The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-08-07
NEW PARTY:
RUNNING MATE


heartiness, stirrlngness In all its fea-
lures which stamped the body as one
of the most remarkable gatherings Of
recent times There was all the para
phernalia of national convention, and
yet there was seeming absence of in
trigue and the chicanery of political
gatherings Some of it's features re-
sembled tremendous religious revival.
In some respects it was a singing con-
vention. 1t was coming together of
hundreds Of men and women who had
never participated In a gigantic politi-
cal gathering.
Many had never seen each other, and
yet It was a neighborly and utterly
friendly convention. In the prellmina-
ries the delegates visited and became
acquainted. Southern men and women
grasped the hand Of their northern
brothers and sisters, and the eastern
folks sought out their comrades in this
movement from the Rocky mountains
and far western states. The Coliseum
was adorned with the decorations used
In the Republican national convention
In addition, there were great crayons
of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln
Hamilton and Jackson. Then, too, the
steel girders were enfolded with Amer
lean flags, and many of the standards
Of the states were entwined with the
national colors.
Many delegations had for an emblem
great rings in the center of which
were the familiar Roosevelt sombrero,
Indicative Of the saying Of the ex-presi-
dent, my hat is In the ring" Clus-
tered here and there in the delegations
were experienced politicians. The
Pennsylvanians, led by William Finn.
Haunted bandana handkerchiefs, the
gonfalon Of the National Progressives.
The delegation, with Finn at their
head, marched into the hall in a body
singing song of their own compost
tion to the tune of John Browns
Body" The chorister Of the Pennsyl-
vania delegation was Philip J. Barber
of Erie, candidate for congressman at
large. He said that every man in the
delegation was singer except Finn.
Audience Of Nearly 10000.
Other delegates, men and women,
wore bandanas about their throats,
while still others used them as hat
bands. There were certainly 1900 del
egates and alternates In the convention
The galleries were almost completely
filled. The audience, including the del
egates and alternates, numbered from
5000 to 10000. While awaiting the
opening proceedings the band, frequent
ly accompanied by the Veteran Fife and
Drum corps of Chicago, played stirring
melodies, most of them suggestive Of
war times. In turn the great assem-
blage sang Julia Ward Howe's Battle
Hymn of the Republic"
The scenes between times were tu-
multuous with cheers and cries for
Roosevelt. 1t was not noisy conven-
tion in the noisy sense. 1t was a hap
py, an enthusiastic gathering. 1t was
an assemblage with an intense objec-
! tive.
From every point of the nation men
and women, nonofficeholders without
the promise of political reward, volun-
tarily had come to Chicago to take part
in this convention and to assist in the
launching of new party, the success
OF which, its friends believe. will place
the country on a higher political, moral
and social level.
The women delegates from New York,
California, Illinois, Massachusetts and
Rhode Island especially enjoyed their
presence at national convention. the
first they had ever had attended. They
had been escorted to the convention by
the Chicago women's clubs, 1000
strong, headed by a great band and
Mrs. George Bass and Miss Jane Ad-
dams.
George w. Perkins, who is not dele.
gate to the convention, but Is taking
the Hveliest interest in its affairs, was
on the platform beside Senator Dixon,
and Mr.. Perkins proved himself to be
as glad songster as any man pres
ent. To the men and women engaged
In the new party movement who had
never attended a national convention
every step In the proceedings ELECTED
curiosity, intense interest and the pro-
foundest enthusiasm
While there were quite a number Of
negro delegates from the northern
states the convention was essentially
q white mans convention. And it
may be stated, without the slightest
desire TO resort to unhappy criticism,
that the white delegates paid little or
no attention to the negro delegates, the
nearly so much as is observed in Re
| publican national conventions.