The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-20

lIcan national convention to order In the
Export Exposition building. in West Phil
adelphia. at r:s5 o'clock to-day. In the
valley below him were crowded the eight
cen hundred delegates and alternates. and
stretching away to the four corners OF
the immense hall were endless vistas of
people rising ia terraced seats to the walls.
He looked into the faces OF fully fifteen
thousand men and women. Opposite in a
broad gallery were massed a hundred
musicians. their leader a mere pigmy in
the distance. The platform on which he
stood jutted out like a huge rock into an
ocean of humanity. Below him and flank
ing the stage was an embankment thronged
with the Representatives of the press of
the country. &bove was "A riot of flags.
bunting. eagles, shields. the whole scheme
of the elaborate decorations eliminating i'm
a huge portrait of Mckinley nesting in
the graceful folds OF the American flag.
About him were the working leaders of
his party, and behind, among the digni-
taries and honOred guests OF the convenS
ton, were white-haired men who had been
present at the party's birth in this city
almost half a century ago.
II was not a riotous convention. There
were no wild ~outbursts of enthusiasm
from the frenzied partisans OF rival can
didates, no entrance OF delegations with
banners TO set the multitudes cheering, no
fierce skirmishing and clashing Of candi-
dates or managers over rules OF procedure,
and contesting delegations. The chieftain
In the coming battle had already been Sc
lected by the unanimous voice of the Re-
publicans Of the country. The man who
had stood at the helm of the ship of state
for four years was their unbroken choice.
The platform was the record of his admin
istration. The only question that remained
fer the convention TO decide was the vice
presidency, and it was not a sufficient bone
OF contention 70 produce the tumultuous
scenes which usually attend the assembling
OF a national convention. The convention
to-day was the dignifed gathering Of the
representatives OF the Republican party to
ratify formally the wishes Of the millions
whose authority they held.
TAME AT FIRST.
1t was very undemonstrative at first.
While the crowds and delegates were
crowding into the hall before the hour for
calling the convention to order a arrived
there were no wild greetings of party lead.
ers. A scattering applause met Mr.. Hanna
as he made his way to the stage. General
Grosvenor. Senator Lodge, Senator For
aker, Ex-senator Quay and a few others
aroused a fiuttering of handkerchiefs and
a round of handclapping, but men of ma
tional reputation, whose fame has spread
away from our shores across both oceans
entered without producing a ripple. Per-
haps most OF them were not recognized. 1t
seemed tame. There was only that indescrib-
able buzz OF myriads of voices which be-
longs TO a national convention, as the hum
ming OF bees belongs to a field Of clover in
summer, and 1t locke as though nothing
could g~aivanize the thousands into life.
But just before Chairman Hanna was
ready to drop his gavel Governor Roose-
welt entered and the vast audience was
electrified. He stalked In at the main door.
His Rough Rider hat signaled him out TO
the craning multitude. Seemingly the au-
disnce had been waiting for him and the
applause hat announced his appearance
swept over the vast amphitheater and
swelled into a great roar as he made his
way toward the seats of the New York
delegation. Senator Depew and Chairman
0dell. of the New York State committee.
were with him, but the crowd had eyes only
for the hero OF San Juan hill. No stage idol
ever made an entrance more opportune-
~ But he made no acknowledgment of the
ovation. His jaw was firmly set and he
came on through the press like a soldier
performing a duty. He did not even remove
his hat. but pushed his way through the
delegates who swarmed from their place
TO grasp his hand. Fully two minutes it
took for him to traverse the length of the
hall to his place near the stage. All that
time the roar followed him and the hand
kerchiefs rose and fell like the wings of
eulls over a summer sea. But he made no
sign that he realized 1t was all for him.
When he took his seat with his SLOUGH hat
stin on, without having glanced to either
s1de' the people gave it up and the cheering
gradually subsidized. But IL broke out afresh
q moment afterward as the bands started
up the "Star-spaneled Banner" Roosevelt.
OF all the thousands. was first on his feet.
standing erect, like a Norway pine, with
uncovered head to the music CT the anthem
Instantly the whole convention rose en-
mssse. as II apologizing for their tardi-
ness.
THE DRAMATIC FEATURE.
This entrance OF Roosevelt into the con-
venuon was distinctly the dramatic feature
OF the session Then the wheels began TO
move. but the convention under the spell of
his presence could not take it's eyes off him.
In him the interest seemed conferred. Dur
ing every pause in the proceedings he was
surrounded by delegates and newspaper
men anxious for a word. To all he gave
the same answer. He was not a candidate.
He did not want the nomination. Those
who wanted him nominated left him say
ing he would say accept and they would
nominate him whether he liked IL or not.
Those who did not want him FASTENED 20
spread the report that he could not be
moved into accepting.
Chairman Hanna's reception when he