The Monroe journal., 1916-12-15

anu Delighted nj thc same Tine.
II cyclone had struck Monroe
Wednesday night people would have
been no more surprised than they
were just after dark when the news
began TO flash around that W. J. Bry-
an was in town and would speak at
eight o'clock in the Methodist church.
And the fire bell itself would not have
caused people to stir out faster. But
il was true, and we had Bryan like n
.y'ndfall.
The Great Commoner. en- route
from Birmingham. Ala, TO Hamlet.
where he was TO have made speech.
missed the connection here Wednes-
day night. and was forced to spend
several hours on Union county soil
He came unannounced, but ii was not
long before The mystic name of Bry-
an was on every lip. AT the invita-
ton of Rev. j. L. Abernethy. Mr.. J..
c. Skies. Mr.. n. G. Russell. and 9TH
ers, Mr.. Bryan consented to speak
in the Methodist church.
1t was then only little after sew
en- O'Clock. but messengers were dis
pached to all of the churches, where
prayer services were being held, to
get the pastors to announce the fact
that Mr.. Bryan was in town and
would speak. The telephone lines
we're also utilized. and il is believed
that there were very few who were
unaware of the presence of the great
statesman in Monroe.
In the short space of thirty min
utes the Methodist church was filled
to the overlooking point. Many We're
forced to stand, and many had to
peek in the doorways. There was
40 heat in the church. but II any one
was uncomfortable. they failed to
show IT, All the time Mr.. Bryan was
speaking, TO use a common express
sion. lone could hear pin drop" No
speaker has ever secured such undi-
vided attention from a Monroe audi
ence. and though he spoke nearly an
hour. the audience did not exhibit the
least symptoms of restlessness.
All For Bryan.
Rev. J.E.Abernethy introduced the
distinguished visitor in the following
brief well chosen words. 1--WE are
happy that MIR. Bryan is with us. for
we down here are all for Bryan"
In a soft mod'ulated voice, Mr..
Bryan commenced his remarks. All
during his address he spoke in soft,
even tones, not once raising audibly,
or lowering, his voice. His words
rolled forth from his throat like wa
ter from steady stream, not hesita-
ting for a single moment, and he used
the simplest expressions all the way
through.
There is probably no man in Amer
lea today who is more generally
known. or more universally admired,
than is Mr.. Bryan If we take into
consideration that his public career
commenced In 1888, when he attarct-
ed nation wide attention by his
speeches in behalf of the Democratic
candidate for President in that year.
Mr.. Wilson. great many think. Is a
greater man than Bryan, but the
grilling test of time has not yet ap-
piled to him, as he sprung into ma
ton wide Importance in 1910. The
same might be applied to Roosevelt.
Posterity will have to decide between
Roosevelt. Bryan and Wilson.
1T is impossible to go throughout
the country" said Mr.. Bryan. with
out finding friends. especially in this
part of the country. After having
spent the past Twelve hours In catch
ing and riding trains, | was much IA
tigued when | arrived In your town.
I was looking forward to much need
ed rest. when | was discovered by
some OF your citizens, which accounts
e. my being here tonight.
II Immediately commenced to en-
Joy my stay here when learned that
I was stopping at the same hotel
building In which Secretary of Agri-
culture, David Franklin Houston,
was born. was so pleased at learn
ing that fact that I wrote Mr.. Hous-
ton before leaving the hotel. acquaint-
ing him with the fact.
Then learned that Union county
is the birthplace of that much admir-
cd statesman, Andrew Jackson. who
played such an important part in the
affairs of this country at really cru
sial period In It's history. And l wish
that | might have the time to visit
his birthplace.
Church Relationship.
II am glad to be speaking in the
Methodist church - the original
church of my mother. who later left
that faith to join the Baptist church
with my father. Then in later years
my wife left the Methodist church to
Join the Presbyterian church with
me. So am a Baptist and Metho-
dist by inheritance, and Presbyte-
rian by membership. | believe | get
my handshaking-an | have proba-
bly shook more hands than any living
man in America today-from the
Methodists. my fondness for water
from the Baptist. and my persever-
ance from the Presbyterians.
CAT the conclusion Of the speech.
Rev. r. L. Trott, the beloved pastor
of the Episcopal church. advanced to
the front and shook hands with the
great politician and temperance adj
vocate. mt Bryan" said the rec
tor. haven't you got any one in the
Episcopal church," Yes" replied
MIR -yan. smiling at the happy
Thought. rive got q daughter who Is
a member OF the Episcopal church ."
'I'm not like the ministers" cor