Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1900-06-28

PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
been equaled perhaps in the history of
politics in this country. 1t was a
love feast, a jubilee, a ratification
meeting.
The wrangle expected over the
question of reducing the representa-
ton in the south was averted by the
withdrawal of ex-senator Quay's prop
OsitiOn. The great hall became quiet
as Senator Lodge, standing before 49,
900 eager faces, gavel in hand, an
nOunced that nominations for presi-
dent OF the United States were in or
der. The reading clerk advanced to
the front of the platform. He was
about to call the roll of states for
the presentation of candidates. When
Alabama was called a thin, red-whis-
kered delegate from that state arose
and surrendered the first right to
speak to Ohio. A flutter of handller-
chiefs filed the air and cheer went
up from the delegates in the pit, as
Senator Foraker, of Ohio, the ideal
of miltant republicanism, STROBE to the
platform. When quiet was restored,
he began to speak. 1t was not yet
noon, but the sun was blazing through
the roof shooting his darts and ar
rows into all parts of the hall. With
resonant, ringing voice and graceful
gesture, Foraker stilled the noise
Even the pages and attendants
crouched down as they gazed at the
orator. He began to call up the hur-
ricane from the start. Whenever he
raised his arms aloft the whistling
of the gale ran round the hall. When
he said the nomination had already
been made, that Wolcott and Lodge
and the platform had each in turn
named his candidate a great cheer
went up. When he said his candidate
was the first choice of every man who
desired republican success in Novem-
Der, the roar was like the rush of
heavy sea through a rocky cavern.
The orator was silenced by his own
words. Then he began again, speak
ing as few men can. His audience
were thrilled. They sat like men I'M
der spell. He dropped a word here,
word there, like sparks upon sun
dried stubble, and when he concluded
by placing Mckinley in nomination,
not on behalf of Ohio, but of all the
states and territories, a clap of thun-
der shook the building. Below him,
all about him, were deafening roars.
The previous whistlings of the storm
were but the rustling of a summer
nights breeze. For a moment the
magician leaned over the platform as
if to satisfy himself that his work
was accomplished. Then, seeing that
the effort had been successful, he re-
tired to the rear of the stage The
sight was a grand and inspiring one.
In the pit the delegates and alternates
were cheering enthusiastically. Over
the acres of spectators bedIam
reigned. The hall was an angry sea
of tossing color. Flags, red, white
and blue p1umes shot up as if by
magic to crest the waves. Hats were
lifted aloft on canes. Umbrellas were
hoisted and twisted until they resem-
bled whirling dervishes. On the press
platform the newspaper men with
watches out were counting the min
utes. On the stage Senator Hanna.
his handkerchief in one hand, fan in
the other, was squirting the vast as
semblage to new endeavors. The rag
ing storm did not seem to satisfy him.
He seized a plume and whirling it
about his head like general leading
his men to the charge. All at once
a delegate, bearing the standard of
Kentucky, rushed forward to the
stage. The effect was magical.
Standards of the states were torn
loose and yelling delegates climbed |
upon the platform to rally around |
their leader. With state guidons |
pointed to common center they |
made a canopy over the head of the |
Warwick of the republican party. |
Ohio interlocked her staff with New
York; Maine figuratively kissed her |
hand to California, and Minnesota sa-
luted Texas. Then higher still |
climbed Hanna. He mounted a table. |
where he could look out upon the |
cheering multitude. Beside him sud |
denly appeared a young girl arrayed /
in the national colors. At this sight |
the cheers redoubled. The music of |
the orchestra was drowned in the aw- /