The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-22

o--0N ILL DNN
ing how rapidly the crowds began to
arrive after that hour. The leaders
were slow in arriving, n it was not
until Senator Hanna put in his appear
ance at I1:45 o'clock that the enthusi-
asm of the thousands was uncorked.
He got a cheer as he moved up the
center aisle, the full length of the hall
to the platform. General Grosvenor,
the white-bearded old veteran, was
Immediately recognized and he, too,
got a cheer.
Occupying prominent seats On the
platform were four of the fourteen men
now living who were delegates to the
\ first convention of the republican
party, held in Philadelphia, June II,
1856. All were embers of the regular
Ohio delegation. Three of them were
prominent in the anti-slavery fight that
led to the convention held in PittSburg
February 22nd, 1856.
Cornelius Bliss, of New York, got a
scattering applause as he came in and
took his seat with the New York del
egation, and Senator Plat, of New
York, got a popular greeting.
At noon Senator Hanna took his seat
at the chairman's table.
DEMONSTRATION FOR ROOSE-
The first pronounced demonstration of
the convention occurred when Governor
Roosevelt came in through the main
entrance and moved down the center
aisle. He wore his Rough Rider hat
and was instantly recognized. A deep
reberberating cheer greeted him. Men
jumped to their feet to cheer him and
women futtered their handkerchiefs.
Delegates crowded forward to greet
him as h moved through the press,
and his entrance, theatrical though 1T
may AVE been, was like that of a con-
quering hero.
Senator Lodge and Judge Mccall
came in at the head of the Massachu-
sets delegation, n were greeted by
General Harry Bingham. 1T is all
over said Bingham.
Yes" aid Lodge, for ~LOng-thats
the ticket, a certainty. Mckinley and
Long"
Senator Quay smiled grimly from
across the aisle. He wore a suit of mil
ler's gray, and had apparently con-
tracted the Ombrer habit, for his hat
was of expansive brim and of the San
tiagO cut. He greeted Senator DAVIS,
and the two Rugged n whispered.
hugging.
MEMBERS OF FOREIGN LEGA-
TONS ON THE PLATFORM.
oIIIlIlS oSClllCA Oh NlAS 'NS
a group of distinguished guests from
the diplomatic corps at Washington,
-including the first secretaries of the
British embassy. Mr.. Gerald Lowther,
and of the Spanish legation. Senior Don
Riano.
Kansas had seats Immediately across
the aisle from New York to the left,
and when Roosevelt came in the Kan
sas delegates gave him a special re-
ception and one enthusiastic Kansan
grabbed the governor by the arm and
pulled him across the aisle.
Senator Hanna seemed in no hurry
to call the convention to order. Attlred
in a sack suit with a white vest, he sat
chatting with those about him, his
broad face beaming, his eye meantime
rowing over the convention.
At 1890 o'clock the band broke into
the stirring strains of the Star Span
gled Banner. Governor Roosevelt was
first on his feet in response to the ma
tional anthem. His Rough Rider hat
came off and he stood with head uncov-
cred. Instantly the whole convention
rose en- masse. Ten thousand people
stood while the stirring air was played
and applauded it with a cheer as they
took their seats.
Chairman Hanna remained stand
ing. He lifted his gavel and brought it
down with a resounding whack. In
stantly all eyes were riveted upon him
and a wave of applause swept the
hall.
CONVENTION OPENED.
Chairman Hanna faced the storm of
applause with a reSolute face. His
stern features did not relax. but he
nodded an acknowledgment as the ap-
plause broke here and there into a
cheer. When it had subsidized he Drought
down the gavel again.
TT convention will be opened with
aye he said, by the Rev. j. Gray
Bolton. of the Hope Presbyterian
church of Philadelphia" Chairman
Hanna remained standing with bowed
cad while the divine came forward in
the black robes of his office to deliver
the invocation.
Again Mr.. Hanna was the center OF
attriction. He left the presiding Off
GERS table and stepping to the front
of the platform, surveyed the sea of
faces. and in a clear voice began his
speech of welcome.
HANNA'S OPENING SPEECH.
In bidding you welcome" he began,
Il also wish to congratulate you upon
the magnificent representation from
the republican party
There was no mistake in bringing
the convection TO Philadelphia, Mr..
Hanna went on. Here was the rae
of liberty. The birth place of the re-
pubic. here also Hdu lIO 4~pUOllCdH
party seen it's birth, and here too, was
the center of the great, ~throbbing idea
the protection of American indus
try
Another wave of applause swept over
the convention at this mention OF the
protective principle, and as it subsidized
Mr.. Hanna proceeded.
w are on the eve of another great
struggle. Already we are beginning TO
form our battalions under the leader
ship of our great statesman-GeneraI
William Mckinley"
That was the signal and for the first
time the convention broke forth In a
whirlwind of enthusiasm. For ten sec
onds, twenty, thirty, a minute, the
demonstration was kept UP and then,
with a wave of the hand, the national
chairman bid the assemblage esume
their seats and let him proceed.
Il was about to give the order for
those battalions to move but you in
terrupted me-" said Mr.. Hanna, jocu-