New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-10

| Governor Nardaman acquleScea, anu Juooo
| Richardson Of Alabama, asked that Senator
| CarTnack. Of Tennessee. be asked whether or
not he had received q telegram from Judge
! Parker saying that he could not accept the
! nomination unless there was gold declaration
| in the platform.
Gentlemen" said the chairman. this is the
! most weighty matter that has come before TINS
! convention. and we want no information second
! hand We want il from the fountainhead'
understand that the message is now on its way
| to the hall, and I suggest that we await its
| arrival
| we are here for the purpose OF acting for
| the Democratic party Of this nation, and want
| to say to you. and I believe that shall voice
/ the sentiment of every member of this conven-
ton when 1 say that we have not deliberated at
| all since we have been here. (Applause) The
noise and the. confusion of the mob and the
| rabbIe have characterized every hour of the
| sitting of this convention. The time has come.
my countrymen, when you should think about
| what you doing. when you should weigh
| carefully and deliberately the great questions
| which you are called upon here to consider 1t
| is not a question as to whether this man or
| that man. or any other should be nomi-
mated for President and for Vice President but
| It is a question as to whether not you will
| be able to select who will be sufficiently
| strong at the polls in November to defeat thai
| national peril. Theodore Roosevelt. (Cheers.)
Now let us get down to business. We have
| worn the wire edge off, and let us get to work;
| let us find out what this rumor which has
seemed to create almost disorder in this hall is.
| and let the gentleman from New-York to whom
| the telegram addressed. if this is matter
| that this convention should consider that af
| fects this convention read it. Let the truth be
! known, and then let us proceed TO business
Loud applause followed this declaration and
| continued as Governor Vardaman took his seat.
NOT THE TELEGRAM.
The suggestion was approved with shout,
| and quiet settled down over the convention pend
| ing the arrival Of the message from the South
| Hotel. The band played Dixie and was
| rewarded with the usual yels. While the con-
| ventIon waited good order prevailed Suddenly
| the clerks voice heard announcing: There
| is a telegram at the desk for George Fred Will
! Jams" A ripple of laughter began in the Massa-
| chusetts delegation and spread over the hall
The conference committee reached the hall at
9:35 and filed slowly along the crowded aisle in
! the centre of the convention floor. Delegates
thronged about them. asking. What shall we
| do?'
Keep your heads and behave" retorted Sena-
| tor Tillman with emphasis. and he repeated the
| Injunction at numerous intervals
John Sharp Williams. Governor Vardaman.
| Senator Tilnan and Senator Carmack made
| their way to the platform with the mysterious
| message in their possession.
short conference took place among the four.
and Chairman Clark, while the delegates who
| had for the moment put excitement away from
| them, sang My Old Kentucky Home" a dele
gate from Kentucky standing on his chair. lead
| ing the song. The band caught up the melody
| and the convention sang a second verse.
Chairman Clark pounded for order. with John
| Sharp Williams standing by his side.
! Il wish TO announce In advance" said the
| chairman. that this important matter every
man shall have full and fair hearing. I now
introduce John Sharp Williams. OF Mississippi"
Mr.. Williams spoke as follows:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Con-
| vention: All of us were very much SURPRISED
and excited this afternoon-to use no stronger
! words-at what purported to be copies OF tele-
! grams which had been sent by nominee 10
| Mr.. Carmack and others in this city. I want 10
| tell you that but one telegram has been re-
| ceived. Mr. Carmack not only received no tele
| gram to-day of the character that pub
| lshed but never received telegram from MT.
Parker in all of his life. And nobody received a
| telegram containing the language in that infa-
| nous volunteer production. Cloud cheering and
| applause.)
| A telegram has come from Mr.. Parker to Mr.
| Sheehan. however, which l shall read in a mo-
| ment and IL is so important that you should
Know what II is. that after have read II I shnI
| hand II my friend the Governor OF nv state
| Mr.. Vardaman. and have him read II over again
| When you shall have heard 1t you will note that
| there Is not in it one word about requiring or
| demanding, or asking or requesting that any
| thing should be placed in the Democratic plat
form loud appause) You will also note that
II there IS any error In it at ALL it Is an error
| or judgment proceeding from a too sensitive
spirit OF honor (applause). a too sensitive idea
not 10 be misunderstood or placed In a false or
| in a double position. 1 shall now ask Governor
Nardaman to read the telegram to you. cloud
cheering and applause)
| Mr.. Williams's speech was listened to In a
silence so deep. so intense that, notwthstand-
| ing his weakened voice. every word was dis
tinctly audible in all parts Of the hall He then
| handed the message to Governor Vardanan,
who. after requesting absolute quiet, read the
| telegram, as follows:
Hon. w f. Sheehan, Hotel Jefferson. st. Louis
| regard the gold standard as firmly and irrev-
| ocab!y established and shall act accordingly If
| the action OF the convention to-day shall be
| rauned by the people AS the platform is silent
| on the subject. my views should be made known
| 10 the convention and II it is proved to be
| satisfactory TO the ma jority | request Won TO
| decline the nomination for at once, so that
| another may be nominated before adjournment.
ALTON B. PARKER
| ringing cheer went around the hall. but It
was brief, anxious were the delegates to see
| what would follow.
| Mr.. Williams-Glr, Chairman. think you will
! bear me out in what I said. This is the first
! time Ia the history OF the United Statas that
| on the surface of this earth has been so super
| sensitive about Il matter Of personal rectitude
ana honor as TO send a telegram to a friend ask
/ ING MIN 10 decline the nomination for him IT, a.
! he seems to have been informed, there ia some
| thing in the platform which is not in accord
! with his own opinion.
! My friends, we purDOselV made this platform
! Silent on the question Of monetary standard We
! Aiaue II silent because we all agreed that that