The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-06-24

Chicago, June 1S.-For president of
the United States, VIM. H. Taft of
Ohio.
Taft on the first ballot; Taft by 7O2
votes-Taft by the unanimous con-
sent Of the convention.
Such is the record Of the culminat-
ing day Of the Republican national
convention OF 1908, effected amid
scenes of tumultous enthusiasm and
after nerve-racking, continuous ses-
sion lasting nearly eight hours. With
president named and platform enun-
ciated there remains only the nomi-
nation Of the vice president to COM
plete this momentous work. Tonight
the whole city is given over to wild
exultation in honor Of the new can
didate. whose name goes echoeing
through the country.
The picture within the walls OF
the vast amphitheatre as the presi-
dentiaf candidate was named today
was one truly grandiose in its mag
nitude. In front, to the right and
left, below and above, the billowing
sea Of humanity. restless after hours
Of waiting and stirred from one emo
ton to another, was in a fever Of ex-
pectancy for the eliminating vote.
The favorite sons Of other States had
been named, save Knox and LaFol-
lette. and now on the roll call came
Ohio. AS the Buckeye State was
reached, the tall, gaunt form Of
Theodore E. Burton, with student
like face and severe black clerical
garb. advanced to the platform to
nominate Ohio's candidate. He spoke
feryently, with the singing voice Of
an evangelist, which went ringing
through the great building. The close
OF his speech of nomination was the
signal for loosing the long pent-up
feeling Of the Taft legions. Instantly
the Ohio delegates were on their
feet, other States following. while the
convention hosts in gallery and on
floor broke into mad demonstration.
Taft! Taft! w. H. Taft" came
In roar from. the Ohioans.
Megaphones seemed to spring from
concealed places and swell the Taft
tumult into thunder. A huge blue
silk banner bearing the familiar
features Of the secretary swung be-
fore the delegates. awakening a fresh
whirlwind Of enthusiasm.
All Order Lost.
All semblance Of order had been
abandoned and the delegates arena
was the mselstrom OF gesticulating
men; the guidons OF the States were
snatched up by the Taft enthusiasts
or borne under the storm Of disorder.
The band was inaudible--a mere whis.
per above the deafening volume Of
sound.
For 10. 15. then 20 minutes this up
roar continued. 1t was a repetition
Of the scene of yesterday, when the
name OF Roosevelt threw the conven-
ton into frenzy, repeated In inten-
sity and almost in duration. But
there Is a limit to the physical re-
sources Of the throat and lung and at
last the tired voices died down to a
hoarse shout and finally subsidized.
The lull now gave the opportunity
for the speech seconding Taft's nom-
ination. by Gen. H. Knight, Of Cali
fornia. his big. round face beaming
forth on the sympathetic multitude
and his splendid baritone voice we'll
ing forth like the tones Of a great
church organ. California's tribute to
Taft was brief and fervid. Now there
was another lull in the Taft move
ment while the remaining candidates
were placed In nomination.
1t was late in the afternoon before
the convention, sweltering with the
intense heat and weary after nearly
seven hours continuous session,
reached the end Of the food Of elo-
quence. and the decks were at last
clear for the culpinating act-the
ballot. But no; just as the last swell
Of oratory, the seconding speech for
LaFollet!e. had died away. like a cy-
clone frome a clear sky, burst a LaFol-
lette demonstration which swert the
convention from its vevy bearing. !:
was the same deafen.3g wave CT
sound that had greeted Roosevelt yes
terday and Taft little while before,
intense and maddening and with the
vital ring Of genuine ethusicsm. The
delegates sat calm and waiting. ex-
cept the frantic Wisconsin men, but