The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-07-09

Chicago July I'm the magnificent
and spacious coliseum i'll Jackson park,
beneath clear skies, a cool, invigorating
breeze swapping at the flags and trap
pings and the blue waters of Lake Mich
igan stretching away to the north. the
Democratic national convention met to-
day.
After brief but decisive battle the sill
yer men demonstrated their supremacy.
They wrested from the hands of the gold
phalanXes the control of the convention
and gathered the reins of power into
their own hands. There was a remin-
iscence of that other great coliseum,
whose fall marked the destruction of an
empire, where men were butchered to
make a Roman holiday, about it all. a
champion who has so often entered the
lists to do battle in Democracy's cause
amid the ringing shouts and the wild
acclaim of his party was put to the sword
that silver might be supreme. 1t was
with reluctance that many of the friends
of Senator David Bennett Hill turned
their thumbs downward, as the arrogant
patricians of the empire that ruled the
world did when the populace cried for
mercy.
But, like the gladiators who entered
the arena to the blare of the trumpet and
the clang of steel, the silver men beat
back their sympathies and hardened their
hearts that the issue might be squarely
drawn and decided, even though it in
volved the doom of one whom they had
delighted to honor in the past. By one
of those strange fateful condolences, it
was Senator John w. Daniel of Virginia,
who four years ago at the wigwam NOM
mated Mr.. Hill for the presidency, who
was selected to give the fatal blow to
the man whom he would have exalted
to the first place in the republic. No
more eloquent commentary ON the rev.
olution which has divided the party and
made this convention so memorable could
be urged. 1t was not without a wall of
agony, however, that some of the mas
tiers, who could not fathom the mysteries
of political maneuvering and the necessity
of grinding men beneath the heel, saw
the champion whose slogan and proud
est boast was, Il am a Democrat" go
down. Even after Senator Daniel had
reached the platform and assumed the
gavel they called loudly for the defeated
leader, but the experienced general, who
has tasted the bitterness of defeat be-
fore, as well as the sweetness of victory,
only smiled grmly.
This was the first result of this re-
markable convention, which is ready to
sacrifice all else that the white banner
of silver may float about the party as
its ensign and rallying cry. The conven-
ton itself was most inspiring sight.
Never before since the present system
of national conventions was inaugurated
by the old "National Republican" party
in Baltimore in 1881, has a convention
met in such a capaciOus and admirably
adapted structure.
On the side where the platform and
press benches are situated the galleries
rise one above the other, sheer from the
floor, while in front, from all sides of
the rallied enclosure where the delegates
sit, each state marked by the neatest of
staff, is slope forming wilderness of
seats in gentle terraces to the most re-
mote limits of the coliseum, which are
400 feet in direct line from the chair
mans table. The acoustic properties of
the buildings are so perfect that every
word could be distinctly heard. The dec
orations were simple, but effective. From
the left Orders, which hold up the arched
roof, fiutter gay trappings. The galleries
in front are entwined with national col
ors, while at regular intervals large cray
on portraits of the patron saints of the
party, Jefferson, Jackson and others, look
down upon their successors to their faith.
A large portrait of Mr.. Cleveland was
off on one side, the only one displayed of
a living Democrat. With the vast space
almost to the outer walls with forest
of people, an unusually large number of
attendants being ladies, the scene was a
brilliant one.
There was no demonstration for any of
the candidates, but leaders like Hill and
Whitney of New York, Senator Black
burn of Kentucky, Ex-Governor Russell
of Massachusetts, Harrity of Pennsyl-
vania were the recipients of individual
ovations.
The followers of both sides took every
opportunity to cheer their champions.
There were many distinguished leaders
among the delegates on the floor, like
Senator Jones of Arkansas, exGov-
ernor Flower, Frederick p. Coudert and
ex-Mayor Grant of New York, Senator
White of California, Governor Culberson
and Ex-Governor Hogg of the Lone Star
Corkle of West Virginia, John r. Nc
Lean, Allen w. Thurman and Tom l..
Johnson of Ohio, John E. Hurst of Mary
land, E. p. Howell and his son, Clark
Howell. of Georgia, Senators George and
Walthall of Mississippi, Senators Vest
and Cockrell of Missouri, Governor Alt
geld of Illinois, John /. Waller of Con-
necticut, Senator Gray of Delaware, Sen
ator Blanchard and Judge McEnery of
Louisiana, Senators Bate and Harris
of Tennessee and host of others.
On the platform were the members of
the national committee.
Among the distinguished guests seated
in the rear were a number of gold lead
ers, who have been conspicuous in pre-
vious conventions, but who were swept
aside by the silver cohorts in their states.
These included Gen. Gordon of Georgia,
Senator Lindsay of Kentucky, ex-Con-
gresham Cultivate of Ohio and others.
But strangest of all, on the platform
of a Democratic convention were the
little coterie of silver senator's who bolt
ed the convention at st. Louis.