So many people flocked to watch the trial that it was often held outside in Dayton, Tennessee. The atheist (and bigot) H.L. Mencken,the leading journalist of that time, traveled from Baltimore to give his "spin" (bias reporting) on what happened. Mencken's account misled the world into thinking that Darwin won. In fact, the opposite occurred: Bryan won, Scopes was convicted, and the Tennessee law remained in effect for nearly another 50 years.
The climax of the trial occurred when Bryan--These gentlemen have not had much chance--they did not come here agreed to try this case. They came here take the witness stand himself (which is unusual for an attorney) to try revealed religion. I am here answer Darwin's best questions, provided that Darwin likewise took the witness stand to defend it answer Bryan's questions. Darwin agreed, and they can ask me any question they pleaseBryan took the witness stand before a huge audience that gathered to hear perhaps the greatest orator in American history.
JudgeThis "cross--All right. (Applause in audience.) … examination" of Bryan by Darrow then occurred:
:Bryan--Those [the audience] are the people whom you insultThese gentlemen have not had much chance--they did not come here to try this case. They came here to try revealed religion. I am here to defend it and they can ask me any question they please.
Darrow:Judge--You insult every man of science and learning All right. (Applause in the world because he does believe in your fool religion. audience.) ...
Darrow: Wait until you get to me Bryan--Those [N.B. this apparently refers to Darrow's agreement to be a witnessthe audience]are the people whom you insult. Do you know anything about how many people there were in Egypt 3,500 years ago, or how many people there were in China 5,000 years ago?
Bryan:Darrow--NoYou insult every man of science and learning in the world because he does believe in your fool religion. ....
:Darrow--Have : Wait until you ever tried get to find outme [Note: this refers to Darrow's agreement to be a witness to answer questions by Bryan]. Do you know anything about how many people there were in Egypt 3,500 years ago, or how many people there were in China 5,000 years ago?
:Bryan--No, sir. You are the first man I ever heard of who has been in interested in it. (Laughter)
:Darrow--Mr. Bryan, am I the first man Have you ever heard of who has been interested in the age of human societies and primitive mantried to find out?
:Bryan--No, sir. You are the first man I ever heard speak of the number of people at those different periodswho has been in interested in it. (Laughter)
:Darrow--Where have Mr. Bryan, am I the first man you lived all your lifeever heard of who has been interested in the age of human societies and primitive man?
:Bryan--You are the first man I ever heard speak of the number of people at those different periods. :Darrow--Where have you lived all your life? :Bryan--Not near you. (Laughter and applause). ... The next day it was time for Darrow to take the witness stand
== References ==
