Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-10
MADE THE PULSE LEAP FAST
A Day of Days in Convention
History.
SCENES BEGGAR DESCRIPTION
ne Apotheoss of the Boy Orator of the
PIatte-A Girl Leads the Boes
Demonstrations

Convention Hail. Chicago. ILL.,. July O.
This has been day of days in the history
of national political conventions. From
early morning until late at night, with
the exception of a three hours intermis-l
sion, the gigantic Coliseum, the largest
hall in the world, was crowded to the
doors with interested and enthusiastic
spectators. But great in number as had
been the masses who attended the morn
ing and afternoon sittings they were as
nothing in comparison to the tremendous
record-breaking audience that thronged
the stupendous auditorium at the even
ing session. Such a gathering had never
before been seen at a national conven-
ton. Floor and galleries formed one
great mass of solid humanity. Where the
narrow ribbons of aisles had marked the
various divisions of the huge interior
there were gathered hundreds-perhaps
thousands-of those who could not find
other accommodations. Every chair was
filled and some idea of the meaning Of
this may be gained by the knowledge
that the Coliseum has a seating capacity
of 10000. And in addition to the myriads
who choked and crowded every available
space many more, estimated at 5000 in
number, were gathered about the en-
frances during the greater part of the
oring for admission.
Like yesterday this has been a day of
remarkable demonstrations of enthu-
siasm, but the pinnacle of emotional ex-
preston was reached in q scene wonder
full in its presentation, remarkable in its
spontaneity and unprecedented probably
in any similar gathering of a political
party.
There had been an outburst of enthusi-
asm stirring to behold when David b.
al off Quit IN
antagonism to the platform presented by
the committee Or resolutions; the vast as
semblage had listened to sensational
speech by Senator Tillman replete IN
imprisoned expression and incrimlna-
ton of President Cleveland, and had
shown approval and disapproVai py
cheers and Kisses. But when Wlllam y.
BRYAN, handsome, vigorous and mag
netic, and not unlike Mckinley In voice,
infection, facial expression, concluded
the effort of his life in support or the
free coinage platform there occurred
one of those scenes which SENDS the piooo
coursing fast through the veins OF even
the most passive spectator and remain
fixed in the memory for life time.
Like the terrible premonitory rumpling
that gives warning of the approach Oh
10000 cattle stampeded delegates ana
spectators began the ovation 80 tne
young Nebraskan. And then the volume
of sound grew and grew until 1t couiu
grow no more, and enthusiasm Went
| mad as Bryan, in his passage down the
aisle toward the Nebraska seats, was
caught in the whirlwind of frenzied men
and lifted on the shoulders Oh the ueie-
gates. From floor to gallery the waves
of applause swept, and back again from
gallery to floor, and when the shouting,
Yelling cheering masses fell pack e1-
hausted William ]. Bryan had peen cast
into the arena of presidential nope as d
full-fedged candidate 1or MS PARTY
nomination. r,,,
An attempt on the part of Senator TIL
man to have the convention condemn
President Cleveland and his adminlstra-
tive policy had been frustrated by manly
protests from Senator Jones ana MT.
BRYAN. who, though admitting they were
anti-admiuistration in their views, de-
cried any abuse of the man who had
been twice the choice of their party
Senator Tillman, admonished by the
cheering which gave commentator TO
the remarks of Jones and Bryan WIFI
drew his resolution. ,
Al night the candidates for the nomi-
nation were named by noted orators, ana
the usual demonstrations 1onoWeo.
Bland was cheered to the echo, anu
scene of the widest enthusiasm ehsueu
when Senator Vest mentioned MS hanie
at the end OF the nominating speech.
Rrvan. suddenly injected into the list
Of proha bilities by his speech OF the
morning, was put before the conventio y,
in the maiden effort of Delegate II. L.
Lewis of Georgia, who established
renutation for natural oratory in the rev
brief momer $ he took for the purpose,
and equal to the demonstration for Brand
was that which followed the Georgia
delegates address.
A girl in white. frantic In her enthusi-
asm for Horace Boies, leaped to chair
i'm the gallery and waved a Boies banner
with frenzied vehemence, and nearly
every man in the vast hall, whether from
eallantry or actual sympathy, rose ana
cheered with a right good Will. Anu
when the. pretty young woman, swaying,
jumping, clapping her hands and giving
vent to her emotion in diverse ways.
marched through delegates and specra-
tors with the Boies standard above her
head the audience caught the full spirit
Of her enthusiasm and shouted approvai
with might and main. u.,u,.,,,v
Until late in the night these stirring
scenes continued and the thousands
Gathered under the vast expanse OF IRON
Canopy never seemed to tire OF using tneir
lungs.
.r,rvTT. AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.