The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-23

entrance. being delegates llom lAc state
OF Colorado aud i've ln number, and
every one of them an orator.
AT 1I.D the lrst motion was maze in
the line of providing accommodations Tor
the chairman and officers. soon after
tn.s. some workmen hung over the railing
OF one oI the galleries "a fair-szed pic
mre of Abraham Lincoln. draped iu the
American nag, and the sight Of IL drew
ont the first manifestation OF applause
or interest that the convention had yet
given out.
other occasional cheers went up from
the same quarter OF the hall, and il was
ascertaincd that the provocauon for them
came from the receipt of successive telcr
grams to tho Texas delegates from the
home constituencies. urging them not 10
turn 20 the right or turn TO the left, but
keep TO the middle OF the road.
There were only three colored delegates
present These were. From Colorado,
a.. W ruford. from Georgia s. u. Wal
ton. and from Kansas. James Beck.
At l2 o'clock there was sun no sign Of
am organization of the convention. The
portion of the hall reserved for delegates
Mas then about two-thirds full. and there
were not hundred spectators in the
galleries.
Probably one-third OF the delegates were
iu their shirt-sleeVcs. and many women
not Delegates were seated among them.
The appearance OF TWO American flags.
borne by members of the Mississippi dele
cation. with the motto. NO tompro-
mise attracted attention and some
little applause.
When the Massachusetts, delegates ar
rived there were few cheers, and in the
mean tins banner WAS hung over
the railing behind the picture apparently
that of Peter Cooper. the New York mill
liOuaire and philanthropist, with the
motto from one of his letters or speeches.
National prosperity cannot be restored
by enforced idleness on a large portion of
the people"
Then also the members Of the Populist
National Committee and several dele
gates took seats on the platform. All
this time there was much cOmmotion IN
the Texas end OF the hail. and several
fiery delegates harangued their col
leagues.
Al 1890 O'Clock the convention was
called TO order by Mr.. Taubeneck the
chairman of the National Committee,
and Rev. W. Il. l.. Smith. of the Third
Baptist church OF St. Louis. offered
prayer.
Governor William Stone of Misso iri,
delivered an address or welcome. lie
said.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen Of tho
Convention:
81 come 10 extend a genuine ana hearty
welcome To- those hospitaliues pf the
State of which j have the nonor 10 q
the executive officer. Freedom of opiu-
ion. Of religion. political. and social. for
au other subjects. freedom of action so
long AS the exercise OF that freedom does
not disturb publ., order or intrench on
the just rights Of others. are cardinal
principles in our great governmental sys-
tenn. (AppiauscJ
"ln this state we seek 10 give 10 that
basic idea its best possible expression.
We differ as to methods. ana we differ
often as 20 policies and principles, bus
30 is 10 Doe deyouuy hoped that an OF us
are actuated by love of country and
by motives Of the greatest patriotism.
)ApplauseJ
You have met gentlemen, in a crucial
period as ] esteem iU. not only OF party
history. but of national history 10 would
he unbecoming Of me 20 make any sug-
gestion whatever as 20 the duty OF this
convention. / can, however without im-
prOprety say that I hope that every gem
tleman occupying a seat in this great
body will perform the important and re-
sponsible duty imposed upon him with an
eye single 10 the public good. 20 The
development OF his country, and the pro-
motion of the people and the glory Of
the republic"
pONNELLY RESPONDS.
Ignatius Dornelly. OF Minnesota. re-
spCnded TO Governor stones address Of
welcome lie spoke Of the different cit
les that had desired the convention. mem
ti0ning Chicago a. that "que71ly city Of
magnificent growth which IS miracle
of our American civilization But ST.
Louis was selected because IL was pre-
clniucnuy the heart and centre Of tho
American continent, the greatest body OF
agricultural and fertile lands on The face
OF the earth. Mr. Donnclly said that the
men OF Valley Forge had no more sub
limo ana Tremendous duty than We have
to-day. No man. however great. is worth
"a scintlla against the interests OF this
great party. Mr.. Donnelliy closed ~
making an eloquent appeal Cor unity.
Il stOoG." he said. "at the cradle Of the
old Greenback party (CheersJ J stood
at the cradle Of the Peoples party. God
forbid l should be here to-day 10 attend
its funeral Stand together, friends. Lift
up your hearts 10 the majesty and The dig
nifty Of the duties laid upin youu
shoulders.
Tho chairman asked such members OF
the Executive Committee as were I'm tho
body Of the hall 10 step up TO the plat
form. Among those who thus advanced
was Ms Mary Ellen Lease. who was
warmly cheered.
BUTLER TAKES THE CHAIR.
Chairman Taubeneck introduced as tenn
porary chairman of tho conventi0n Sena-
tor Marion Butler. of Nor.h Carolina.
who was received with three cheers.
which he characterized as "a cyclone OF
patriotism
All history taught. he said. and history
showed that there always came crises I'm
the affairs OF men when humanity was
raised 10 a higher level accordingly as
the men on whose shoulders the response
bihty rested were able 10 meet the crises
with wisdom and patriotism (chcers) and
10 solve IL 10 the betterment of human
ity, TWO principal parties. Ire said. had
held national conventions this year, had
adopted platforms, and had put forth their
leaders; and now another great political
party, young but CROWN. giant in
strength. had assembled TO speak TO the
American people in this critical and inn
pOrtant hour. Cheers.
The Popullsts were here because there
was need Of them TO Do here. The parties
that had had charge OF the Government
since the war had succeeded I'm bringing
the nation 20 the verge OF bankruptcy
and ruin. and had nccessitated the exist
ence of the Populist organization Tho
TWO parties had We'd with each other IN
"straddhng." and now strddliing was