The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-03
Thousands Give Rousing Wei
come to Secretary of State
Who Travels Far to Address
Them
Chase City Has Fair of Which
Any County May Well be
Proud---Exhibits. Shows and
Races of Finest Order and
Live Stock Excellent
BY II. w. VINCENT.


CHASE CITY. VA. Oct 2.--Secre-
tary Of State William Jennings Bryan
pitted his eioquence and individuality
this afternoon against the combined
attractions OF a county fair and Cir
Gus, and for an hour held the UNI
divided attention Of crowd of 5000
people against both odds. How much
longer he could have charmed the
multitude is beyond speculation, for a
sudden and violent rain squall. which
was not predicted in the signs Of the
Times" brought Mr.. Bryans address
to an abrupt end. and sent the thou
sands scurrying TO shelter.
For fully five minutes the Com
moner stood hareheaded before the
multitude, with the big rain drops
pattering on the umbrella held over
him by Mayor Jeffreys. hurTying to a
conclusion, but loath to quit until he
had finished. and The crowd that had
hung upon every word he uttered as
Ioath to leave. But the storm con-
quered in the final analysis. Il only
wish" shouted the secretary of state
at the crowd--most of them already
drenched to the skin----"the rain has
been postponed fifteen minutes; for |
had some important things to tell
you"
Voice Lost I'm Storm.
His voice was lost In the clash Of
the elements. How a crowd Of ten
thousand could disappear SO quickly,
almost in the time it takes to tell it,
Is as mysterious as the suddenness OF
the squat TIE canopy OF heaven
was as blue as indigo when the sec
rotary of state arrived at the grounds.
and two hours later his auditors were
huddled like sheep in and under
grandstand and the big circus tent, or
were, Of necessity, Drawing the pitt
I less nor easter.
Bnt--to resume--~the circus struck
its colors at the outset, and can
ceIed the afternoon performance. and
the midway dlsmayed by the SUI
perior attraction. followed suit Sc
did the big cattle. The crowd was
there 10 see and hear Bryan, and even
pink lemonade was drug on the
market
President IT. f. Roberts. of the
Mccklenburg Fair association, who
called the great assem- blage to order
and in introducing Congressman Wal
ter A. Watson, referred to secretary
OF state as the greatest man in the
world" Congressman Watson de-
clared that not since the fall of the
Roman empire had there been man
20 well deserving of the title of the
tribune of the people. nor since JEFF
fersonhs day had there been n greater
Democrat Mayor Jeffreys. 10 whom
fell the actual honor Of introducing
Mr.. Bryan, performed the duty in q
graceful and dignified speech, declar-
Ing that II was the greatest honor had
ever fallen 10 his lot.
Ready to Vote Again.
1--WE have voted for you twice and
We are ready to vote for you again, .
he said, and chorus in the crowd
re-echoed the sentiment.
Mr.. Bryan, before launching into
his set address. INDUCED in some
pleasantries, and told some good
stories. calculated to warm up his
crowd IL they had needed any warm
Ing up; but they didn't. They lis
tened almost breathlessly to every
word that fell from his lips and APP
plauded every fine sentiment and
laughed heartily vat bis humor--ft
was a Bryan crowd. ~
II claim to be a double grandson oi
Virginia." exclaimed MIR. Bryan. "be-
cause my father was Virginian and
I have learned Democracy from JEFF
ferson."
He told a story OF the lady. who
Quizzed by a Norherner as to he,
nativity, reproved him with the
statement that ii was not good form
he was born. TT ne was born III
Virginia he will tell you: II he wasn''
II Is not polite to ask embarrassing
questions"
Another, referring to the praise
showered upon him by the gentle,
men who introduced him: There was
once very homely girl who haG
been told by her sweetheart so Otter
that she was beautiful that she en-
tered her boudoir and prayed, 'Thanh
God, love is blind.
General Average Good.
"But all these things are mighty
pleasant declared Ahe commonor
I'm later years, when some little Re
PNblican says something mean abou
me. instead Of getting mad ] can bark
en- back to this day at Chase City
and say to myself that on the gen
u eral average i have won out"
The crowd howled with delight.
No monarch ever received more
royal welcome than was accorded the
secretary of state at Chase City. AL
the inhabitants of the town and thost
OF the surrounding county were gath
cred at the depot, and when the spe
I cial rolled In the huzzahs of the null
!. tifude fairly rent the air. Greeted bl
. reception committee of citizens, Mr.
Bryan was escorted through a line o.
soldiers who stood at present arms. Il
waiting automobile and. headed b.
! the band and the local military com
pany, the procession Of automobile
made Its way to the new Hote
Gregory
IN shop windows and on billboard
along the line of march flaming
posters announcing Secretary Bryan
appearance at the fair shared honor
with those proclaiming the fact tina
{ Howess Great London Show woult
exhibit In Chase City "onh day only
{ ThUrsday, October I'd" The secre
fary noticed the contrasted attractions
and smiled. "
Holds Informal Reception.
Al the hotel the secretary held al