The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-08
Fifteen Thousand Enthusiastic Democrats Start The Ball
 To Rolling
HARMONY IS KEYNOTE
 OF THE PROCEEDINGS
Fractional Differences Have Subslded and It Is Assured That the Plat form Will Ring True With
 Democracy.

Denver, July 7.-(Special. )-Nith a roar and bang and a long hurrah the repre- sentatives of democracy assembled in na- tional convention today. There were pres ent about 150OO cheering. enthusiastic democrats cool as a veranda of a seaside resort at sundown-bands playing Dixie and Yankee Doodle bringing every dele gate from Maine to California to his feet. There were two demonstrations. One was the reading of that section of the call of the democratic committee, asking all dem ocrats to unite; the other Chairman Bell s reference to the nomination of w. J. Bryan MT. Bryan was not mentioned by name by Chairman Bell. but the words were not out of his mouth before the Nebraska delegates seized upon the op- portunity of starting bona fide demon- stration in behalf of their candidate.
 The democratic party stands for no biz sectional Presidency" declared Mir Bell. and there was shout of approval. We will place before the people a candidate and a platform which will command the respect of every American citizen," he added. There were more cheers.
 Throughout the proceedings were at tended with a spirit of harmony that was rot machine-made that caused wonder ment among the delegates. most of them pledged to the democratic idea of a fight ever everything. especially If 1t is a little thing. The counterslgn of the convention is the words "Get together.' The differ onces here will be difficult to magnify. The Cleveland resolution Is an example. Inc Tnlar he Bryan men agree that they are satisfac. tory.
 So with the platform It will be clear and ringing. no ambiguity in it's terms, nor radical in its demands. The person. nel of those chosen on the committee gives assurance that the declaration of principles will be carefully prepared, and that the tone will be conservative. With John w. Daniel of Virginia, Stone of Missouri and Dubois of Idaho sitting tonight with the resolutions committee there will be reported assuredly to tie convention a platform which will contain no straddle, no equivoeation-an honest platform. For instance In their long session tonight here are few rapdoni comments made by members:
 The platform should be such as would tend to place the government upon com mon sense. business basis instead of upon a grafter and polite basis.-C. M. Has kell, Governor of Oklahoma, chairma
 The platform should be conservative without being reactionary. William J. Stone, United States senator from Mis- souri,
 No wishy-washy business goes. The platform must be one thing or another.-- w. J. CFingy) Connors of New York.
 Bells speech today was an agreeable surprise. The Californian is a young man about 36 and some of the old stand bys were little afraid that there would be much of oratory and little of good, plain. democratic doctrine. MT Bells speech speaks for itself and with that of Representative Clayton of Alabama, the permanent chairman, which will be deliv- cred tomorrow, makes out a case for de- mocracy which could dispense with T platform.