The National tribune., 1900-06-28
FIRST DAY.

The National Republican Convention
| began its sessions at Philadelphia on
June 10. When, shortly after IL o'clock,
the band in the gallery awoke the echoes
| in the vast roof space, there were not
| more than 900 persons in the great audi
| toriun. But it was astonishing how rap
| idly the crowds began to arrive after that
hour. They poured in in steady streams
until they blackened the acres of seats.
An unusually large number were women.
The leaders were slow in arriving, and
| it was not until Senator Hanna put in his
appearance at 11:45 that the enthusiasm
of thousands was uncorked. He got q
cheer as he moved up the center aisle the
| full length Of the hall to the platform.
Gen. GrOsvenOr, the white bearded old
veteran, was Immediately recognized, and
he, too, got cheer.
Occupying seats upon the platform were
various persons who were to take an ac-
tive part in the proceedings, and others
foremost in the doingS of the party.
At 12:27 the first pronounced demon
StratiOn of the convention occurred. Gov.
Roosevelt came in through the main en-
He wore his Rough Rider hat and was in
Stantly recognized. \ deep, revcrberat-
ing cheer greeted him. Men jumped to
their chairs to cheer him and women fiut
tered their handkcrchiefs. Delegates
crowded forward to greet him as he moved
llFOuSn Ine press. lie LOOK MS seat lil-'
mCdiatcy in the rear of Senator Platt and
in front of Senator Dcpew.
Chairman Hanna lifted the unSainly
cayei and brought il down with Il reSound-
ing whack. Instantly all eyes We're riv-
cted upon him and wave of applause
;weDt the hall.
All bowed their heads reyerently while
Rev Mr.. Bolton read his prayer from
small slips of paper which he held in the
hollow of his hand.
The Secretary of the National Commit
tee. Col. Charles w. Dick, read the formal
call for the Convention. Then Mr. Hanna
addressed the audience.
SENATOR HANNA's SPEECH.
He extended congratulations on so fine
representation Of the Republican party,
eulcsized Philadelphia rs the cradle of
liberty, and greeted the delegates upon
the anniversary in Philadelphia of the
birthday of our party; noted the begin
ming of another great struggle, mentioned
Mckinley (which brought forth to their
feet shouting everybody in the hall), and
ended by thanking the members of the
committee for their support.
Senator Fairbanks moved that the Sc
lection of Senator Wolcott as temporary
chairman be approved and with unani-
nous voice the delegates so voted SEN
ator Wolcott, who was on the platform,
arose and came forward. The appearance
of the Colorado orator set the Convention
off like rocket. With pleasant nod of
Acknowledgement to Chairman Hanna,
who had introduced him, he turned and
addressed the Convention.
Mr.. Wolcott spoke for nearly an hour
and quarter with great forcefulness and
yet without apparent eXertioD.
There was applause for a sympathetic
reference to the Beers, spontaneous out
burst when he mentioned Mckinley's
name, and genuine enthusiasm for his
eloquent portrayal of the prosperity in the
country, summed up in these two sem
tences: 'There is not an idle mill in the
country today" and Wages were never
so high as they are a. present" He spoke
of the value Of the currency law, and the
triumph Of the gold standard, and the del,
that the Western Republicans were now
in harmony with their Eastern brethren
and that thousands of Republicans who
had left the party in 1896 were returning
home. There was no dscounting the feel
ing of the Convention in regard to the
Philippines. No half hearted, Indifferent
applause followed the declaration that no
foreign flag should ever float over the
Philippines, while the stirring eulogy of
the soldiers who are now battling in the
Orient fell upon sympathetic ears. Con
gratulations were showered upon MIR.
Wolcott when he concluded.
The call of States for the various com
mittees and the benediction of Rev Dr.
Levy, Chaplain of the first Republican
Convention, brought the session to a
close.