Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-12
WHEELING CHEERS BRYAN
PEERLESS ADDRESSES GREAT
THRoNG ON RIVER BANK.
Many Unemployed Workmen Listen
and Applaud Wildly as He
Scores Republicans.

WHEELING, w. Va, September IL
William Jennings Bryan, the democratic
candidate for President, received a royal
welcome as his private car containing
himself and party and big reception
committee crossed the Ohio river and en-
tered this city yesterday. The river front
was mass of humanity, and as the dem
ocratic leader stepped foot on West Vir-
ginia soil he was cheered to the echo.
His car was stopped directly in front of
the hotel. but so great was the crowd
that even the combined efforts of the
police could not prevent him from being
forced to struggle his way through.
Speaking last night to a multitude of
persons on the very shore of the river
and with the state of Ohio directly op-
poste, Mr.. Bryan pointed out the differ
ences in the two platforms and made a
plea for democratic support He made
frequent reference to Mr.. Taft and told
his audience that the republican candi-
date was conducting his campaign on a
platform so obnoxious to him that he
was forced to continually patch it up with
amendments of his own.
Much stress was laid on the labor and
anti-injunction planks of the democratic
platform, his remarks on this subject be-
ing applauded by many unemployed work.
men from the Ohio steel plants in this vi
cinity.
About His Third Nomination.
Mr.. Bryan referred to the fact that his
third nomination for the presidency had
significance that could not be over
looked either by republicans or democrats.
I'm former campaigns I suffered de-
feat" he said, land those defeats would
have been sufficient to have eliminated me
from politics If my claim to public at
tention was based upon personal merit.
But, my friends, I have not been vain
enough to believe that any large part of
expressed in me. of the affection felt
toward me, is due to personal qualities
I have believed, do believe. that the fact
I maintain my place in politics is due to
the strength Of the things for which l
stand"
The republicans. he declared, may well
ask themselves whether they had not I'M
derestimated democratic policies when
those policies were strong enough to give
him third nomination.
Glad to Hear Echos.
Referring to the fact that the over
shadowing issue of the campaign from the
democratic standpoint was shall the
people rule Mr.. Bryan said he was sure
that his first speech had some effect, for
I heard two distinct echoes, one from
Cincinnati and one from Utica, N. Y"
Mr.. Taft, he said, at the first opportu-
nifty had announced the people did rule.
and Mr.. Sherman in his first speech had
said that that could not be the issue. be-
cause 1t would be an insult to the people
to say that they did not rule.
well, my friends said the democratic
candidate, amid laughter and cheering, Il
will take you into my confidence and tell
you that did not expect either Mr.. Taft
or Mr.. Sherman to plead guilty, for, as
the republican party is in power, they
could not have admitted that the people
do not rule without signing their death
warrant. 1 am grateful for the aid they
have given me. for by asserting that the
people do rule they have implicitly said
that the people ought to rule"
Pokes Fun at Taft.
Mr.. Bryan poked fun at Mr.. Taft for
asserting that he was personally in
clined toward the election of senators by
direct vote Of the people. 1 think ought
to say he remarked, that every man
who goes down to ruin is personally in
clined to be virtuous, but has not the
moral courage to resist temptation"
He gave his pledge that If elected he
would call an extra session of Congress
after his Inauguration, and,
among other things, would ask for cleo
ton Of senators by direct vote Of the
people.