Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-06-05
An Anti-Colfax Circular Distributed
Speeches OfGen. Logan, Gerrett Smith
Senator Morton, and Others.

TIL
PHILADELPHIA, June 5.-The Academy OF
Music was opened at IL, and by 11.3O the four
tiers of vast galleries were crowded with spec
tators. fairy scene was presented. food
OF gas light fell from among the banners,
streamers, evergreen archways, depending
flowers and wreaths that were tastefully ar
ranged. Every portion of the Academy was
tucked out in buds and blossoms redolent with
exquisite perfume. 1t is indeed a veritable
landscape from fairy land, canopied with flags
and battle banners, and ELECTS rounds OF ap-
plause as the very triumph of the decorate ye
art 1t is sight of brilliant beauty seldom seen
and never forgotten. The private boxes are
almost hidden from view in graceful folds of
American flags; the front of the Prince of
Wales box Is adorned with an Oil painting of
Lincoln while the box opposite bears on its front
portrait OF President Grant. The apex of the
dome is encircled with miniature flags and from
the center fall in graceful festoons massive links
Of evergreens, which are looped up on the para
pet of the family circle. The exterior of the
family circle and balcony are profusely adorned
with the coats of arms OF ali the states and ter
ritories which rest on flags, the intervening
spaces being occupied by wTeaths OF laurel. The
pillars supporting the tiers are all garnished
with flags artistically disposed. The presidents
center of the stage. Urns of fresh cut flowers
flank the platform of the presiding Of
hcer, and immediately in front OF the
desk is fine oil painting of Washington. This
picture Is encircled with a Gordon of small
fags OF blue silk, studded thickIy with stars OF
gold. Behind the desk Of the president are
strung aloft two massive stands Of white and
gold, each unfolding a coronet of gas jets
shaded with glass globes. Between these sump-
tuous light dispensers is row of ornate urns brim
Iulf Oh odorous eX0tics parapet four feet high,
green with creeping plants forms, the back
ground to this conspicuous position of the ruling
spirit or the convention. From the rear OF this
IVY mantled partition, rise up in tier on tier like
the seats of an ampEitheatre, the chairs and
desks OF the representatives of the press of the
Union, The desks are covered with white muslin
and arranged in three parallel sections with in.
teryening passage ways, thereby affording easy
lngreSS and egreSs. On both sides of the desks
are vases of rare exetics, and in the rear en-
clrcied by eyergreens, is set scene, repre-
senting an Italian sunset. This background,
as seen from the balcony parquet circle
forms one of the most be autiful scenes ever be-
held at the academy. Two bands are playing
audience applauding almost every strain, and
thus, amid the mingled roar of artillery outside
and the music inside of the building, the great
convention came to order soon after II O'Clock
THE CONVENTION OPENED.
At 1920 Governor Claf1n called the conyen-
ton to order, and amid great silence spoke as
follows:
"Gentlemen Of the convention: Elected accord
ing to the usage OF the republican party in con
ventons of the people heldin every state, you are
nation candidates for the two highest Off ces in
the gift of the American people You represent
a party founded on the broadest principles OF
freedom, justice and humanity, and whose
achievements have been the wonder and admit
ration OF the civilized world. The promises
made four years since OF progress and reform
have been faithfully fulfilled. in the guarantee
by the nation of equal rights to all; in the re-
duction OF the public expenditure and the pub
lie debt; in the decrease Of the public burdens;
In the Improvement OF IL public credit; in the
establishment Of the public faith, that no act
OF reputation shall stain the statute books
and in securing peace and order throughout the
entire republic You are summoned 20 declare
anew your fidelity to those principles and pur-
poses which have brought such beneficent
results to the nation. We will not fear
that the people will desert those who have
been faithful in their high trust for other men
and other organizations; although they NAV
adopt our principles and promise to adhere to our
policy. Let us go forward with confident faith
that our cause will triumph, notwithstanding
unexpected OBJECTIONS, over all combinations
however skillfully planned, because in its
continued success are centered the best interests
clusion, he called upon Rev. Alexander Reed,
OF Philadelphia, who addressed the Throne of
Grace, asking divine blessing on the nation and
TINS assemblage Of representatives. Music by
He then nominated for temporary chairman
ex- Mayor Morton McMichael, OF PHILADELPHIA.
who was elected and conducted to his seat.
ADDRESS OF MR.. MORTON M'MICHAKL
Mr.. Morton McMichael, on taking the chair.
said:
Gentlemen of the Convention II thank YOU
for the privilege presented, even for the brief
period shall enjoy that honor, of presiding
over such IN assembly as this. / am the more
gratified because, as q delegate from Pennsyl
vania, and resident OF PHILADELPHIA, IL gives
me an occasion to welcome You to our state
and city, and to say to you all how glad we
are to have you among MS; how carefully We
shall endeavor to promote your comfort While
you remain with US, and how DESTROYS that when
you leave us you will leave with such impres
Gons As will induce you frequently TO return
Under any circumstances the presence of 90
many distinguished men gathered from all parts
OF THIS mighty land, which grows and stretches
% rapidly that In these recurring quadrennial
conventions, new states, new territoriee and in
this case happily for the cause of humanity
and progress, new race new at least in the pos
session Of political rights and civil functions
and soon TO be endowed with all the attri-
butes Of equality are represented-under
any circumstances your presence would
be to us . source OF satisfaction; and II Is
especially In view Of the purpose which has
brought you hither. Tho malc0ntents who re-
Gently met at Cincinnati we're without constitu-
ency. The democrats, who are soon to meet a.
Baiemore, viii be without q principle. The
former having no motive In commo but per-
sonal disappointment, attempted fusion Of re-
peIling elements, which has resulted in exnlo-
sion. The latter degraded from the high estate
they once occupied, propose an Abandonment NJ
their identity, which means death Unlike the
nref, You are the authentic exponents of a great
national organic alton, based upon principles
"nrm as the marble, founded as the