Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-09-12
THE sURGINa CROWDS.

The glare of fireworks lit up the sky IN all
directions. Now and then the outside null
titude would shout with enthusiasm.
THE sURaINe CROWDS.
1t was soon after eight O'Clock that the
committee, headed by Chairman Barnum'
of the National Democratic Committee;
Roswell P. Flower, Calvin S. Brlce ana
Herman Oehlrichs, appeared on the mas
sive stage at the north side OF the Garden.
A tremendous shout greeted them, and
long procession of democratic leaders 1led
into the seats on the stage Governor Hill
and ex-Mayor Grace walked arm in-arm.
Mr.. Brice introduced Mr.. Flower, who be-
gan to pay tribute to Cleveland. But
the multitude was so immense that its
slightest sound drowned the speakers
voice, and he had hard work to make HIM
self heard The audience was on the out
look for the great democrat of the evening.
THE MAN THEY LOOKED FOR.
Where was the Old Roman?
The inquiry swelled into hurricane OF
sound, Mr.. Flower had to stop. Again
he went on. and still the voice of the people
called for the leader.
Suddenly there was mighty upturning
of faces and upheaval of arms. A cyclone
seemed to sweep through the Garden. 1t
was as if the roar of Niagara was mingled
with the thunder of artillery.
There stood the Old Roman before them,
the simple, rugged gray haired man whose
name is the SYNONYM for all that is noble
in the American character. His grand old
face was as white as show, hut it was lit
mn with faint smile. AS he advanced to
the Fl ont and turned his corntenance up
ward to the light it could be seen that he
was touched to the heart by the imposing
spectacle of devotion that met his eyes.
A raging sea of red bandannas and has
dashed the air. The whole great assem-
blsge, acre upon acre, arose at single leap
to great Americas chiefest champion of
constitutional liberty. For two minutes
and three. quarters this terrific scene last
ed. Mr.. Flower tried to resume his speech,
but it was no use. He turned about and
presented Mr.. Thurman. Again the air
grew scarlet ard the roof shook with the
thunderous shouts that saluted the great
son of the democracy. When Mr.. Flower
drew out red handkerchief and waved it
Mr. Thurman held up one hand for silence.
He seemed to be very weak. and spoke in
SO low a voice that all the reporters leaped
on top of their tables and stood in front of
him with their note books in their hands,
a very novel and picturesque sight. Mr.
Thurman said:-
"Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen,
democrats of the city of New York-(cheers)
Il have heard it said since l was nominal
ed to the Vice Presidency of the United
States that Allen G.. Thurman is an old,
weak, broken down man. don't know
what to reply to this, 1t seems to me,
though, that am not quite as well as |
ought to be, and am in no condition to
speak to any immense audience like this TO-
night. I want to speak, aud | am almost
induced to make the effort. But / am too
unWell-'
FRUSTRATED BY SICKNESS.
There was great sensation at this point.
turned away from the audience, clasping
one hand over his mouth. With the other
hand he leaned upon Mr.. Flower, Gov. Hill,
Henry Watterson and Chairman Barnum
supported the tottering figure. Mr.. Thur
man had been suffering from cholera NOR
bus all afternoon and had been attacked
again. He was helped to a seat by Gov
Hill. The audience grew wild with excite.
ment, for he flags on the front of the stage
cut eff all view of the Old Roman and no
Que except those close to him knew exactly
what bad happened. Again and again bill
lows oi applause washed up from the bu-
man ocean.
s'YUull have to excuse me" said Mr..
Thur aan 10 the committee. 81 am sick ]
would not have appeared had ! not felt that
could not disappoint the people,"
Then the audience could see that they
were wrapping the old baudanna emblem
of honesty and modcsty-aIound the Old
Romans neck and putting on his coat. AS
he retired storm of affectionate cries fol-
lowed him, aud the whirlwind that met
him in the street could be distantly heard.
Mr.. Flower announced that Gov. Gray, OF
indiana, could not be present, but had tele-
grapbed his regrets.
GOV HILL HEARTILY GREETED.
AS Gov. Hill strobe forward he met a
hearty recspton--such greeting as demo-
Gratis know how TO give their own. He
paid fine tribute to President Cleveland's
honesty fearlessness and broad minded
craftsmanship, and eulogizcd the patriarch
of democracy who had just vanished from
view. Mr.. Blaiue's name was hissed.
Gov. Green, of New Jersey, called Thur
man the intellectual giant Of American
craftsmanship. He glowed over the home
ly greatness of President Cleveland, and
ridicued the feeble efforts of republican
partisanshp to blind the public to his radi.
ant and fearless administration. When he
spoke Of Mr. Blaine's defence of trusts a
mighty groan vent up.
Senator Joseph G. s. Black burn, of KY,
made the multitude shout with applause at
.oy,e ~
nimity of the republican Senate, which did
not dare to even touch the Tariff Reform
bill passed by democratic House of Repre-
sentatives, the best tax bill that had been
devised for thirty years. He stirred his
bearers up when he referred to Mr. G eve
laad's splendid retaiia'io message
asking for power tn vrdicate the honor
# the Republic ard be- dignity of its cti-
z,uship "
And rpar after rear Of applause assembled
Va speaker after speaker voiced the heart of
The great democratic party aud told how
the greatest and wisest statesman 10 the
Presidential chair since Lipcolns time had
burned all his bridges behind him and
stood befnre his ceuatry, confident in the
intelligence and patriotism Of its citizens
for his reward.
who is tn y that comes With dyed gar
ments fram CArneg:e's chariot to accuse
tue DEMOCRACY Of being the enemy of the
wol king ina;.s''
It vas John Ms seeug, OF Chio, who
nominated f;1a Old Roman for Prs sidsnt in
1880. that spike. His words burned into
his hearers, ard when the srest gnesting'
and all the enrr Endsns nssstiag: hal dis
selssd AID f,ftr shlrss;:9 a4n'.st II we're
moalng hauaa Tie gi.siion Fas repeated
oyer and over again.