CHAPTER XXVIII

The Democratic Party Convention

Held at Kansas City, Mo., July 4, 1900

Meets on the Great National Holiday-A Fitting Time to Celebrate Jeffersonian Principles-Kansas City Receives the Convention Royally-William J. Bryan's Name Arouses. Intense Enthusiasm-Candidates for Second Place in Evidence The Party Platform Enunciates the Issues

TH

HERE is no doubt that the Democratic National Convention was called to assemble on the nation's birthday with the idea that the coming presidential contest must be fought out on the issue of imperialism, or, in other words, whether this fair land. of ours is to be a republic or an empire, and to be ruled on the basis of equality or of privileged classes. Everywhere the convention city was thronged with marching bands, there was heard the crack and boom of fire-crackers and miniature cannon, all of which gave to the proceedings of the convention the character of a monster Fourth of July celebration, rather than the usual quadrennial gathering of the delegates of a great political party. Indeed, the intention of the National Committee that this should partake of the nature of a national celebration was in every way a success. The Kansas City convention will go down in political history as the greatest in the annals of the Democratic party. Contrary to the report generally circulated by the inimical portion of the press, it was not a cut and dried affair, where the delegates were only expected to bring smiling faces and willing hurrahs, but a gathering of intelligent, independent men, welded into most surprising unity by love and loyalty to an honored and trusted leader, and unwavering faith in the principles advocated by the party.

At high noon, July 4, 1900, United States Senator, James K. Jones, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, stood before the great convention, his tall and dignified figure commanding immediate attention, and bringing a hush upon the vast multitude which thronged the building at every point. He rapped for order, and introduced Mayor Reed, who, in a well prepared speech, welcomed the delegates to the convention city.

The call for the convention was read by Secretary Walsh, but the delegates were so overcome with enthusiasm for the day and hour that in the buzz of conversation and the frequent peals of applause the secretary's voice was scarcely heard. Some one has even said that the effect would have been the same had the secretary stood on the top of Pike's Peak and read his call. However, an appearance of order was obtained while the Rev. W. S. Neel, of Kansas City, invoked the Divine blessing upon the meeting.

Governor Thomas, of Colorado, was introduced as temporary chairman, and for half an hour addressed the convention in a well prepared speech suitable for the aims and objects of this convention.

A GREAT DEMONSTRATION

At the close of Governor Thomas' address, a delegate from Colorado, Mr. Dan Campau, made his way to the platform and presented a motion, which he asked should be put at once. It was that the Declaration of Independence should be read. His motion was as follows:

"The Republican party recently in Philadelphia, the cradle city of Liberty, where the Declaration of Independence was written and the Constitution was formed, did there endorse an Administration which has repudiated the Constitution, and renominated a President which has betrayed the principles of the Declaration.

This convention is composed of men who have the same faith as was in their fathers in this immortal instrument. As a reaffirmation of Democratic fealty to the fundamental principles of American liberty, I move, Mr. Chairman, that the clerk be directed to read the glorious Declaration of Independence, drafted by that Democrat of all Democrats, Thomas Jefferson, and adopted one hundred and twenty-four years ago to-day."

The motion was carried amid great applause and the playing of the band, which fairly shook the building with the rush of national airs. However, before the Declaration was read, there was carried upon the platform an object enveloped completely in the stars and stripes. A hush seemed to fall upon the vast assembly, and everyone leaned forward to see what was about to happen. There was absolute silence as the covered object was set upon a pedestal upon the platform. When the flag was removed which draped it, there was disclosed a bust of William Jennings Bryan of heroic size, which had been executed by Richard Parks George, a son of the distinguished Henry George. As the bust stood revealed and the audience saw the carved features of the man who more than any other living being controls and leads the party whose beginning was marked by the opening of the century and whose founder was Thomas Jefferson, cheers burst forth spontaneously and uproariously. Many were impressed by this incident and the significance which it seemed to have. It was more than five minutes before the audience became quiet, and then only from physical exhaustion. It was a relief to have Charles S. Hampton, of Pelosky, Michigan, take the platform and read, in a magnificent voice, the Declaration of Independence. The audience gave respectful hearing to the reading, and as the full and rounded sentences of the state paper which is so familiar to the Englishspeaking races were read, the cheering and enthusiasm seemed to sweep in great swelling rolls which ended in a wild piercing huzza as the reading was finished.

AN INTERESTING EVENT

It was certainly a very unexpected and interesting event when Miss Fultoni, a lady of commanding appearance, mounted the platform, and, in her rich, full soprano voice, led in the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner." The audience again rose to its feet, and, with the waving of flags, fans and handkerchiefs, gave forth cheers which could be heard for many blocks away. It was indeed an innovation for a national convention, and as the singer finished, the

vast concourse of people joined in the ringing words of "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," singing all the stanzas. It was only after after this outburst of song that the chairman was able to secure the attention of the convention to the calling of the roll of states for names of the members for the various committees. As the names of popular favorites were called, the roll-call was interrupted by loud applause. It became evident early in the meeting of the convention that it was going to have its own way and be a most difficult body to govern or control. This was evident at the end of the roll-call, when a motion was made to invite Mr. Bryan to attend the convention. Amidst the uproar which followed this motion, the chairman recognized a delegate near him, who made a motion that the convention take a recess until four o'clock, which motion was declared carried, and although it took some time for the crowd to recognize the fact, yet the hall in a short time was empty, and the celebration was renewed outside. At four o'clock, when the convention was called to order, it was evident that the celebration of the day would not allow much serious business during the afternoon, for the Committee on Credentials announced that it was unable to report at that time, and a further recess was taken until evening.

EVENING SESSION

The expectation that the old motto, "Better the day, better the deed," would find its realization in the nomination of William Jennings Bryan for President on this the anniversary of American. independence, brought, if possible, a still larger crowd to the convention hall at eight o'clock in the evening; but the audience was doomed to disappointment, for there was much preliminary business which had to be accomplished before the candidate could be named. The speeches of the temporary and permanent chairmen were to be heard; the reports of the important committees on credentials and platform were to be read. It was physically impossible that all this should be done on one hot day, probably the hottest of the year, even though it were on an anniversary day. There certainly must have been 25,000 people in the convention hall, rising tier upon tier,

like the spectators in some vast coliseum awaiting the appearance of the actors in a great drama.

CONVENTION HALL

It will not be out of place here to mention that this great convention hall, although not so complete nor so handsome as the one used by the Republicans in Philadelphia, was in every respect well adapted to accommodating the large body of people who assembled in it, and certainly reflected great credit upon the people of Kansas City, especially when it is remembered that it was built within a period of three months on the ruins of the permanent building, which it replaced. The hall is oval in shape, with two tiers of galleries, the lower being suspended from the upper, which extends around the four sides of the hall, and rests upon steel girders that have supports from the steel arches that carry the roof. The upper gallery is about one hundred feet deep, and only a small portion is used for seating purposes. By arranging the seats in tiers, the benches for spectators furnish a full sight of the stage. Both galleries were packed with spectators, a large proportion being ladies, whose beautiful costumes added beauty and completeness to the decorations. Flags and bunting were in evidence as the background of the decorations, and were tastefully arranged, extending across the hall from one side to the other. There was abundance of light, and no obstruction to the entrance of all the wind that could be obtained. Large American flags hung from the steel girders nearly a hundred feet above the floor, and as they waved back and forth, the effect was very striking.

At 8.30 Chairman Thomas rapped for order, and the evening session began. It was announced that the committees were not ready to report, and that Ex-Governor John P. Altgeld, of Illinois, would address the meeting. He made a strong appeal for consistency on the silver question, and affirmed that the convention had met for a higher purpose than to name a man for the Presidency, and that purpose was to declare itself for a principle. At