East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-07-11
(By william Allen white.) }

(By William Allen White.)
The morning session of the demo-
cratic national convention opened dull
and the aspect was spiritless. The
reportes heard with listless interest
the eulogy upon former Chairman
James K. Jones of Arkansas and the
younger men asked when he was
chairman, while the elder men began
framing up some sort of story that
would do for the days work in lieu
of any news. A motion to adjourn
by Ollie James, recognized as Bryan's
floor leader, indicated that Bryan de-
sired to postpone the conventions
real work until a night session, but
the galleries, being restless and anx-
ious for excitement voted no, and the
delegates voted no and after some de-
bate and another vote Chairman Bell
decided good naturedly to allow the
crowd to have its way So he called
for Congressman Towne, who was
absent, and the crowd called for Gore
and for Folk and after trying to find
Senator Bode Taylor, the chairman
sent for Senator Gore of Oklahoma.
Gore Starts Calmly.
Senator Gore is blind, so there was
an unusual interest in him. He felt
his way about the platform, and let
his hands run over the desk before
him and he talked. He was a new
man and he seemed to be an enthusi-
astic man, But to the crowd he was
a time-filler No one paid any un-
usual heed to his words, and no one
was expecting anything of Importance
from him. He talked about the Okla
homa constitution and said: "The
great war chief came to Oklahoma
and asked US to do what no Anglo
Saxon community ever has-reject
a chance to obtain self government.
Then the greatest living exponent of
human freedom came to US and told
up 10 adopt our constitution, and by
a majority Of 100000 votes (here Gore
waved his hands dramatically we re-
jected the advice Of Taft and took the
advice of Bryan"
That was all. He started again, |
lifted his hands for silence, but the
cheer swept over the crowd. Again
he tried to speak but the blaze Of ap-
plause was cracking in the uttermost
corners of the room in an instant
While the blind eyes of Gore were
wandering aimlessly over the audi
ence the cracking blaze Of applause
broke into roar. The reporters look
ed at the clock, tore up their space
filling notes and by these signs showed
the event Of the convention was at
hand. Gore had uncorked the COM
pany fizz before the banquet was
ready.
The Bear Dance Begins.
The great crowd roared with Joy
and as it unbuckled it's lungs in its
madness at the end Of perhaps five
minutes Of cheering, some one in
Pennsylvania grabbed the guldon OF
that state and started to march to-
ward Nebraska. Indiana and Illinois
followed, and soon half a dozen states
were marching at the big moon-faced
Bryan banner Of Nebraska and in
these minutes two dozen states were
in the bear dance. with jumping
guidons The band played "Hot
Time" and the crowd screamed with
delight Two dozen and then three
dozen state banners were romping
over the hall.
The crowd stopped at Maryland,
and then with a shout Maryland fell
in. Then many states were in the
procession. II went to the front OF
the hall, as 10000 men howIed in de-
lirium. and surrounded the Nebras
ka banner. That was after the cheer
ing had lasted 30 minutes. Then the