The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-20

was no chance Tor him to get in. BY TAX
ing streetcar and riding mile or so from
the big crowd, my friend found quiet
sideboard where he was able to obtain
glass of beer without fighting for it.
But these are mere sidelights upon the
great convention. 1t was in the pavilion
where the most interesting proceedings
were to be witnessed. l remember that
one night, l think it was the second day of
the session, there was a hitch in the pro-
ceedings. Some of the committees were
not able to agree, and there was nothing
for the convention to do. Before an ad-
lournment was agreed on it was arranged
that some of the leading orators of Chicago
should be invited to address the multitude
OF visitors, who were there to enjoy the
convention, and who did not relish being
turned out of doors without their regular
supply of excitement. Emory A. Storrs,
the brilliant Chicagoan, was the first
speaker. Bob Ingersoll was called for, but
refused to respond, because he was sulking
in his tent-that is to say, he sat in one of
the boxes with anumber of friends and de-
clined to lend hand in aid of any of the
candidates. He felt sure that it was
Blaine year, and as he did not favor the
n -AS
he could not get the man of his choice, he
preferred to remain silent
After a number of men with National
regulations had entertained the great
throng tall, angular, lean-looking old
man was introduced.
"This is old Dick Oglesby, the Republic
can nominee for Governor of Illinois" said
the chairman.
There was a mighty shout as this an
nouncement was made, for the people
seemed to know that something good was
coming. They were not disappointed, for
Oglesby made one of the most adroit polit-
ical speeches l ever heard.
1t is simply impossible to express in
words the pitch to which the enthusiasm
of partisanship in the audience had been
aroused.
| Ii you go to an ordinary political meet
ing and hear what the reporters call 'pro-
| longed applause" it may be worth your
while TO hold stop-watch. You will find
that the aforesaid prolonged applause
seldom lasts more than thirty-fve seconds.
Yet at the Chicago convention have seen
the applause last for thirty-fve minutes,
during which time all proceedings were
absolutely suspended and the audience
would seem to go crazy. Frantic women
would lean over the gallery and wave flags
shouting as if insane. l saw one woman
who was actually projected clear out over
| the audience by three men, shrieking at
the top of her voice the name of her fav-
orite for President. At such times whole
delegations would spring from their seats
in the convention-room, and headed by
| flags and banners with every kind of device
to infame the minds of their adherents,
would march through the corridors be-
tween the delegates hairs.
1t was when this feeling was at it's
height that Dick Oglesby faced his audi
ence. 1t was the chance of lifetime, and
he knew it. He was a candidate for the
governorship of Illinois, and acknowledged
that he had a hard fight on his hands.
After dealing with State politics, and tell
| ing why he thought he ought to be elected
| in the usual manner of candidate, he
ventured into the realm of National
! politics. Here was a field in which he felt
that he was sure of an appreciative hear
| ing. One by one he took up the candi-
dates for the Presidency. With glowing
words he depicted the qualifications of
the man who then held the chair in the
White House. Oglesby was careful, how
ever, not to give his personal Endorsement
to any of the candidates. He merely, as
he explained, echoed sentiments of those
who believed in the different candidates.
In speaking of the gentleman from New
York he said that the friends of President
Arthur held thus and so in regard to the
man who then occupied the place that had
! been filled by Washington. Lincoln, Grant.
This brought forth hoarse roar of ap-
plause for the New Workers were loyal to
| their champion.
After that Mckinley, the representative
protectionist, who even then was for
| midable candidate. was mentioned, and
his name received an ovation. "Black
Jack" Logan of Illinois was cheered so
| long and so loudly that the speaker be-
came weary of waiting for the audience to
| give him a chance to proceed. He walked
around uneasily, took a glass of water,
| chatted with some friends at the side of
the stage and at last came to the front and
held up his hand in token that he desired
10 be heard further. In quick review
! Sherman, Allison, Harrison and Robert T.
| Lincoln and other great men of the Ma
ton were mentioned.
Oglesby left Blaine for the last. A
silence as of death fell upon that vast
concourse as the speaker began with
measured tones to make the closing refer
ence to the most popular candidate.
"There is one," he said, "whose name is
known to every American" /.
The people began to be uneasy in their
seats, but they let him proceed.
81 refer to one who in season and out of
season has borne the banner of American
Republicanism in the front and heat of
battle; one who"
A cheer broke forth and drowned the
closing sentence.
He is a representative Of American citi-
zenship, American manhood"
Cheers lasted for five minutes, while the
band played 1.-The Star-spangled Banner"
and the California delegation, headed by
the National colors and an immense stuffed
eagle perched with outstretched wings
upon gilded staff, marched round and
round the corridors of the convention
room.
81 refer to one dear to the hearts of the