The Winslow mail., 1900-08-23
FROM KANSAS CITY.
Notes of the Democratic Convention
by Our Washington Cor
respondent.
Contrast Between the Democratic
National Convention and the Re-
publican Performance-A Message
of HOpe-Enthusiasm Over Anti
Imperialism and Bryan.
Especial correspondence

Especial Correspondence
No sharper contrast could be i'm
agined than that shown by the demo-
cratic national convention at Kansas
City when compared with the republi-
can performance at Philadelphia.
The latter was boss-ridden from
start to finish. In the democratic con-
ventlon no man, nor even any set OF
men dictated the proceedings.
In Philadelphia the reading of the
platform was received with apathy
and Indifference.
At Kansas City the platform was re-
ceived with unbounded enthusiasm.
The plank naming imperialism as
the paramount issue" called forth
flag demonstration unequaled in the
history of national conventions.
Among the democrats there was no
cut-and-drieu platform. The commit
tee on resolutions held fourteen
hour session, listening to all shades
of opinion on the vital issues. The
platform itself was written only three
hours before it was presented to the
convention. 1t satisfied everybody.
The republicans brought their
white-house- manufactured platform
to Philadelphia and then the leaders
quarreled among themselves until
the platform has become a public
scandal.
Hope and Harmony.
The democratic platform is an ap-
plication of the spirit of the Declara-
tion of Independence and the letter
of the constitution to the new and
momentous issues which have arisen
in the past three years. 1t is a mes
sage of hope and encouragement to
every citizen who wants good govern
ment and who knows that it never can
be compassed under a second term of
this administration.
The temper and atmosphere of the
democratic convention was very sig
nifcant. There were gathered not
only delegates from widely separated
sections of the country, but also men,
united as to the necessity for govern
mental reform, but differing widely
on many details of the campaign.
1t was a convention where dissen-
sion might easily have gained foot
hold, unless repressed by some higher
and stronger sentiment There were
no bosses to keep up an appearance
of surface harmony, without regard
to the real feeling, as at the republi-
can convention. Everything was open,
above board and spontaneous at the
democratic convention.
TIE INSTRUMENTATION Plank.
Those who came to criticise admit
ted that all minor differences were
shelved in the face of the serious is
sues to be met.
1t was the most enthusiastic polit-
zeal convention ever held in the coun-
try. 1t was at the same time the
most earnest and sincere.
The outburst of enthusiasm over
the anti-imperialist plank in the plat
form was entirely spontaneous. 1t
was 80 minutes of flag waving, cheer
ing. marching, waving of banners and
singing of patriotic songs. There was
something awe-inspiring in the con-
temptation of that vast assemblace
set wild by an enthusiasm as grim
and earnest and irrepressible as that
of the Crusaders of old. 1t was the
protest of the flag itself against i'm
perialism.
Enthusiasm Over Bryan.
The fact that the nomination of
Bryan was expected did not lessen
the enthusiasm. The demonstration
at the mention of his name showed
how thoroughly he has fixed his place
in the hearts of the people as the
leader who is as great as his oppor-
tunity. There was affection and ad-
miration and trust and loyalty in the
enthusiasm which marked the NOM
inAtiou of Bryan.
AT Philadelphia Mark Hanna had to
force some shadow of enthusiasm for
the name of Mckinley. His puppets
creaked when they clumsily obeyed
his signals, and the hollowness of the
whole farce was apparent to the most
casual observer
When Bryan was nominated the
cheering and waving of flags lasted
so long that it seemed as if the con-
ventiOn could not bring itself back
to the transaction of routine bust
ness.
StevensOn's Nomination.
The nomination of the vice pres
idential candidate showed how thor
oughly democratic was the Kansas
City convention. An hour before
Stevenson was nominated. no leader
and no delegate could tell whether
it would be he or Towne or Hill. 1t
was simply a question of the best
Judgment of the convention. The
nomination gives satisfaction all
around. Stevenson adds strength to
the ticket in the great middle west
ern states, where the battle is being
fought and where the decisive vote is
to be cast. He is a thorough demo-