The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-07-10
GREET A LIVE ISSUE
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE


of Sousa's Stars and Stripes" march,
and the triumphant yell rose louder and
louder.
From the high steel girders, unseen was
lowered a gigantic flag, almost large
enough to cover an acre, it seemed, and
its noble and impressive proportions made
the blood thrill with patriotic fervor. 1t
bore several sentences painted in enor-
nous letters, as follows: Governments
derive their just powers from the consent
of the governed" THE Constitution and
flag, one and inseparable, now and for
ever" The flag of a republic forever, Of
an empire never" "A republic can have
no colonies"
There was a mOmentary lull as the
cheering thousands glanced at the gigantic
emblem, and its significant sentences, and
then the demonstration was renewed with
apparently exhaustless energy. 1t was an
nounced in musical phrase that there
would be "A Hot Time in the Old Town
Tonight" and a moment later the band
made 5000 pulses beat faster with yam
kee Doodle" Then the music changed to
the stately chorus of America" The
yells lessened and died away. and in their
place there rose the swelling of human
voices singing in majestic chorus.
With prearranged care, huge signs and
blackboards appeared bearing words OF
jefferson and Lincoln, and emphasizing
the dangers of drifting from the anchor
age of the republic. The Wyoming dele
CATION produced a large picture OF Bryan.
Texas elevated a Autograph of him, above
the pair of horns which crowned its stand
ard and Kansas placed his picture in the
center Of a wreath of sunflowers. Around
the pit of the amphitheater a struggling,
bowling procession of standard-bearers
passed, while large silk banners from Cal
ifornia, Michigan, Nebraska, and Hawaii
added their color to the mass of still wav-
ing flags. After twenty minutes or more
there came a Iull. AT that mOment-and
this again showed that there was guild
ing hand upon the helm-an enormous
Boer flag was suddenly flung TO the breeze
Its appearance was an inspiration for an
other outburst, when the same wild scenes
OF unrestrained enthusiasm were repeated
Here then, was the climax Of the cOnven-
ton. 1t was born of the fact that silver,
though dignified in the platform, with spe-
cifC declaration to Oblige one man, was
not the issue that stirred human hearts.
The effective recital of the forceful, pos
tive utterances in the opening paragrap hs
OF the platform had wrought the vast au-
dience into sympathetic mood, and they
responded with the remarkable demon
stratiOn already described.
When Senator Tilman read the silver
clause there was some cheering by Ne
braska, Colorado, and Missouri, but a
large majority Of the members of the del
egates remained quietly in their seats. No
better evidence could have been asked. If
any had been needed, Of the Overwhelming
desire Of the convention TO let the silver
ques JiOn drop in the middle Of the sea
Webster Davis a Democrat.
Another object lesson brought forward
| to emphasize Imperialism was the ap-
! Tsarance on the stage, Immediately after
| the adoption Of the platform by accIa-
/ nation, Of Webster Davis, until recently
/ AIcKinley's Assistant Secretary Of the In
/ terror. A Republican by birth and in
! stinct and training, Mr.. Davis to-day
made public and formal Acknowledgement
! Of his purpose 10 support the nominee and
/ ticket OF the Democratic party, because
\ that party stood as he expressed IL. on
1 the side Of liberty and OF patriotism. Mr.
/ Davis whose devotion 10 the BOer cause
/ has led him 10 change his politics, faced
! an audience largely composed OF those
4 who know him personally, being a either
OF Kansas City and al one time its may.
| or. His reception was most cordial, bu'
| when he declared himself a convert a
! the Democratic party In a speech chs r
| acteristically rhapsodical and liberal,y
grooming with sympathy for the Beers
the delighted delegates shouted for yer,
10Y There was something encouraging
10 them on the knowledge that while II
1896 Democrats walked out Of the party
in 1850 Republicans walked in To Mr.
Davis, therefore. the right hand OF Eel
lowship was extended. not only figura
lively but literally. for Chairman Jones
Senator Tillman. and others crOwde,
around him and cordially grasped him b,
the hani.
Hills Return To the Field.
!. Where Webster Davis stood and LITE
his fearful voice. David Bennett Hill.
few minutes later, appeared TO second tn