The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-09-02

the golden rod having the front place
among the flowers.
The main body of the hall is occupied
by the delegates. the position of each
State being indicated by the usual car
Ike guidons-the name of the State being
painted in white letters ON a blue
ground. On the three sides of the hall
are galleries for the spseta tors, the
fronts Of these galleries being covered
with white calico, having the arms of the
nlted States at frequent intervals--the
spaces between being festooned neatly
with smiiax At the southern end of the
han was another smaller gallery also
decorated, which was occupied by a
band of music dht played popular airs
as the delegates were assembling.
Hanging high up over the platform was
the United States coat of arms on which
a golden eagle appeared TO be Tapping
his wings in triumph. To the right of this
were hung framed kkenesses of Jefferson,
Jackson and ex-senator Mcdonald, and to
the left pictures of Cleveland, Hendricks
and Tilden. The appearance of the hall
was, on the whole, very pretty and attrae-
tive, and there was a good deal of APP
plause and clapping as various prominent
Democrats entered the hall and took
their seats with their delegations.
Among those thus especially honored
We're Buckner and Breckenridge of Ken
lucky (the .'silver-tongued') But SEN
ator Palmer of Illinois came in unno-
ticed and took his seat among the dele
on which was imprinted likeness of
President Cleveland, with the motto,
"Florida's Candidate" was carried
through the hall by colored man and
was cheered frequently
All the delegates wore bright-colored
badges on the lapels of their coats-the
prevailing hue being golden yellow, and
many of them sported, in addition, twigs
of golden rod so that the character of
the convention was asserted in unmistak-
able character. Even the color of the
window shades was .'old gold"
The hour fixed for the assembling of
the convention was noon. but the passage
of the noon hour was only marked by the
rendering of "Old Hundred by the band.
At half-past twelve Senator Palmer, who
had taken a seat on the stage as tenn
porary chairman. rose and called the con-
vention to order He Said
Gentlemen-I have the honor, for the
to preside over the first National
Democratic Convention held in the year
1895. (Cheers.) The gavel will be in my
hands. however. but a moment. We are
assembled here high, noble, patriotic pur-
poses. Our earnest thought is to serve
our country. (Applause) And in the
cf that purpose we may appeal
to the Judge of all hearts. In order that
We may now appeal to the Great Mas
ter, the Great Giver, beg you to listen
to the invocation of Bishop White, of the
diocese of Indiana.
Rev. John Hazen White, Episcopal
Bishop of the Diocese of Indiana, then
advanced to the front and while the audi
ence reyerently rose and remained stand
ind, delivered the opening prayer, as fol-
lows
Oh God. Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ. our only Saviour, Prince of Peace.
give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
great danger the nation is in by our
unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred
and prejudice and whatsoever else may
hinder us from godly union and concord.
that so we may be of one heart and one
soul, united in one holy bond of truth and
peace, of faith and charity, and may we
with one accord unite for the good of the
country and that peace, happiness piety
and justice be established for all time.
Secretary Joseph H. Cultivate of Ohio.
Secretary of the National Committee,
read the call for the convention amid
frequent outbursts of applause. The
mention of President Cleveland's name
evoked special enthusiasm.
At 12:45 the roll call of States was be-
gun. Colorado and Montana responded
with only one delegate. Each State
Chairman responded for his delegation.
Nearly every response was that delega-
tions were full and many Others besides.
Nevada was absent. When New York
was called, the whole delegation of sew
enty-two rose in their places That was
their only response Ohio also stood and
was cheered. General Bragg responded
for Wisconsin and was eheered. Finally
Senator Palmer announced that forty
one States We're represented. The terri
tories were then called. Alaska respond
ed, also Arizona and New Mexico.
Senator Palmer called for a report of
the National Committee. 1t was made by
Mr. Brennan of Wisconsin. It recon-
mended that the rules of the last Demo-
cratic Convention, which, the report stat
ed, was held in 1892, should govern this
convention. It recommended ex-Gover-
nor Roswell P. Flower of New York for
temporary chairman, John R. Wilson for
secretary, and Walter Kessler
for temporary sergeant-at-arms.
=.
ed unanimously
Governor Jones of Alabama and George
Foster Peabody of New York conducted
Mr.. Flower to the platform When Mr..
Flower was presented, the. delegates
stood in their places and cheered. Gov
ernor Flower then began his opening
speech. He was applauded when he com
pared the Chicago Convention to the
march of Coxey's army. and was cheered
when he lauded Grover Cleveland. Gov
ernor Flower spoke as follows:-
This gathering is notice 10 the world
that the Democratic party has not yet
surrendered to Populism and Anarchy
The true principles of Democracy. ex-
pounded by Jefferson ana exemplified