The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-10
POPULISTS AT SIOUX FALLS.
FUSION CONVENTION CALLED TO
ORDER BY BUTLER.

braska Had the Largest DeIega-
tiOn There-Convention Welcomed
by Gov. Lee-Butler Urges Avoid
unce of Mistakes OF 1896.
Sioux Falls, S. D., May s-The Ma
tional Convention of the Peoples party
began business at 2:20 o'clock to-day in
the big tent wigwam in Sioux Falls.
There have been larger crowds in at
tendance upon National Conventions and
possibly more enthusiasm, but seldom
more evident sincerity of purpose or more
pronounced decorum of behavior.
The big tent was arrayed in full dress
attire for the reception and entertainment
of its guests and the structure proved in
every way equal to the service required
of it. The naturally leaden outline of
the wigwam walls was broken on the
west side by silhouette of trees cast
unon the canvas and presented series
of lfelike pictures. There was lavish
display of notional colors.
Accommodations proved exceptionally
good. Acoustic properties and lighting
and ventilating facilities were all first
class. The weather was IDEAL
There were probably 500 delegates in
their seats and surrounding them there
was fringe of alternates and visitors
numbering 600 to 800. Seats had been pro-
vided for a much larger number. but what
was lost in attendance was compensated
for in enthusiasm
There was applause at every least provo
cation. United States Senators Butler,
ALLEN and Heitfield received liberal greet
ing, while Senator Pettigrew was over
whelmed by the cordiality of the welcome
accorded to him. Generous applause
greeted mention of Mr.. Bryan. Gov. Lees
reference TO the Beers and the F'ilipinos
was cheered to the echo.
Representative Gathering
The audience was a representative
American gathering. Probably nine-tenths
of the delegates and far more of che visi-
tors were from the Northern Mississippi
Valley states. Few of the picturesque
character of the st. Louis Convention of
1886 were present, but there were some
broad-brimmed hats there from Texas and
tho Southwest There were also OCCASION
al "whiskers,' but even these seem to
have thnned out in the party
The presence of a number of ladies was
noteworthy. Colorado led the list in the
number of female delegates. three being
present frcm that state. They were given
front seats. Kansas, Idaho and the Dis
tIict of Columbia also sent lady delegates
1t was but a few minutes after
O'clock the hour set for. the
opening of the convention, when
Chairman Butler of the National
Committee, attended by Secretary A. ].
Edgerton of Colorado and George F.
Washburne of Massachusetts, stepped
upon the platform at the hall and took
his seat at the speakers desk, and at 2:17
o'clock he called the National PopuIist
Convention to order. Delegates, and al
ternates meantime had been filing stead
lily into the hall and seeking the chairs
around the stats bearing the names of
their respective states.
The arrangements were perfect and the
seating was done without the slightest ev-
idence of confusion. All the DELEGATIONS
entered quietly with the exception of
those from Minnesota and Nebraska, both
of which evoked much applause as they
came marching down the aisles The
Minnesota men carried banners and a large
shield upon which was inscribed Bryan
and Towne." large number of dele
gates carried tin horns and made their
presence manifest by earsplitting toots
The Nebraska men, by all odds the larg-
est delegation, having all the alternates
present came in carrying flags and elected
cheers.
After the band of the Fifty-frst Iowa
Infantry had rendered a patriotic selec-
ton Bishop O'Gorman read an invocation.
convention Then the band played med
ley Of patriotic airs amid deafening cheers
and waving of flags.
Chairman Butler then introduced the
Minnehaha Club, who sang a specially
written song whose refrain ran:
1.-THE sons of South Dakota will be there.
Second day of next November, foul or
fair"
As an encore they sang the Star
Spangled Banner"
The Convention Welcomed.
Gov. Lee of South Dakota on behalf of
his state, welcomed the convention in a
vigorous speech, in which he sketched the
Populist principles, asserted that four
years more of McKinleyism may forever
bury democratic government in America,
and eulogized Bryan as a standard-bear-
er. He referred 10 the splendid heroism
of the South African republics amid an
outburst of cheers.
The allusion 10 Bryan brought the dele
gates to their fee< in hurricane of
cheers and waving of flags, some en-
thusiastic delegates climbing on their
chains TO voice their approval.
Gov. Lee of South Dakota, said among
other things:
"At Omaha on July 4, 1892, the Peoples
party of the United States was born. It
was and is the natural and inevitable out
growth OF dominant monopoly. which evil
mas pecome 50 clear ana gross as 10 arouse
the Indignation Of every thoughtful man.
The great movement Of that and pre-
Vious years arose from agricultural dis
content. II was induced by bank and rail-
road eXtortion, chattel mortgage slavery
and brutal disregard by public servants of
the interests of the foundation class of our
industrial structure. II grew In response
10 the great natural Law OF resistance to
tyranny, TO the same patriotic impulse
which produced the American Revolution,
the French Revolution, and every other
profound protest of the people for their
rights 1t Is seen to-day in the splendid
heroism of the South African republics
and the refusal Of the Filipnos TO accept
the American yoke bought from Spain.
Let us pray that concealed in its body
Is new and bett% republic than the
world has ever known and that the doc
trines of jefferson and Lincoln may be
re-established and made eternal"
Senator ButIer'A HesnOnnc.