St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1900-08-18
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
w.
of Hope-Enthusiasm Over Anti
Imperialism and Bryan.
Especial Correspondence

City when compared with the republi
can performance at Philadelphia.
The latter was boss-ridden from
yention no man, nor even any set d
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 a:
the paramount issue" called forth G
flag demonstrat ton unequaled in the
history of national conventions
Among the democrats there was nc
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
a, 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-
ssa'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
G a 0f haroo ap1 orf IN
every citizen who wants good govern
ment and who knows that it never can
be compassed under 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.
It 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.
The Anti-ImperiaIism 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 waszthe most en- 'husiastic polit-
ical convention ever ED in the coun-
try. 1t was at the same time the
most earnest and sincere. s.u
The outburst of enthusiasm over
the anti-imperialist plank in the plat
form was entirely spontaneous. 1t
i. 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 assemblage
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-
ination of Bryan. .-l.,s.
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-
yention could not bring itself back
10 the transaction of routine busi-
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 Il question of the best
Judgment of the convention. The
nomination gives satisfaction all
around. Stevenson adds strength to
the ticket III the great middle west
ern states, where the battle is being
: fought and where the decisive vote is
10 be cast He is a thorough demo-
crat, loyal to the platform and dee
voted to Bryan. Mr.. Towne. while
deservedly popular, felt that his NOM
ination would not be the most adyis-
able one and will work as hard for
party success rs though he were Bry-
ans. running mate. Hills declination,
III course. put him out Of the race,
and il increased the chances of dem
oerat:c success. in New York state.
Had Hill been nominated New York
would have been torn asunder with
faeiiunal fights.
TIE democratic national committee
- p-aporinr .cffyalv far fha oayn