The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-13
Interesting Story OF
Bryan's Ocala Visit
(Ocala Banner.)

(Ocala Banner.
Hon. William ]. Bryan has honor
ed our little city by visiting it on
three different occasions. On one Of
these occasions it was at the time
when he was recognized as the lead
er Of the Democratic party, and was
in the very hey-dey of his popularity
but even then he did not make
more favorable impression upon orr
people, nor did he receive a more
cordial reception nor was he given
more, pronounced and outspoken
praise.
If praise is pleasing to him he
must have been gratified with the
reception he received in Ocala. and
the impression he made here.
OF course this does not mean to
imply that he revolutionized the
settled convictions of all who heard
him and won them over to his line
of reasoning, but all were charmed
with him because of the utter alb
sence of bitterness in his utterances
and the tolerant and even magnani-
nous manner in which he referred to
those who disagreed with him in
his present propaganda.
For example, he is out of align
ment with the president on his pol
icy of preparedness but notwith-
standing which he paid thepresident
a very high tribute and said that it
was extremely fortunate for the
country that he was the occupant of
the White House in a time so peril
Gus as the present moment.
Mr. Bryan's speech-in exactly
the same form as it was delivered in
Ocala-has been delivered as far
north as Duluth, as far west as San
Francisco, as far south as New Or
leans and Miami, and as far east as
Boston. 1t has been printed in full
in the Commoner and other newspa-
pers throughout the country, so we
take it for granted that most, if
not all of our readers are familiar
with it. so we hardly deem it neces-
sary to make further extracts from
it.
nr
were deprived of the pleasure of
hearing Mr.. Bryan deliver it, can
obtain a copy of it by addressing a
post card to Mr.. Bryan at Miami
Il
Thirty-four years ago Mrs Bryan
visited Silver Springs. 1t was before
her marriage, and she wrote such a
beautiful description OF it, and her
description made such an impression
upon Mr.. Bryan that it has been
haunting him more or less ever
since, so he was determined not to
let the opportunity of visiting it
escape him.
He says that no description OF it
can acquaint one with its beauties.
That it must be seen to be admired.
Notwithstanding Mrs. Bryan's eN-
uuisite description Of it it surpassed
his expectations and no child could
hae gone into greater ecstacleS as
the Kaleidoscope beauties uniolded
themselves to him.
Mr.. Bryan says that he has belted
the globe and has visited most OF the
famous springs of the world and he
is quite sure that as wonderful DIS
play of nature Silver Springs have
no counterpart in any portion OF the
world. He was particularly charmed
with what is known as the "thous-
and springs and especially the IN
cessant turmoil of those particularly
described as ''tiddlewinks.
Mr.. Bryan was struck with the
transparency of the waters, the
changing formations OF the submar-
inc ercwths of ferns, moss and gras-
SEES, the great assures in the rocks
the activities of the waters in throw
ing ont their snow looking seul-
ments and the fishes gambling III
the great depths.
After returning from the springs
Mr. Bryan occupied the pulpit Of the
Presbyterian church. The house
was packed with people anxious 70
hear him and all who had that nflEl-
lege were delighted.
The distinguished visitor took Tor