The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-28
Notification Ceremony Charac-
 teriZed by Simplicity
PROSPERITY WAS THE THEME
Presidents Response Contained Many Epiurams, and Achievements of Republican Party Are Depicted
 With consummate Skill.

Roosevelt today formally opened the po- lltical campaign of 1904 at his beautiful country home, Sagamore Hill. Standing on a spot made dear to him by the as- sociatlons of life time, surrounded by his family and relatives and friends, and in the presence of an assemblage of men distinguished in all walks of life, he for- mally received and accepted the nomina- ton of the republican party for President of the United States.
 President Roosevelts speech of accept ance was eharacteristically forceful and direct in argument. and replete with cpl grammatic passages. It was received with immense enthusiasm by his auditors. Prosperity may be said to have been the key note of the address, while the achievements of the republican party In statesmanship at home and abroad were depicted with the touch of a skilled hand His satirical reference to the democratic party aroused laughter and applause.
 The speech of the President will be circulated extensively In the campaign, and aside from the letter of acceptance which he will issue In few weeks, It will be his only public utterance during the campaign.
 All the details of arrangement for the ceremony of notification had been worked out carefully, and from the arrival of the special train from New York with the notification committee aboard until its departure, not hitch occurred.
 Ceremony Was Simple.
 Tn accordance with the wish of the President, the ceremony was made as sim pie as possible.
 The formal notification of the action or the convention was made on behalf or committee representing every state ana territory in the United States by Joseph 1 G. Cannon, speaker of the national house of representatives.
 The day opened with ideal weather and the arrangements for the ceremony were completed at an early hour The wide yeranda of the Presidents house at Saga more Hill extended almost entirely around the building was decorated with American flags hung from pillar to pillar. In addition, many houses in the neigh borhood of the Roosevelt home in Oyster Bay were draped with the national colors.
 Across the main street of the village there hung a large Roosevelt and Fair- banks banner.
 Speaker Cannon and his committee of notification, together with many of the invited guests, arrived here on a special train from New York at 1l.30 in the morning. The attendance of the members of the committee was notably large, re- grets being received from only three James N. Combs of Florida; Senator Chauncey M. Depew of New York, and n .pt NY ,l,s.
 In all, about 125 persons were present at the ceremony. Aside from relatives. the assemblage included personal and political friends of the President, officials of the republican national and state or ganizations the pastors of Oyster Bay churches and neighbors of the President. On account of the isolation of Sagamore Hill and the lack of carriages a greater number was not invited.
 Knew Most of Them Personally.
 President Roosevelt personally received the members of the committee and other guests as they arrived at Sagamore Hill He knew almost every man personally. After the visitors had been greeted by the president. Secretary Loeb presented each one to Mrs. Roosevelt and to Miss Alice Roosevelt
 Mrs Roosevelt extended to all a cor dial welcome
 A runaway resulting in the partial des- truction of phaeton driven by residents of Oyster Bay was the only untoward in- cident of the trip of the visitors to Saga more Hill The ceremony was entirely informal As Speaker Cannon, attired in dark gray frock suit, stepped upon a chair standing near the veranda railing. he was given a cordial reception.
 While MT. Cannon read his speech MT. Roosevelt stood at his right hand, giving close attention. Mrs. Roosevelt, sur rounded by her children, Kermet, Ethel and Quentin. stood facing MT Cannon, almost in the center of the crowd. MT. Cannon was interrupted frequently by ap- plause Speaker Cannon's address will be found on page 6)
 President Roosevelt shook MT Cannon's hand heartily at the conclusion of his speech. and then mounted the chair to deliver his address in response. He was given so cordial q reception that it was quite a minute before he could proceed He was in excellent voice, and though he followed the printed text of his speech he seldom referred to 1t. The address was punctuated by applause (President Rooseyelts response appears in full on page 8)
 Was Heartily Congratulated.
 
 When he concluded he was heartily con- graduated. In the informal reception which followed the address, Speaker Can ron suggested that all the visitors as- semble on the lawn at the foot of the veranda steps "in order that they might have their respective shadows secured ere the substance fade"
 AS the President descended the step to face the photographer. he called for Gov ernor Pardee of California and W. W. Simpson of Texas to stand near him. these two, with Speaker Cannon, Chair man Cortelyou, Governor Odell of New York. Cornelius N. Bliss and Frank S. Black were grouped about the President and the photographs were taken.
 buffet luncheon followed and the guests were served by the Presidents children and his nephews and nieces.
 During the afternoon before the de- parture of the guests, the President had conferences with several of them. in- Governor Odell. Cornelius N. Bliss Mir. Black and Speaker Cannon.
 National Chairman Corteyou who was an overnight guest of the President, left this evening on the special train at 3;30 Q clock for New xazk. VA sxsssts AA ~