Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-01
BRYAN DRAWS
1000 CROWD TO
FRONTIER TOWN
SUNDAY HAS LITTLE REST FOR
COMM0NER
MAKES SPEECHES ON SUBJECT
OF RELIGION
Says He Will Learn Wednesday If
Ryan Contributed to His Campaign
Fund and viii Return
Every Dollar
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
VALENTINE, Neb., May 31.-There
was little rest today for w. ]. Bryan on
his weeks tour of Nebraska. His visit
here today brought nearly 1000 persons
to this frontier town to hear Two ao-
dresses, both on religious themes.
Ranchmen came from points sur
rounding the town for radius or
nearly 100 miles, and many overland
Journeys from twenty to forty miles
were made by farmers and stock men,
cowboys and Indians, who came In all
sorts of conveyances and made day
of 1t.
Mr.. Bryan arrived in Valentine long
after midnight from sixteen hours
trip along the northern boundary of the
state, but was up by 8 o'clock Elab-
crate arrangements had been made for
his reception, and large crowd met
him despite the lateness of the hour.
Rev. J. Robert Beale of the Presby-
terian church and Rev. c. e. Connell
of the Methodist church had arranged
for a joint service In a large tent
erected for the purpose, and Mr.. Bryan
was the speaker both morning anu
afternoon. In the morning he delivered
his well known lecture on "The Prince
of Peace" and in the afternoon spoke
ON "Signs of the Times"
In introducing MI. Bdyan in the
morning, Rev. Beale said:
"This occasion brings to my mind
great picture / once saw in large
eastern gallery. 1t depicted the Savior,
his face radiant, in the midst of a host
of worshipers. They were all doing
homage to the Lord. bowling down be-
fore him in humility. 1t pleases me
to introduce to you today one well
known to and honored by the world
for his fame in politics, but who is
still willing to bow down to the Prince
of Pease."
Applause Greets Bryan
A ripple of APPLAUSE greeted Mr.. Bryan
as he stepped to the front of the plat
form, but he quickly waved the audi
ence to silence. He apologized for not
being able to get his state trip into
six days, and remarked: But l have
no apology to offer for following my
usual custom of speaking on religious
subjects on Sunday. AS Is well known,
I am greatly interested in the science OF
government, but want to say that
am much more interested in religion,
and I am sure it is not too much to
say 1 would rather make a religious
than a political speech. I made re-
ligious speeches six years before be-
gan to talk politics and 1 expect to
make them for many years after l am
out of politics"
Mr.. Bryan addressed himself particu-
larly to young men, and at times varied
the set text Of his address to say a
word of warning concerning unbeliev-
ers and scoffers at religion.
One feature of the days happenings
was the singing of a party of travelling
men who were in the town over Sun
day.
L. p Bauderman. jr., was made
spokesman for his fellow travellers, who
greeted and Were received by Mr..
Bryan, following which they formed
themselves into a male chorus under
the leadership of j. w. Herman, and
entertained the crowd with campaign
songs.
OF the report printed in New York
paper to the effect that Thomas F.
Ryan had given $4,000 to the Nebraska
cam paign fund four years ago Mr..
Bryan gave the Associated Press the
following statement:
VIII Return Ryan's Money
'I shall reach home next Wednesday
night and will then read the text of the
charge made by the New York World.
If Ryan contributed directly or indi-
rectiy to the Nebraska campaign fund
will see that every dollar is returne dto
him.
The meetings today were entirely
non partisan, the afternoon meeting
being presided over by w. S. Barker,
editor of the oldest Republican paper
in the state, who introduced Mr.. Bryan
as "a great. platform orator, Nebraska S
most favored son. and I may say, the
most distinguished citizen in private
life on this continent today
A large union choir of the two
churches furnished music, which took
on semi-national air tone.
The Bryan party will leave Monday
morning for a thirty days trip through
the western part of the state, and will
visit some points Mr.. Bryan has never
before seen. His first speech Monday
will be at Chadron at 8 o'clock.
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