The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-23

the crash of thunder that follows the |
lightning the enthusiasm began. Flags
were in the air, hats We're thrown UP,
men jumped on to their chairs, wo-
men stood and shouted. The air was
rent with one continuous, prolonged
shout from thousands of throats. So
mighty was the volume of sound that
nothing definite in the way of artic-
ulate sound was distinguishable. At
this point the band struck up.
It's strains, however. were only faint
" discrenible in the mighty din. Then
Chairman Cannon took a hand. Tn
furling a tattered silk flag he advanced
to the extreme edge of the platform and
began to wave it. The flag is the pro-
perty of the MISUNDERSTANDING associa-
ton of Missouri, and it made its first
appearance at a Republican national
convention in 1860. when Lincoln was
nominated 1t was then carried by the
Missouri delegation and was waved
over the platform on that occasion as
in this. It was fuel to the flame Of
enthusiasm and the volume OF sound
increased.
The front of the platform was next
occupied by an immense crayon bust
potrait of President Roosevelt borne
aloft by three men. Again broke forth
fresh impetus to the continuous shout
ing.
Man With a 1Iegaphone.
The front of the stage was next given
over to a young man with megaphone
and a flag. AS he swung the banner
from side to side, he shouted the name
Roosevelt. At each swing of the flag
the name was repeated. 1t was soon
! taken up by the delegates in front,
spread to those in the rear and in a
twinkle the whole assemblage was
shouting Roosevelt - Roosevelt in a
measured unison.
The young man who started the cry
was J. Henry Smith, jr.,of Philadelphia,
where he is prominently identified with
amateur sports.
The Indiana delegation sprung open
umbrellas of red, white and blue, bear
| ing portraits of Roosevelt and Fair
| banks, the Alaskan totem poles were
/ neld aloft and thousands of flags waved
in wild sweep of colors.
| The New York delegation occupying
| a place Immediately in front started
out in a march through the hall. Mean
while the demonstration showed no
signs of spending itself; five. six and
seven minutes it continued. There was
not the slightest dininution in the vol
ume of sound.
When the applause had continued al
most seven minutes it was given a new
impetus by Chairman Cannon who
walked once more to the front carrying
| his large banner. A little girl clad en-
tirely in white was lifted high on the
shoulders of some of the California del
/ egates and the first sound of her child
ish treble was the signal for another
| burst.
Caron Loans His Flag.
A QeleSaIe requested CHAIRMAN can
non to loan him the large flag he had
carried. and with a smile the chairman
handed it down. Around the hall il
went, followed by a long line Of shout
ing delegates. California. with its
great banner Of purple. white and gold
came marching down the center aisle
and followed by senators, members ci
congress and Others, prominent in the
hind shouting, laughing and cheering
The New York delegation catching
sight of Henry c. Payne, on the plat
form paid him a brief and especial trib-
cheering OF the candidate. shouting
Roosevelt - Roosevelt" Roosevelt
New York; over and over again.
A small colored boy, James Blaine
Caslum. of Georgia, with long curling
hair, was hoisted upon the platform
. and he waved in frantic fashion {
small national flag. Louise Roberts, the
young girl who had created the en-
thusiasm in the California delegation
was next carried up and borne high OF
the shoulders of a stalwart delegate
from Indiana. She created a new fur
ore of enthusiasm as she tossed hel
, flag to and fro. Little Naomi DafOe, q
AIpena, Mich, followed for a brief per
iod and when she had waved her f1as
: but few minutes Chairman cannon
rushed to the front and saying; Pleas
, let me in my dear" he raped vigor
ously for order.
t Lasted Twenty-three Minutes.
: The applause at this time had contin
ued almost exactly % minutes 1t re
quired fully five minutes and severa
more rapS by the chairman and tn
strenuous work of numerous police ant
sergeants-at-arms to get the delegate
! once more into their seats. Whel
Chairman Cannon had finally secures
order, the secretary read a history o
the flag, which Mr.. Cannon had beel
waving. Grasping the flag and wavini
it over his head Mr.. Cannon said;
= 1T prophesied victory in 1860; its lif
! has been baptized on many battle
. field since and it is safe in the hand
of President Roosevelt
Cheers followed and were Increase
! when Mr. Cannon recognized Senate
Beveridge, of Indiana. whom he intro
r duced in these words:
= Gentlemen of the Convention;
= have the honor of introducing to you
= gentleman whom you all know; so
, | of Indiana who when he has q. mes
sage insists upon a hearing and whe
he speaks the people are enlightene
@ and enthused-"
6 Senator Bever1dge Degan MS speecl
\ amid loud applause
- He spoke with force and increasin
i, | enthusiasm, emphasizing MS poln'
n ! with a forceful gesture with the rlgh
u hand The senator's voice was prob
!. / ably the easiest heard of any speake
= | which the convention has yet hearC
= Shouts cheers and cat-calls resOund
\ ed through the hall when the senate
? sarcastically said:
= mo mystery was ever elected presi
- dent and never will be-"
Long before he concluded HI
speech Senator Beveridge's collar wa
, wilted and the perspiration Wa
p streaming down his face, but his voic
e lost none of it's carrying power an
y his manner none of its energy. Ser
e ator Beveridge's concluding word
= Indiana seconds the name of Roose
: velt," released the waiting cheer, tn
band, and the flags
IT California Seconds Roosevelt.
n 1t was short-Iived. however, and o.
Y. der was soon restored. When the cor
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