The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-03

; ~ - GIL VftI ALsC III tLAA
tie. enthusiasm that they display after ar
K,ySas Is that St is not inspired by the per-
.~EonaIity OF candidates, the hope of reward
Or sven the possibility of success. The
great body of delegates do not care who
is nominated 50 that they be clean and
honorable nlers; they understand perfectly
well that there can h. in it no opportunity
for political adyS ncemen or personal ag-
grandizement ana they understand just as
well that they cannot hope TO elect the men
they nominate at this convention. The one
thing that draws them together is the hope
OF saving themselves and the country from
the disastrous results that would follow
upon the success of the reckless Chicago
platform and the belief that they are fur
thering a movement that will preserve the
integrity and dignity of the Democratic
party.
GATHERING AT THE HALL.
Promptly at IL o'clock the doors leading
to Tomlinson Hall were opened, but adj
mission was confined under strict orders to
ucket-holders. They arrived rather slowly
at first. Ejaculations of surprise were
heard as the early corners surveyed the
beautiful decorations of the hall. A pro-
fusion of flags, bunting, gilt and green met
the eye. The balcony, which hangs over
three sides of the hall, with a background
OF white, was studded with red, white and
blue shields, alternating with gold wreaths
containing the names of the States. Great
streamers of national colors depended in a
canopy from the ceiling, and the back
ground Of The stage was a mass of fags and
bunting. Potted plants, trailing ropes of
snnilax ard green moss relieved this bright
effect in the colors. The gold in the decora-
lions was most conspicuous. A gold eagle.
with xUinoS
sunburst Immediately over the platform.
where foated portraits of Tilden. Hen
bricks, Jefferson, Jackson, Cleveland and
Mcdonald in golden frames. while from
the platform waved a huge bunch of golden
rod. A band was located in the upper gal
lery at the rear of the hall. Many of the
early arrivals in the galleries were ladies.
Mrs. Hendricks, the widow of the late Vice
president, was one of the first of the dis
Ilngu1shed personages to appear in the
seats reserved in the rear of the stage.
The arrival of the Alabama delegation,
with a huge purple banner, was the signal
Tor the first outburst of applause. On the
banner was the State shield, beneath
which was the words, Here we rest re-
calling the old legend of the Indians who.
driven piteously from the North. weary
and footsore, finally settled in the terri
tory, now Alabama, which, translated,
gives the motto of the State. The Alabama
Marching Club, which had already entered
with a flare of trumpets, gave three cheers
as their banner appeared. "Hurrah for
Alabama they shouted, while from
across the hall came the cry, What's the
matter with old Kentucky?'' The band
then answered with a stirring medley of
popular airs and Immediately thereafter
fha 6n1Apntno bnuap N rr;.v;, YTl1,r 80
ceived enthusiastic receptions. General
Bragg, as he moved to his seat in the ex-
IRENE left, at the head of the Wisconsin
delegation, was uproariously applauded.
When the Pennsylvania delegation filed
In shortly before noon there were cheers
for the Keystone State. Immediately after
ward, while the band was playing Dixie"
Col. w. c. p. Breckenridge, with snow
white beard and hair, entered at the head
of the blue grass delegation and the gal
leries again cheered. The entrance Of
Iowa brought the delegates to their feet.
The whats the matter man was present
and kept the delegates and galleries busy.
AS the hands of the clock approached II
Senator Palmer, of Illinois, chairman of
the national committee, made his way
from the rear of the States headquarters
to the platform. The galleries were about
III liz IL DOdy u Tie SIe
gates were in their seats. About 20 per
cent. of those in the galleries were ladies
The appearance of the Florida delegation,
a Cleveland banner and the other a gilded
alligator labeled "F1orida's Gold Bug"
produced quite a furry of enthusiasm, but
was drowned in the thunderous applause
which greeted the New York delegation.
Headed by Ex-Governor Flower and Cen
eral Tracey, they marched to their seats,
seventy-two strong, to continuous hand
clappipg. Each delegate had in his button
hole a spay of golden rod. The New Eng
land delegations, with many conspicuous
men among them, were also warmly re-
ceived. Massachusetts carried two silk
American flags and a State banner. Elk
Congressman Outhwaite, of Ohio. took his
place on the platform with Mr.. Bynum and
Secretary Wilson.
Among the distinguished visitors in the
seats in the rear of the stage were w.
Bullitt. of Pennsylvania; r. T.. Tyler, OF
Kentucky, who was a candidate for Lieu
tenant Governor with p. Wat Hardin Il
year ago; DR.. Everitt, of Boston, a college
professor and son of Edward 'Everitt;
Mrs. John NJ. Palmer and many others.
THE SESSION BEGINS.
Senator Palmer rose at 1890 and
struck the gavel. Thereupon most of
the delegates jumped to their feet.
shouting and waving their State
banners, ending the demonstration,
which was brief, by three cheers. The
white-haired Senator said that this was the
first Democratic national convention of the
year. and that He who knows all things
might look into the hearts of the assembly
and discern that its purposes were patri-
otto.
1T is fitting to call upon that omnipotent
power for guidance said Senator Palmer,
and presented Bishop White. of the diocese
OF Indiana. who read a brief prayer from
written manuscript held between the pages
of a prayer book.
After prayer, for which the delegates
rose, Senator Palmer asked that the secre-
tary read the call for the convention. and
came forward for the purpose. was recog-
nized by a breezy burst of handicap
ping. This applause punctuated every tell
ing point of the call during its %eading. es-
pecially the statement that the Chicago
platform was not entitled to the support
of the true Democrats. In reading the ref
erence to jefferson, Jackson and Cleveland.
Mr.. Cultivate put particular stress upon
MIR. ClevelaDd's name and brought the dele
gates to their feet with a tribute of cheers
louder than any which had gone before.
During the reading the Chicago Marching