The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-08-15
GREAT GATHERING
Progressive Convention in ChiCa-
90 Breaks All Records
BATTLE FOR TIE RIGHT
EClipSes All Others in Attendance,
Enthusiasm and Loyal De-
v0tien to a Cause
Editorial Correspondence

Editorial Correspondence
My letter, written in Chicago at
the close of the first days session,
naturally was incomplete so far as
description OF the Progressive con-
vention and what it did was con-
cerned. Now that 1T is over and l
am home again there are many more
things to be said that are of interest
to the public: so many, in fact, that
l hardly know where to begin or
where to leave off. Several things,
however, impressed all the delegates,
alternates and spectators. The con-
vention was record breaker:
First, in attendance.
Second, in genuine enthusiasm.
Third, in it's personnel.
Fourth, in it's devotion to it's cause.
Fifth, in it's optimism.
The Coliseum seats fifteen thous-
and people. On Monday, the first
day, all but about 1000 of these seats
were occupied. On Tuesday, when
Colonel Roosevelt delivered his fam
Gus confession of Faith" there was
not vacant seat in that vast audi
forum and hundreds were standing.
occupying every possible point of
vantage, some even perching up
among the steel rafters. On Wed
nesday, the closing day, when Will
liam A. Prendergast of New York
made the speech nominating Theo-
dores Roosevelt, the audience W as
nearly as large as on Tuesday. The
Chicago papers admitted that the at
tendance was record breaker, some
of them unwillingly, but they admit
ted it just the same.
In point of enthusiasm the Pro-
gressive convention had all it's prede-
cessors ''beaten to a FRAGILE" There
have been ovations and demonstra-
lions in political conventions, but
nothing like what occurred at the
Progressive conclaye. Unlike other
conventions, this one was a unit for
a cause and for it's leaders. When
cheering started it was participated
in by every one. Beveridge was given
fifteen minutes of it at the close of
his masterful grafton on Monday.
For one solid hour did the vast audi
ence cheer Roosevelt when he ap-
peared on Tuesday. On Wednesday,
at the close of the Prendergast NOM
mating speech, came another demon
stration lasting forty-fve minutes.
This cheering was not manufactured
by one faction to down an opposing
| faction: it was genuine, and it was
participated in by every person in the
! house.
On Tuesday when Colonel Roose-
velt mounted the platform beside
Senator Beveridge, the latter intro
duced him with the words: 1.-THE
hour and the man." Then ensued a
scene that beggars description. Ban
dannas waved, bands played, delega-
tions tore up their standards and
marched and countermarched, people
sang, shouted, yelled, cheered and in
dulged in various contortions, t h e
long, low call of the Bull Moose per-
vaded the hall at intervals. Repeat
edly. as the noise died down bit,
Beveridge brought his gavel down
with resounding whack, but that
only started things again. The Col
onel stood through it all bowling,
smiling and occasionally waving his
bandanna to the crowd and to Mrs.
Roosevelt who occupied box seat
over the main entrance. Finally,
from sheer exhaustion, the crowd
quieted down and the Colonel began
his famous Confession of Faith, -
which was punctuated throughout
with liberal applause, and when he