The Washington herald., 1908-07-07

majority Of the delegates and spectators
in the convention hall Trlman's defense
Of # had enraged them. because Of its
futility. Hill and Russell had poured hot
shot into H. Then came this young man.
A few delegates remembered that he had
made a famous tariff speech in Congress
The Westerners whispered about that IL
was the boy orator Of the Platte"
He began his speech. When he reached
the first period he was interrupted by 4
perfect gale Of applause. At last the
silver men had found a speaker who
could reflect their sentiments and defend
their position. Before he was well into
his speech, the convention was hanging
on every word that fell from his lips.
With those words there was the earnest
ness OF passion and conviction. At last
came the famous perorat!On, You shall
not press down upon the brow OF labor
this crown Of thorns. You shall not
cruelty mankind upon cross Of gold.'
The convention went Wild Men seized
the State standards which marked the
delegations. and rushed. yelling and
shouting 10 group them about the Ne
braska standard. The silver delegates
were wild with JOY. and the names Of old
| leaders like Bland were forgot The gold
men sat In a silence which partook Of
/ the quality OF awe. Everybody seemed
/ 70 realize that the day Of the power Of
! oratory had not yet passed; everybody
at once began TO look upon Bryan as the
/ probable nominee Of the convention.
! That night his name was placed in
! nomination by a delegate from Georgia.
/ The balloting began the next day and on
/ the fifth ballot Bland and Boies and al
/ the rest went down before the stampede
] -T-I 20 Lao
stampede. but its delegation was out OF
the hall for consultation. when ollie
James. head Of the Kentucky delegation,
/ announced the withdrawal Of Joe Black
burns name and the casting Of twenty
four votes for Bryan. That started the
ball. and Bryan received practically all
the votes. except those Of ninety-hve
Fasteners, who voted for Gov. Pattison.
OF PENNSYLVANIA. and the 162 gold dele
gates. who declined 10 vote.
National conventions frequently develop
!, dramatic situations but II IS 10 be doubt
ed If there has ever been anything 10
|, equal the scene which followed M
Brvan-s speech in the Chicago convention.
/ II brought him into national prominence
al a bound. and gave him position Of
? party pre-eminence which he has main
b tained for twelve years. despite defeat
= and disaster. 40 other losing candidate
= in American politics has been so honored,
save Henry Clay And Clay was always
( In Office, while Mr.. Bryan has been only
= private citizen.
= While IL is true that Mr.. Bryan's great
, oratorical effort won the nomination to'
him. it was not all accident Mr.. Bryan
. went 10 Chicago believing he would bt
= nominated He was thoroughly familiar
|, with the situation, he saw the weakness:
Of The Bland and BOies candidates.; h'
! believed that a dark horse would win The
: prize. and he intended 20 be that darF
o horse His Nebraska fellows were harC
: AT u ork for him in an underground fash
= ion. and there were leaders Of nationa
= prominence who believed Bryan would b'
:, the nominee before a single newSpape
= had ever mentioned him as a probalty
u These plans were laid. The speech mad
1, them effective. To-day Alr. Bryan is il
Il his home at Fairview. The convention
- meets in Denver He believes he viii b
a able 10 control il In every particular. "
= shall see what we shall see.
IS (Copyrisht Iss. by Frederic J. Haskin-]
To-morrOw-Cheape Foreign Post