The St. Louis Republic., 1900-07-06

We're passed among the delegations. and
she whole floor Of the vast structure be-
came a sea of flags.
An instant later the flags swept over the
galleries like a mass of flame. Bundles OF
them were tossed up on the seats and dis
spring. and the great audience was
worked up TO fever heat. On each nag
'aThe CONSTITUTION and the Flag are In
ssparable, Now and Forever. The Flag
Of the, Republic Forever. Of an Empire
While the demonstration was at its
height the band sent another thrill through
the audience by playing Dixie and a
were again torn from their sockets. Ban
hers were raised. A triumphal procession
CT delegates marched about the hall.
My Country. 'Tis OF Thee" az which the
entire audience. as with a single voice,
joined in a mighty and swelling chorus.
Amid the bilowiDg of flags could be seen
tall standard bearing the inscription:
"Forcible Annexation Would Be Grim
tnal Aggression.-William Mckinney.
The Climax.
II was at this juncture that the climax
was sprung upon the assembly. A huge
flag had been flung across the roof between
two trusSes. and, as the signal was given:
the cords were cut. ard slowly IL unrolled
its white and crimson folds as ii fell grace
fully and hung over the platform: shShtly
The banner was enormous affair, fully
fifty feet long and about one-halt as wide.
lowing sentences in large letters of blue:
Constitutional Governments Derive Their
Just Powers from the Consent or the Gov
erned.''
.-The Constitution and the Flag. One and
Inseparable. Now and Forever"
The Flag OF a Republic Forever, Of an
Empire Never"
"A Republic Can Have No Colonies"
To the vast majority of those present tbs
pearance was the signal for a frantic roar,
which caused everything that had gone
before 1t 10 sink into insign.f1cance For y
full two minutes the cords Of the nag caught
and would not permit il 10 fall to its full
length. 1t was caught up just enough to
prevent the convention from reading the In
scriptions upon the hammer. and. until they
were released and the banner swung free,
the enthusiasm increased every second.
When. finally. every word was visible, there
was a climax of cheers that was defeaning-
Senator Tillman stooj surveying the storm
and awaiting AN opportunity to proceed.
The chairman pounded his gayel and ap-
pealed for order. But the march of the del
egates bearing their standards and banners.
ran on unintertuptsdly for twenty-five min
utes.
As Senator Tillman was about to resume
he remarked that the thread of his discourse
they had a habit OF saying Hell has broken
loose in Georgia" And" added the Sena-
tor. vociferOusly. .'if Mark Hanna had been
thought he'll had broken loose in Missouri"
Other Plank. Cheered.
There were cries of "Good"' "Goodr'
when the trust plank was read. When the
Senator reached the affirmation of the
Chicago platform. with the declaration for
free silver coinage at ratio or 10 TO 1,
pandemonium again broke loose Brt the
demonstration was faint in comparison to
what had just occurred.
When Imperialism was announced as the
paramount issue many of the delegates
stood on their chairs and waved flags and
cheered. but very considerable number
more than half-held their seats.
Senator Hill was among those who main
tanned quiet. while Mr.. Croker waved n
flag until IL broke. and George Fred Will
Jams led the Massachusetts, contingent in
salvos of cheers. One OF the New YORK
delegates raised a standard bearing the
inscription:
-"Don't Think There Are No 1s-to-r'ers in
New York
The demonstration lasted four and one
half minutes.
There was intense scorn IN the Senator's
voice as he read the platform arraiSnment
of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, evoking
mingled laughter and applause.
The Boer plank brought out another
cheer. and the Senator received a round OF
applause as he closed. His voice through
out was admirable. and he made hfmseif
heard throughout the vast hall. His read
ing too was forcefui and effective.
Adopted by Acclamatfon.
When the applause had subsidized. Chair
man Jones of the Resolutions Committee
said he had been instructed TO move that
the platform be adopted by the convention
by acciamation.
The motion was put. and. amid a roar OF
cheers and applause. the PLATFORM was
adopted without "A word of dissent The an
nouncenent of Chairman Richardson Of tho
adoption o fthe platform was followed oy