W. J. Bryan Comes to Sanders

Hon. W. J. Bryan, as announced, spoke at Sanders, Wednesday evening, the train was very late, so the large crowd (variously estimated at from 2,500 to 3,000) had to content themselves with a moonlight glimpse of his face. Quite a number reached the car in time to shake hands with him. Among other things he said: 

“I am glad to meet the Indianans and Kentuckians who compose this audience. Indianans, like the people of Nebraska, are interested in knowing whether Kentucky is to continue as a Democratic State or is to be classed among the doubtful ones. If you will elect Goebel Governor we will know that the State will be in the Democratic column in 1900. (A voice: “I’ll get 500 to 1 that it will.”) The Democrats of Kentucky are particularly interested in this contest because it is of peculiar local interest. But there is a national election in which all the States are interested in how to class Kentucky politically. I trust that every Democrat in the State of Kentucky will go to the polls and make certain two things—first, the election of Goebel as Governor, and second, the return of Jo Blackburn to the United States Senate. (Applause.) If a man who calls himself a Democrat and advocates Democratic principles feels inclined to bolt the ticket, remind him that he assumes responsibility for whatever comes from the election of a Republican Governor. If you people have wranglings among yourselves I want you to rise above individual consideration and remember that the Louisville platform endorses the Chicago platform, and remember it is against trusts, militarisms, and imperialism. 

Remember that the candidates on this platform stand as the representatives of these ideas and that in their election there will be a triumph of these ideas. If they are defeated it will be a defeat of these ideas, and if you love the ideas of the Chicago platform then make the majority for Goebel so large that there will be no doubt of the result next year.” 

Mr. Bryan was introduced by Senator [and gubernatorial candidate] Goebel, [who, on the following February 3, was assassinated] whose voice was very husky, showing that he had been put to quite a strain lately. It was such a disappointment to the crowd that the train did not arrive before dark. Mr. Bryan pleased the Indiana people in the crowd by saying that he knew there were a great many there by the enthusiasm that existed in the crowd. 

Congressman Griffith, of Indiana, delivered quite an eloquent speech during the afternoon, as did Hon. J. P. Carter, of Vevay, and others.

It was a grand meeting and the crowd was more orderly than political gatherings usually are, and nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of the day except the train’s late arrival.

From the Ghent Times, October 20, 1899