The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1900-06-28
THE PHILADELPHIA coNvEN TON.
A Sketch of this great Political Gathering
by Frank W. Gowen.

A Sketch of this great Political Gathering
by Frank w. GOwen.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, June %, 1900.
The great national convention of the
Republican party has come and gone,
and it has stirred the country as no other
National Convention in American his
tory. Those who came to Philadelphia
from all parts of our nation to attend the
sessions of the convention looked upon
the largest number of voting Republi-
cans ever gathered as delegates and
visitors in any of the national conven-
lions of the party during nearly half a
century of its existence. 1t was indeed
a wonderful sight to me, the lively
scenes around the depots and on the
streets as the delegates and clubs from
all sections, of the United States arrived
and were royalty welcomed and assigned
to their different headquarters by the
various reception committees. The grand
parade on Monday, June 18th was with
out doubt the greatest political demon
stration ever held in our country. More
than 10000 men were in line and prompt
ly at p NJ. General Lewis Wagner,
grand marshal, moved this column from
York street and along Broad street,
which were lined with living wall of
humanity on either side as far as the
eye could see 1t was midnight before the
last column of the parade passed Hotel
Walton. Band after band leading poll
teal clubs played lively selections along
the route and shouts for Mckinley and
the great party which has brought
prosperity to a suffering people sprang
from the voices of the mighty throng
and rolled on and on like wave after
wave of the ocean. Flags We're every
where proudly waving i'll the air, and
how beautiful they looked under the
AS | thought of the question our Pres-
dent asked in one of his great speeches:
''Who would haul down the flag" the
tears filled my eyes and | recalled these
Deduluul lines.
Glorious old hag-rase it high
Not Yet is its spirit spent.
Let it Sing to the wind and the sky
The truth what it always meant
Let it sing of the birthright of man,
OF progress that never can lag.
Let it sing that trade may 90 DER the sea
wherever ii can.
But that freedom and Justice must follow
the flag.
Just before the parade | visited the
Maine headquarters at the Hotel Wal
ton and shook hands with Congressman
Burleigh. Hon. J. II. Marley and others
of the. delegation. and was very glad
indeed to meet the men from the dear
old state and we remained nearly an
hour with the Maine delegation.
At 1880 p. m Tuesday the National
Convention was called to order by
National Chairman Hanna in the great
airy, cool, and well lighted Exposition
hall The rational colors were every
where and the numerous flags and State
coats of arms were indeed suggestive of
patriotism. Pictures of nearly all our
Presidents and of many of the great
leaders of the Republican party were
hung on The walls. 1t was an inspiring
scene and one long to be remembered.
1t certainly verified the prediction of
Hon. Joseph II. Manley, who recently
said: THE Convention will be the great
est and most imposing ever held in the
United States by any political party"
After calling the convention to order,
Senator Hanna now stepped to the
front of the platform and addressed the
assembly in a speech of welcome.
eve are on the eve of another great
struggle he cried ALREADY we are
beginning to form our battalions, under
the leadership of our great statesman
General William Mckinley" At the
mention of our Presidents name there
was an uproar of enthusiasm. Delegates
and visitors We're on their feet in a vast
cheering, tumultuous sea of humanity.
The great feature of the day, however,
was the speech of the temporary chair
man, Senator Wolcott of Colorado and
it was indeed a masterpiece of eloquence
This great orator fifty portrayed the
enormous growth of our exports, dur
ing the present administration, the
general advance in wages and prices,
and the settlement of the currency
question by statute after 30 years of
agitation and uncertainty.
In the evening great mass meeting
was held in the Academy of Music
which was thronged with delegates and
their friends. The speakers of the even
ing were Congressman John Dalzell of
Pennsylvania, General Grosvenor of
Ohio, Senator. Thurston of Nebraska.
Senator Penrose of Pennsylvania and
others. In front of the academy also
speakers addressed the throng, while
band was playing at the entrance of Ho-
tel Walton. Senator Wolcott's gavel fell
at 1870 P. NJ, Wednesday and the sec
ond days session Of the great conven-
ton was called to order Immediately
the band started up the Star Spanglad
Banner" and the vast audience arose