The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-02-23
CHICAGO.S MOST INTERESTING
POLITICAL CONVENTION.

"a cavalry charge and an Ameri'
can national convention are the two
most exciting things l know" remark
ed distinguished foreigner from his
seat in the diplomatic section at the
1908 Republican convention in the
Chicago Coliseum, during the progress
of the forty-nine.minute Roosevelt de-
monstration. The same distinguished
foreigner was at the Democratic con.
vention the following month in the
Denver Auditorium and, again from
the diplomatic section, he witnessed
the eighty-nine.minute Bryan demon
stration. 81 want to amend my Chi.
cago declaration" said he to one of his
friends after adjournment, land 60 ON
record that Republican national con-
vention and a Democratic national
convention are the most exciting things
l know"
Prior to 1860 the conventions had
been comparatively tame, says writer
in the Chicago Record.Herald. They
had been in the nature of semiprivate
assemblages, the general public not be-
ing admitted in large numbers. The
convention of 1860 was the first to
have a special building erected for it.
At that convention telegraph wires and
instruments were for the first time
brought into a convention building
For the first time large numbers Of
spectators were admitted and for thu
first time there was organized cheering
and planned demonstrations.
The convention which nominated
Lincoln perhaps had wider, deeper
more enduring effect on the history o
the country than any other convention
ola political party in American annals
Nominations began almost at once al
ter the convention was called to order
William NJ. Evarts presented Seward.
name. New York Immediately 60
into action with that species of care
fully MANNED demonstration and scieD
tifc cheering which have become tn
most spectacular and thrilling part
of a modern convention. So startlin!
was the effect of the well arranged Sc
ward cheering that members Of tn
Lincoln forces felt somewhat "appal
led" as one Of the Illinois delegate
expressed it. When the name of Sc
ward was presented "the shouting va
absolutely frantic, shrill and wild
Comanches or panthers never struck
higher note nor gave screams witt
more Internal intensity.
The Illinois, Indiana and other Lin
coin delegates at once proceeded T.
avail themselves of New YOrks lesso
in the art of demonstration. The
marshaled their forces into yelling bal
talions and arranged that there shout
be one great demonstration Of lun
power when Lincoln was nominate
and second, a still greater demon
stration, when the nomination was Sc
conded. The organized Lincol
cheering duly began when the futur
President was put in nomination BY n
B. Judd, chairman of the Illinois IL
legation. 1t was good beginning, bu
not quite equal to the Seward nomins
ton shouting. The Seward cOhorl
had another chance to show their pow
ers as noise.makers when the Sewar
nomination was seconded.
But then Caleb B. Smith Of Indian
took the floor to second the nomins
ton of Lincoln and then was afforde
the opportunity for which Illinois ha
particularly planned. Women ha
been requested to wave their handke'
chiefduring the demonstration follow
ing the seconding speech, while hui
dreds of flags were distributed to b
waved as we'll. Signals were agree
upon to regulate the cheering. IN
J mortal before saw such ascene," wrol
Leonard SWEET in describing VIII.
, happened after Mr.. Smith had spokel
The idea of US boosters and sucker
being outscreamel would have been q
most as bad as the loss Of our maj
, Five thousand people at once leape
, to their seats. women not wanting
!, the number, and the wild yells mac
e soft vesper breathings of all that hs
= proceeded. No language can descrit
1. it. A thousand steam whistles, te
f acres of hotel gongs, a tribe ofComal
ches, headed by a choice vanguard
e pandemopium, might have mingled
l the scene unnoticed." As the 70.
e died out voice cried: ABE Lincol
( has it, by the sound now. Let us ba