Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-07-18
The Kansas City Convention.

qulverlng scenes, lmperlshaole In
thoughtful memory, for large and
intensely interesting crowds, the
democratic National Convention at
Kansas City never had its equal and
probably never will.
To give our readers an account of
every exciting scene and incident
enacted during the proceedings of
this great political sssemblsge will
take more space than We can spare,
so we will give what may be called
the supreme moments of the conven-
ton as observed by us.
The convention hall is a huge
structure, having a seating capacity
of $4,000; and at all sessions no seat
was vacant, besides the aisles were fill
ed with an impenetrsble, dense mass,
and on the outside was 6 clamoring
crowd of 10 or 20 thousand, seeking
a way for a position of vantage. AL
though the speakers rostrum was
placed In the centre of the hall, it
was with difficulty that speakers with
strong voices were able to be heard
all over the hall.
The most memorable, impressive
scene was enacted during the reading
of the platform. When Senator Till
man, with a sheer of defiance depict
ed on his lip, and appraised, clenched
hand, declared in a voice of thunder,
eve regarded it (imperilism) as the
paramount issue of the campaign"
there was a scene no living man ever
witnessed before. Tornado after tor
nado of applause crossed and re-
crossed that vast hall, carrying every
thing before it. The great hall shook
like an earthquake. Countless num-
bers of small flags were madly waiv-
ed, aud the delegates marched around
the centre of the hall, cheering as
they never did before, grasping each
others hands, and carrying their
States standard high in the air in
frenzy of delight. On their faces
was true exultation, beaming Joy,
a smile of new born confidence. They
recognized the fact that they had an
issue they could unite on, and they
cheered like they had never cheered
before. After continuing thirty min
utes, they gave way to exhaustion.
Then came the naming of Bryan
for the Presidency. Another scene
as described above followed. On all
sides were enthusiastic, cheering
thousands, and the deafening dim
rolled continuously and tumultously
for thirty minutes.
Another sublime moment was when
David B. Hill mounted the rostrum,
and amid thunders of applause, de-
clared with dramatic emphasis. at is
a time for unity, not for discord." 1t
was many minutes before Hill could
proceed again. The crowd for days,
during every lull, had called and
called for the Ex-senator. 1t was a
grand moment for him, and as the
applause swept over the house his
arch enemy, Croker, wore a discon-
certed, far away look. Hill was cas-
lily the most popular man that partic-
ipated in the Convention, and the
Kisses the Eastern papers reported he
received were from the silver repub-
loans and populists who occupied
seats in the galleries.
Another touching scene occurred |
when Kentucky's young Governor,
Beckham, was introduced to the Con-
Vention-there he stood, almost boy,
pale, yet clear cut, keen and fearless,
while applause rolled in thunder and
carried memory back to that dark
lay when Goebel fell-a victim of an
assassin's bullet.
Webster Davis conversion and
speech also electrified the crowd,
While to our mind it was tainted with
'ourness. Davis is an eloquent talk
#, but we fear, Judging from express
lions of residents of Kansas CITY. his
nfuense is not very extensive in Mis-
souri,. He should be brought East
Ind placed on the platform.
The democratic platform, with the
exception of the money plank and
everal minor matters, we consider
he grandest set of principles adopted
y party since the day of Jefferson.
Jlear-cut. nothing concealed or evad-