The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-07-08

day. After a brief but decisive battle in
the arena the silver men Indicated their
supremacy. They wrested from the hands
OF the gold phalanx the control OF the con-
vention. ana gathered the reins OF power
in their own hands.
There was a "Reminiscences OF that other
great Coliseum. whose fall marked the de-
straction of an empire. where men were
hufchered to make a Roman holiday. A
champion. who has so often entered the
lists TO do battle In Democracy's cause.
amid the ringing shouts and the wild ac-
claim of his party. was put to the sword.
that silver might be supreme. II was with
reluctance that many cf the friends OF
Senator David p. Hill turned their thumbs
downward as the arrogant patrtcians OF
the empire that ruled the world did when
the populace cried for mercy. But. like
the giadiators who entered the arena 10
the blare OF the trumpet and the elang OF
steel. the silver men beat back their SYM
pathles. and hardened their hearts. that
the issue might be sauareiy decided. even
though IL involved the doom of one whom
they bad delighted 10 honor In the past
BY a strange. fateful coincidence. II was
Senator John w. Daniel OF Virginia who
four years ago at the wigwam nominated
Mr.. Hill for the presidency, who was
selected to give the fatal blow 20 the man
whom he would have exalted 20 tho first
commentary on the revolution which had
divided the party and made this conven-
ton so memorable could he needed. II was
not without wall OF agony thas some OF
the spectators. who could not fathom ti1e
mysteries OF political maneryering and the
necessity OF grinding men beneath the
heel. saw the old champion. whose slogan
and proudest boast was II am Demo-
crat'' go down Even after Senator Dan
lei had reached the platform and assumed
the gavel. they called loudTy for the de-
feated feader. but the fallen leader. who
had tasted the bitterness OF defeat before.
as we'll as the sweetness OF victory. only
smiled grimiy. This was the first result
OF this remarkable convention. which Is
ready to sacrifice all else that the white
banner OF silver NAV float about the party
as its ensign and rallving cry.
The convention itself Was most inspsr-
ing sight Never before since the prese a /
system Of national conventions sas begun
BY the old National Republican party In
Baltimore ia 1Sa has.s convention me- In
such a capaci8us and admirably adapted
structure ON the north side. where The
platform and the press benches are f.in-
ated. the galleries arise one above the
other. sheer from the floor. while IN the
front from ali sides OF the raiiei enclosure
where the delegates sft. each state marx a
by the neatest Of STATS. slope away the
wilderness OF seats in gentle terraces 20
the most remote linits Of ihe Coliseum.
almost 40 feet IN direct line from the
chsirrnan's table The hands OF the big
clock opposite the platform cannot be dis
cernNd, yet the acoustic properties Of ne
building are so perfect that every word
eouid be distinctly heard. The decorations
are simple but Effective. From the lofty
piers which hold the roof fnster gay trap
pings The galleries IN front are entwined
with tho national eelors. while AZ reEaiar
intervals large crayon portraits 0f the
patron saints OF the party, Jefferson. jack
son and others. look down upon the slIc-
cessors of their faith A large portrait of
Mr.. Cleveland was OFT TO one eide. the only
one displayed Of living Democrat With
the vast space fiiIed alHorr 20 the outer
most walls with forest OF people, al IN
usually large number ~ whom were IA
dies. and the flags Of en;h1siasfs whirisng