.
"Yes, that's platform that we can all
stand upon, Democrats and Republicans"
responded Mr.. Bryan.
A Rush For Autographs.
After the handshaking reception youth in
the tag end of the crowd asked Mr.. Bryan tor
an autograph. He responded readily. In
stantly dozen pencils were out, with cards,
scraps of paper and programs, and before Mr..
Bryan was through he had signed his name
hundred times. Ushers had to take him
through an inner passage way and the man
ager's office of the theater in order to enable
him to get away. At the front entrance he
found crowd of nearly thousand awaiting
him. When he entered his automobile the
crowd closed in upon it and forced him to
shake hands. Three cheers went up. Five
minutes more of handshaking followed before
Mr.. Bryan was able to get away, although
here were nearly dozen policemen trying TO
save him from the throng.
Mr.. Bryan arrived in Washington at eight
, clock this morning. He went first to the
Metropolitan Hotel, and then to the residence
Of Mr.. Cotter 7. Bride, at 131 b street south
east, where he was guest at breakfast.
Spoke First At Sunday -SchOOl.
He attended morning service at the First
Church, where he addressed the
H.,
1ut the full strength of the congregation and
many others. After leaving the church Mr..
Bryan went to the home of Mr.. Robert N.
Harper, president of the American National
Bank, for many years president of the Virginia
Association. There he met the following
quests at dinuer: District Commissioner
Henry L. West, Judge Seth Shepard, of the
District Court of Appeals; Rev. DR.. Donald
:. Mcleod, pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church; Gen. John NJ. Wilson. Mr.. Scott
). Bone, R. Walton Moore, of Virginia; MIR.
Benjamin S. Minor. Mr. Blair Lee, Mr.. Will
am H. Saunders and Mr.. A. E. l.. Lecky. |
There was nothing formal about the dinner.
Mr.. Bryan went direct from the residence OF
Mr.. Harper to the National Theater for the
afternoon meeting.
The subject of Mr.. Bryan's Young Mems
Christian Association address was 1.-The |
Prince of Peace" Hon Fl. B. F. mcfarland, |
chairman of the Board of District Commits
ioners, presided, and introduced Mr.. Bryan
IS lone who has all his life long, abroad as
veil as at home, stood for the principle which |
he association represents; above all loyal
oldier of the Prince of Peace.
The Prince of Peace.
"There are many questions which occupy |
,ur thoughts from time to time,' said Mr.. |
Bryan, "but there is no subject ofsuch univer-
al interest as religion. Religion touches all
If our lives and confronts US every day and |
very hour. Governments concern only that |
,art of our existence which is spent on earth,
While religion touches that infinite space of
which our days here are but a small part.