The Norfolk weekly news., 1900-06-21

Fully two minutes IL tOOR 1or MIN 10
traverse the length Of the hall to his
place near the stage. AL that time the
roar followed him and the handkerchiefs
rose and fell like tho wings Of gulls
over summer sea.
But he made no sign that he realized
1t was all for him. When he took his
seat with his slouch hat still on, with
out having glanced to either side. the
people gave it mp and the cheering
gradually subsided But IL broke out
afresh moment afterward as the band
started up the "Star Spangled Banner"
Roosevelt, Of all the thousands, was
first upon his feet, standing erect, like
Norway pine, with uncovered head, to
the music of the anthem. Instantly
the whole convention arose en- masse as
if apologizing for their hardness. This
entrance Of Roosevelt into the conven-
tion 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 Its
eyes off him. In him the interest
seemed centered. During every pause
in the proceedings he was surrounded
by delegates and newspaper men anx
ious for word. To all he gave the
same answer. He was not candidate.
He did not want the nomination. Those
who wanted him nominated left him
saying he would not accept. and they
would nominate him whether he liked
1t or not. Those who did not want him
hastened to spread the report that ne
could not be moved
Chairman Hanna's reception when he
called the convention to order was fat
tering in the extreme and the smile on
his face expressed the pleasure it gave
him. But the JOY he experienced over
his own reception seemed nothing COM
pared with the delight he manifested
when for the III It time he mentioned
the presidents name. The convention
went off like a rocket. The applause
was deafening. Mr.. Hanna face was
picture 1t was wreathed in smiles.
He showed the ecstacy of JOY he felt
over the storm of approval he had
raised.
Many in that moment remembered
how the presidents Warwick had an
nounced a year ago that his ambition
would be satisfied and his cup of Joy
would be full when he called together
the convention that would renominate
Mckinley. Perhaps it was significant
that in his speech Mr.. Hanna made no
mention of Cuba or anything which
would furnish peg on which Roose-
! welt demonstration could be hung He
| addressed the convention as follows:
Speech of Chairman Hanna.
Gentlemen of the Convention: In
bidding you welcome l also desire to
extend congratulations upon this mag.
nifcent gathering of representatives of
the great Republican party. The ma
tional committee made no mistake when
| they brought the convention to the city
| of Philadelphia. This city, the cradle
| of liberty [applause[ the birthplace of
| the Republican party [applausel. this
| magnificent industrial center, a veritabie
bee hive Of industry, what filter object
lesson could be presented to those of US
who have gathered here to witness the
success of that principle of our party
which has been its foundation, the pro-
lection of American industries ap.
plausel This city that has been long
and always known the country over
for its unbOunded hospitality and the
superb management of all great func-
tions which have come within its limits.
"On the part Of the national commit
| tee l desire to extend their sincere
thanks to the people Of Philadelphia,
ocrapia11u tn IL
[applausel and the loyal citizens with
out regard to party who have labored
| with him to make this convention a
| success. Never in the history of con-
ventions of either political party has a
success been greater Delegates, greet
you on the anniversary in Philadelphia
of the birthday of our party. I need
not remind you that your duty here is
| one of deliberate judgment, one that
you are held responsible for, not only by
your party, but by the country. We
are called together once more upon the
eve Of another great struggle.
"We are now beginning to form our
battalions under leadership Of our great
statesman, General William Mckinley
[continued applause] was about to
give the order for those battalions to
move, but you interrupted me laugh.
teri 1t needs no order to Republicans
when they scent from afar the smoke of
battle; it needs no incentive for the men
that sit in front of me to tell them what
their duty is. Upon the foundation of
our party rests the belief and strength
of every member of it.
Before l lay aside my gavel and re-
tire from the position which have held
as chairman of the national committee
for four years, l desire, in this pres
ence, in the most public manner. to re-
turn my sincere thanks to every mem
Der of this splendid committee who
stood by me in the struggle of 1896, and
especially to that coterie who gathered
at the headquarters in New York and
Chicago and worked from early morn
ing to late at night for the principles of
the Republican party, and for the well
fare of the country. l leave it in the
han ndc of ofhora tn toll xuhat bas