Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-09
Republican National Convention !!
Notes and Incidents |

WIN nlttlnB uelegaueS' Inc uelegatlons,
many of them, especially from the west
and south, came in with brass bands. The
shop windows were full of pictures of candi.
dates,-at least full of Grant and Blaine
portraits. There was no picture of Edmunds
to be seen, nor were there any delegates la
beled "Edmunds," though there were some
that read Sherman few bearing the
legend No Third Term" and great many
were inscribed respectively "Grant" and
Blaine" The flaming red badges of the
Sherman men were prominent in inverse ratio
to their Importance, showing in the crowds
like signals of war. The sound of martial
music was almost constantly heard in the
streets 1t was the noisest and most OBJ
trusive convention, old politicians aver, that
they can remember. The mass. meetings,
with blazing Examinations Monday evening,
drew not less than twenty thousand people,
everything being at fever heat, it was difficult
to make any cool judgment. In the eve
ming, and way into the night, the bands
played, and electric lights made dazzling all
the principal hotels, where the squabble went
on continually, the corridors being filed with
anxious inquirers, and the parlors occupied
with scot BEDS let at SO night.
THE BUILDING.
The exhibition building, in which the
National Republican Convention was held,
presented scene of striking interest. Stu
ata ba 1alr xr;t OH
distance of the very heart of the city, it was
within few minutes walk of the great
hotels. Sitting on the platform and looking
around, it had the appearance of an immense
tunnel with seats ranging up from the floor to
half of the extreme hight, those of either
end and side facing each other. The plat
form occupied the south side right under it,
being the section arranged for committee
men, guests, reporters, correspondents of the
press, who were there by hundreds. The roof
and sides, and every available point of the
building was decorated with flags and BAN
ners at the extreme north end was a large
canvas strip bearing the celebrated motto,
And that government of the people, by the
people, and for the people, shall not perish
from the face of the EARTH More toward
the center hung a still larger portrait OF
Washington, while at the south end over the
stage was gigantic bust Of the late Senator
Chandler. The location of the various dele
cations was indicated by shields bearing the
names of the state or territory.
THE OPENING SCENES.
At forty-fve minutes past eleven o'clock
Tuesday forenoon the hall was about two
thirds full, and the appearance of the prom
inent men as they entered was greeted with
applause. Every moment delegates were
entering and taking up their places, while a
military band of music stationed in the CEN
ter played patriotic and other strains. Fans
covered with advertisements, railroad time
tables and voting lists were profusely dis
tributed among the audience; telegraph
boys, in smart uniforms, moved quickly
about, and ushers with ribboned batons
gave variety and contradictory directions
to bewildered delegates.
CELEBRITIES OF THE CONVENTION.
There was naturally desire on the part
of many in the galleries to have the celeb
rites who appeared on the platform pointed
out. Don Cameron, dressed in black, looked
pale and careworn as he came forward, at
tended by George Gorham, Filley, and other
Grant men. William Z. Chandler, on the
contrary, appeared in high spirits and chat
ted with Governor Mccormick, Edward Nc
Pherson and Representative Frye. The
stalwart form of Governor Jewell, crowned
with snowy hair; the handsome quadroon
countenance of Governor Pinchback the
martial form of Senator Carpenter, and the
well-known features of Senator Hamlin
were in turn pointed out. Governor Cullom
exchanged salutations with the chief magis-
trates of several other states, who were pres
ent. Owen G. Lovejoy was there, son of
the martyr abolitionist, and Robert A. Lin
coin, the son of the martyr president There
was score of congressman, including many
of the Ohio delegation. General Sheridan
was of course conspicuous, as was his young
aid-de-camp, Colonel Fred Grant, who APP
peared to seek a secluded spot from which
he could view the proceedings, in the result
of which his family is deeply interested.
Prince Leopold and the Marquis of Lorne
occupied seats on the platform.
COMBINES DRAMATIC ENTREE.
A sensation was created by the entrance
of Senator Conkling at the head of the New
York delegation, seventy strong He walked
slowly and proudly up the center aisle, bear
ing the fortunes of Grant as Eneas bore the
vanarahla Anchiaas and nran af,,llu homad hia