The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-06
BRYAN HoWlED DOWN.
Returned Canadian Soldiers Created
Disturbance In Hall and Drowned
Out Voice of ''Grcat Commoncr."

when he appeared at Massy Hall here
tonight to address prohibition meet
ing under the auspices of the Domin-
ION alliance.
Returned soldiers caused the dis
turbance by shouting various epithets
What about the Lusitania?" they
also demanded In chorus.
The first disturbance came before
Mr.. Bryan's entry when the chairman
told the audience they were to be
honored by listening to the fraternal
delegate OF the Anti-Saloon League of
America" one of the foremost citizens
OF our ally"
The chairman refrained from men
uoning Mr.. Bryans name as long as
he could, but when IL came out at last,
4. was greeted by a chorus of cat calls
and cries of I'VE don't want him." The
chairman appealed to the audience. 1t
was not a good thing for the city they
were doing. he said and "a bad thing
for the cause We represent"
Then Mr.. Bryan came in and pam
demonium broke loose. Most of the
audience stood up. and waved hand
kerchiefs and cheered him, but the
answering boots from the galleries
outlasted the cheers.
For five minutes Mr.. Bryan tried to
make himself heard. but it was no
use. The interruption kept right on
and the interruptors sang "Rule Bri-
tania.' forcing the audience to Join
In that and God Save the King"
They inquired about the Lustania
and sang "Over There" and 1--WE
Won't Go Home Until Morning" Men
stood up and shook their fists at the
American ex-secretary of state. Sol
diers showed the service button on
their coats and shouted defiance at
those who pleaded for a hearing for
the visitor.
Enthusiastic prohibltionists who
wished TO hear Mr.. Bryan, hurled
across the hall counter calls OF Put
them out" and where's your fair
playY" The chairman was heard to
say something about ejeeting the in
terrupters He was greeted with
cries OF who's going to do it?"
Mr.. Bryan took his seat.
John III. Roberts OF Montreal made
an attempt to speak. but was told to
''get the khaki on"
Then man of the army medical
corps dressed i'm uniform was hoisted
on the platform.
Boys. they are lighting for freedom
at the front. they are also fighting for
freedom OF thought. Why should we
Interrupt the meetlng?" he appealed
TO the galleries.
The appeal was in vain. God Save
the King" was sung again and the
soldiers In the galleries shouted Take
Bryan out and Wen walk out. Wen
let any man speak, but not a pro-
German"
After the band had played another
air. Mr.. Bryan made a brief, but fu-
tile attempt TO make himself heard.
Then he took a chair to the edge of
platform and talked to the reporters
the noise never ceasng for an in.
stant.
Il am here by invitation" said Mr.
Bryan. II come as the representative
Nf Nl..
who have banded themselves together
In various organizations for the pro-
motion of prohibition. / have spoken
In one hall tonight before an audience
that gave me not only respectful but
enthusiastic attention.
II find that less than 5 per cent.
probably more nearly less than 2 per
cent. OF this audience refuse to allow
the rest OF the auditors to hear me
speak. Ordinarily. those who interrupt
meeting are put out because they
refuse majority the right to hear
In this case, / am not willing that
force should be used To eject the men
from the hall would rather that
the melting should break up.
My patriotism is satisfactory to
the president OF the United States. Is
satisfactory to the cabinet Of the
United States; 1t Is satisfactory 10 the
congress OF the United States. There
Is not one single person In the Unit
cd states who can say that one drop
OF blood In my veins is not loyal 10
my country"
MIR. Bryan told the reporters that
his daughter was married to Brit.
ish engineer officer. that one of his
ar.,ndnnnu ,rna q, I,rliinI, o,,hin.A