The herald., 1896-09-03
AFTERNOON SESSION
After Some 0rstery Senator caffsry Is cho,en
Chairman

was 4.lo Wnen the temporary chairman,
Mr.. Flower, appeared on the platform
| to call the afternoon session of the con-
vention. Both he and Senator Palmer
also sat upon the platform and were
+, warmly greeted, and an enthusiastic
Illinoisan called for three cheers for
John M. Palmer, ''the grand old man."
These were given with effect. There was
no demonstration as the conspicuous
men entered. The galleries were more
crowded than at the frst session, and
the proportion of ladies was fully as
large. At 4:55 ex-Gov. Flower raped
| for order.
The reports of the committees were
called. The report of the committee on
| credentials was first presented by Chair
man Brennan of Wisconsin. The state
ment in the report that there were S24
delegates to the convention, represent
ing forty-one states and three territor-
les, was heartily applauded. The report
Of the committee on organization not
being ready, DR.. Everett of Massachu-
setts was introduced to the convention
and made a stirring speech.
When DR.. Everett declared that Mass
achusetts was opposed to sectionalism,
and again when he said that the conven-
ton would uphold the bonds of Mr..
Cleveland for maintaining the credit of
| the nation, the delegates jumped upon
| their chairs and joined in stormy DEM
| onstration. Fans, handkerchiefs, flags,
| everything that was available, were
| waved amid frantic cheering. His touch
| ing reference to the sad death of ex- Gov.
William e. Russell of Massachusetts,
who he said, had died of broken heart
because of the folly Of his party at Chi
| cago was received with rousing cheers.
There were loud calls for Bragg, Villas,
Buckner and others when DR.. Everett
took his seat, but the committee on per-
manent organization was ready to pre-
sent its report. The report was read
by Delegate Roberts Of Missouri. 1t
recommended Senator Caffery of Louis
lana for permanent chairman; John H.
Wilson Of indianapolis, secretary, and
Walter Kessler of Indiana, sergeant
at-arms. 1t also recommended an order
of business. The report also recon-
| mended that the organization Of the
party be made permanent, and the COM
mittee be empowered to call future con-
ventions.
This met with warm response from
the delegates. The report was adopted,
| and Mr.. Bullitt of Pennsylvania and
Mr.. Lawler Of Minnesota escorted Sem
ator Caffery to the platform.
In assuming the gavel, Senator Caffery
gave proof that he is an impressive
speaker, clear in logic, bold in state
ment, emphatic in gesture. He referred
occasionally to his manuscript. The con-
vention listened closely and frequently
interrupted him by applause.
CAFFERY'S SPEECH.
Mr.. Caffery said in part: II tender
this convention my deepest thanks for
the high honor of selecting me to pre-
ways regard it as the highest honor ever
| conferred upon me.
Charged by our party with the juno
tion of ministering in it's temple of faith
and teaching the people its true doc
trines, our priests have desecrated the
affairs, broken its shrines and taught
false doctrines to the people. We now
enter the sanctuary of the temple and
take possession of the ark of the cove
nant of our faith. which we will here
after vigilantly guard and defend. We
will purify its desecrated affairs and re-
build its broken shrines, and, lest the
hearts of the people be stolen away from
true Democratic faith-the faith Of our
fathers and founders-we must separate
from our brethren who have wrought
this evil and from those who have fol-
lowed their evil teaching. We cannot
in tn a !, r.
for their feet are swift to destruction
and their way is the way of death.
II we do not look into evidence, the
Michigan frauds and other devious acts
and practices designated to pack the
| convention, the Chicago platform has
the stamp of our party and claims its
allegiance. But it Is a mere simulac-
rum; form without the substance of
Democracy and no Democrat is bound
by 1t, nor is 1t entitled to his fealty.
The declarations Of that platform are
open, palpable and fiagrant'' depart
ures from all that Democracy has stood
for They declare for the inflated and de-
preciated standard Of free silver at the
ratio OF Is to 1. They assail the right and
power of the executive to enforce the
law and to protect property under the
| control and in the custody of the fed
eral courts. They make an assault on
the constitution, the me-honored prin-
| ciples of the Democratic party and the
distinguished patriot and statesman
who has twice led it to the only vic
| tories it has achieved in thirty-six
years. 1t is the Ishmael of platforms.
1t raises its hand against some of the
principles of both parties and all the
principles of the Democratic party. 1t
is begotten Of unhallowed union be-
tween Democracy, Populism and an
archy; and that the scriptures may be
fulfilled, it may be fugitive and wan
derer on the face of the earth.
| Fellow citizens, we are no traitors
to our party. We are in the house of our
fathers. We cannot be driven from it.
We Will defend the honor of our coun-
try and the integrity of our principles
as long as life endures. We deem It
wise to pursue an aggressive rather than
a negative policy. We cannot, even to
escape as great evils as are the neces-
sary result of the Chicago platform, be
the executioners of our loved and ven
Grated party.
The election of Mckinley or Bryan,
with our support, would mean the des-
truction of our whole party for a gen.
GRAFTON. For, when our people recover