The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-06-23
BRYAN STILL SUPREME

Convention WITHOUT Delng aDle 10 see
what grape juice and the love of God
can do in the making of a vast char
acter." Thus spoke Rev. DR.. James
w. Lee, presiding elder, who offered
the opening prayer as chaplain of the
convention, in his sermon Sunday
morning, at st. Johns Southern
Methodist Church. Continuing, he
said: 81 was profoundly impressed
with the convention. In my opinion,
the most remarkable thing in that
convention was William Jennings
Bryan. | have not always agreed
with Mr.. Bryan's political theories,
but after more than twenty years of
political struggle, he has come through
it all with great, radiant, splendid,
well rounded, rich character. The
brightest face in the convention, the
most interesting, the most beautiful,
was that Of Mr.. Bryan"
Could there be possibly stronger
evidence of the superb and matchless
qualities of man than that quoted
in the preceding paragraph, from a
reverent and greatly beloved follower
of the Nazarene, even while admit
ting that Bryan's political theories
have not always had his support ?
Yet Mr.. Bryan occupied no seat on
the speakers platform, neither was
he in the delegates pit. Instead, the
only seat he occupied in that conven-
tion was in the press gallery, where
he hoped to be unobserved, rather
than the observed. Yet, hidden as he
practically was behind reporters
desk, the effulgence of his presence
could not be dimmed. Could there be
stronger testimony than this that
Bryan has a mission to perform? If
not, then why should behave been Gre
ated with such an overtowering men
tally?
But it was not Rev. Lees attention
alone that was attracted by Mr.. Bry-
ans luminous presence. His ccmpell-
ing presence was the cynosure of all
eyes throughout the Coliseum, and
the overpowering desire to hear him
could not be suppressed, resulting in
frequent and prolonged calls for
Bryan! Byran! Bryan" That such
acclaim must have proven embarass-
ing to Mr.. Bryan there can be no
doubt. Chairman Ollie James had
scarcely finished his address Thursday
morning when the first pent-up ac-
claim of Bryan broke forth, but the
great Commoner quickly made his
way from the convention to fill a
speaking date in the city. But the
thousands who did not understand
the reason for Mr.. Bryan's sudden
disappearance continued to call for
the Commoner until Chairman James
made them understand the situation,
and promised that they would be
given an opportunity of hearing the
Matchless Leader before the conven-
ton adjourned. This promise inn
mediately restored quiet.
Soon as the convention was called
to order Thursday evening, the calls
for Bryant" again broke forth in
deafening spontaneity, which CON
tinued to grow in volume until Mr..
Bryan appeared on the speakers plat
form, when the great multitude arose
in an inspiring ovation TO their idol.
only a few delegates sitting tight.
The nomination of President Wilson
could not be proceeded with until
Bryan had been heard from. And
then followed such speech as only
Bryan is capable of delivering, COM
ing out again as strong for Wilson
as he did four years ago at Baltimore.
His voice, as of old, still rings clear
as bell, and was heard distinctly
to the most remote corners Of that
great structure. Throughout his
speech, of more than an hours dura-
ton, absolute quiet prevailed, and at
its conclusion it was plainly apparent
that Bryan still reigns supreme in the
great American heart He had opened
up the necessary enthusiasm to cause
that convention to go forward with
the second nomination of Woodrow
Wilson in manner that must mean
at least one million more votes in the
November election.
When the convention met in its
final session Friday morning many
others were there who had not been
privileged to hear Mr.. Bryan's speech
of the night before, and again pro-
ceedings were interrupted by calls for
Bryant which were continued at
such length that the Commoner was
again forced to leave his table in the
press box to isolate himself under the
speakers stand, creating the i'm
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