Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1906 — ON HIS NATNE HEATH [ARTICLE]

ON HIS NATNE HEATH

William J. Bryan, Democratic leader, Again in the Land of Hie Birth. HIS WELCOME IS VERY HEARTY Friends by ths Hundred Meet Him Down the Bay. Nebraskans Are the First to Shake Hia Hand, and Greet Him Exultantly Declines to Talk Politics. New York, Aug. 30. Under gray skies, but In exuberant spirits, and bronzed by the suns of many climes during a year of travel completely around the world, William J. Bryan, of Nebraska, twice the nominee of the Democratic party for president of the United States, and already indorsed up New York for 1908, steamed up ’>»w Yjork -bay on the Steamer Prinzess Irene and received an ovation from large welcoming parties which went down to quarantine to meet and cheer the Incoming vessel and Its distinguished passenger. Not in His Usual Health. Bryan did not enjoy his usual - health during the voyage, but he was much better, and said that he felt sure he would be able to carry out the plans which have been made for-hlm during the next few days. He was very much fatigued when he boarded the steamer, and during the entire voyage suffered from indigestion and severe headache. His Illness was not serious enough to Interfere with his work, however, and he devoted a large portion of the nice days at sea to preparing his speeches and to keeping up his correspondence. Nebraskans Get Him First. Bryan will not land in New York city proper till 4 p. m. today, when he will be received at the Battery by delegations of prominent Democrats from all parts of the country and escorted to the hotel where be will make his headquarters while here. He was taken off the Prinzess Irene by special permission of President Roosevelt shortly after the vessel had anchored in quarantine. First he went aboard two tugs which had been chartered by “Bryan's Nebraska Home Folks,” where he was exultantly greeted and hailed as the next president. Goes Aboard the “Illini." He then went aboard the trim little yacht “Illini," owned by his long-time friend and school mate, Edward F. Goltra, of St. Louis, and where such well-known Democrats as Norman E. Mack, national committeeman for New York, and Daniel J. Campau, national committeeman for Michigan, were awaiting him. In the “Illini” Bryan was taken to the landing of the Ocean Yacht club at Stapleton, Staten Island, where lie land<>d ami was whirled away in an automobile to the home of Lewis Nixon. “Ben Brnw,” on the heights of Tompkinsville, and overlooking the harbor. IT WAS THE GREATEST EVER Welcome Established a Record as to Plain U. S. Citizens. Bryan surrounded by his fellow passengers stood well forward on the promenade deck of the Prinzess Irene as the vessel steamed in past Sandy Hook shortly after 2 p. m. His face was wreathed in smiles.and he seemed more than pleased «t the thought of setting foot on his native soil again. Far down the lower bay the “Illini” met the Prinzess Irene and steamed with her to the quarantine station. Bryan wijs hailed by those on board the yacht and waved his recognition of the cheers and salutes that were given . The scene down the bay as the Prinzess Irene came to anchor in quarantine established a precedent as a celebration of the home-coming of a plain United States citizen. The news that the steamer bearing Bryan had been sighted off Fire Island and that she would be at anchor for the formal medical inspection by 3 p. m. was the signal for a wild rush of specially chartered boats and pleasure craft down the bay side by side they went conditions gave an enthusiastic spirit to the reception which was apparently deeply appreciated. “Bryan's Nebraska Home-Folks” were the most enthusiastic of all. On two big tugboats which journeyed dexvn the bay—side by side they went to welcome their distinguished neighbor. With tumultuous cheers they pulled up alongside the after gangway of the big steamer and called their greetings to Bryan, who stood on the deck just above them and smiled and waved bls bat. Big boxes df flowers were tossed on board for Mrs. Bryan. Then the Nebraska state flag was flung to the breeze and the cheering was re newed. MOBBED BY NEBRASKANS Everybody Anxious To Be the First|to Shake Hia Hand. Songs were sung and the cheering was taken up time and again, while Bryan wqs going through the necessary formalities of the customs Inspection laws. When the baggage had all been passed and Bryan was ready to descend to the Nebraskans' tugs there was another outburst of enthusiasm, which wfis tr*;en up With a will this time by those on the crowded decks of the Prinzess Irene. Cabin and *ec-

end-class passengers lined the rail®, cheering and waving hats and bandkerchiefs gs their noted fellow traveler disappeared over the side. As he set foot upon the tug Bryan was fairly mobbed by the Nebraskans, who had as guests many Democrats ‘from other sections. Each was anxious to be the first to shake hands with ths home-comer, who warmly returned ev ery word of greeting. All seemed tq be old friends and many were called by their first names or some given name, the memory of which had lasted from boyhood days. All this time the whistles on the craft which swarmed about the Prinzess Irene were tooting madly. Flags were dipping everywhere and from the shores small craft put out in multiplying numbers. Bryan was called upon for a speech by the Nebraskans, but he confined himself to telling them, in a purely personal vein, how happy he was to be home again and what a delight and surprise it had been to him to find so ninny of his “home folks” on hand to greet him. He refused to talk politics to any one, saying that he do that tonight. After being on the tugs more than half an- hour he and Mrs. Bryan were transferred to the Illini and taken to the lauding, where they went ashore. Arriving on shore they wCre “motored" to Lewis Nixon’s home, where after dinner at which ten members of ■ the reception'' committee were present Bryan, Nixon and the membels of the committee went into a conference which lasted until nearly midnight. At 12:20 Bryan and his wife were “motored” to the ocean yacht club house, and boarded and will remain in Gravesand bay until this afternoon, when the yacht will steam to Manhattan and Bryan will land at pier A. New York, Aug. 30.—1 t was “Bryan Day” in New York and although the Nebraskan, who spent the night in a launch on Gravesend bay, did not again put foot on native soil until late In the afternoon, the many welcming delegations in town were early astir, putting the finishing touches on their several and varied programs. The signs were not propitious, but the enthusiastic welcomers dkl not have their eyes on the skies. With the landing of Mr. Bryan at Pier A at 4 o’clock in the afternoon the official reception began. There Mr. Bryan was met by a subcommittee, headed hy the chairman of the reception committee, Governor ‘Folk of Missouri. Acting Mayor McGowan was on hand to address a welcome on behalf of .the city of New York. There were a few moments devoted to handshaking and Mr. Bryan then started on a short drive through the city. The ride through the streets was designed to give everybody a chance at least to see Mr. Bryan. There was an informal reception In the parlors of the hotel after Mr. Bryan’s drive. Mr. Bryan was driven to Madison Square garden soon after B’o’cloi k in the evening, where a great public demonstration was held.