Wednesday, April 4, 2018

William Jennings Bryan visited Camden, Alabama on April 8, 1918

William Jennings Bryan
This coming Sunday – April 8 – will mark the 100th anniversary of one of the most significant events in the history of Wilcox County, the day that famous American statesman William Jennings Bryan delivered a speech in Camden.

Many of you will remember from school that Bryan ran unsuccessfully for President three times - in 1896, 1900 and 1908 - and that he later served as U.S. Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson from 1913 to 1915.

Nicknamed “The Great Commoner,” Bryan was generally considered to be the best-known lecturer and public speaker of his time due to his wide travels and deep, commanding voice. He is also considered to be one of the first “celebrity politicians” and is regarded as one of the greatest orators in American history.

According to a story in the April 11, 1918 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era, the 58-year-old Bryan “addressed an audience in Camden on Monday afternoon last on the High School campus, in behalf of the National Prohibition Amendment. Mr. Bryan was preceded by Mr. Brooks Lawrence, who made a very effective talk. Mr. Bryan was introduced by Hon. J.M. Bonner in a very effective and eloquent style.

“With a few remarks along patriotic lines, Mr. Bryan launched into a discussion of the prohibition question. His remarks were eloquent and with unerring logic and convincing truth, he laid bare the folly of the claims of the liquor traffic for consideration of the voter. He presented two very important facts, facts which might well be noted by those who are accustomed to gauge their convictions on the basis of the two leading newspapers opposing ratification.

“That he would bitterly oppose the issue at this time if it hampered in the least the war activities of the United States. He told of the efforts of the saloons to place their liquors within reach of our boys at the training camps and aviation schools, thereby proving their regard for their business paramount to the nation’s welfare. He also stated, and also Mr. Lawrence, that he did not receive one penny compensation for his services, but that his returns for services were derived in the pleasure he had in battling for the safety of the home and in behalf of the children.”

The newspaper noted that “regardless of the bad roads and unfavorable weather preceding, hundreds of people were on hand to great the distinguished speaker and the effectiveness of his address was shown the close attention of all throughout the speech. His exposition of the state right’s plea completely shattered this line of defense, and we know of several who came to the meeting with that as their plea who left determined to join the ranks of forces of righteousness. Many of the most prominent citizens of the county were present, and the seed sown no doubt will bear fruit in the coming campaign.”

In the years after his visit to Camden, Bryan remained in the limelight as one of the leading proponents of Prohibition. He was also heavily involved in the famous 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial in Tennessee. Five days after that trial ended, and seven years after his noteworthy visit to Camden, Bryan passed away at the age of 65 while taking an afternoon nap at his home in Dayton, Tenn. He was later buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

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