The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-07-11
.GLOOMIEST OF ALL CONVENTIONS WAS
 THAT OF 6. Q. P.
Oppressive Shadow Over Gathering As Delegates Sought Anybody to Beat Wilson,"

E Two facts stand out above all else in regard to the Republican National Convention at Chicago: First, 1t was the gloomiest party gathering in the history of the G. o. P. Second. Pres ident Wilson's tremendous prestige be- fore the country cast a shadow over the convention which held the atten- ton of the Republican leaders more closely than any immediate phase of the task before them.
 They sought Anybody to beat Will son." The Republican leaders nurtur- ed no illusion as to the Presidents staning before the country. They could not sweep aside the realization that MT. Wilson was enjoying the lar gest measure of popularity which the country ever has accorded him.
 Many expert witnesses bear testi- mony to; the gloom which enveloped the Convention City.
 Like Memorial Services.
 Owen Johnson, the famous novelist says in his account of the convention;
 T expected, if not real enthusiasm, at least professional stimulation of enthusiasm from a we'll trained chorus. Nothing has been more striking than this inability to move the delegation to any real outburst of feeling. There seems to be nothing but doubt and uncertainty in the air. The first days, the speeches of the temporary chair man and the succeeding orations have been like memorial services over the body of great leader. Everything else is evasion. Nothing specific is urged or condemned"
 MT. Johnson continues: For this is the impression the Republican con- vention is settling upon the minds of those who watch and wonder; a body without youth, without youths ideals and joy of combat. A great middle aged complacency sitting in fatuous belief that the world lies within the walls of. the Coliseum. thinking only in terms of itself, seeing neither the writing on the wall nor listening to the voices without.
 The correspondent of the New York Sun (Republican) renders competent testimony as to the gloom which beset his party gathering. Says he:
 Having made Justice Hughes their candidate solely because they were unable to concentrate on any other man the leaders remained glum when the choice was registered and the dele- gates relapsed into apathy. They had completed the business suggested by the logic of the situation, but they were not inspired to cheer"
 Lacked Enthusiasm to Parade.
 The correspondent of the Sun con- tinues: ',s.
 Attempts were made to organize parades around the hall, but the dele gates lacked the enthusiasm to fall into line and march. There was a little z ,oradic cheering, but it came in spurts and gusts and got nowhere. For the most part the mass of delegates stood in the aisles or upon their chairs, look ing about to see what others were doing and keeping quiet themselves Some of them stroked their chins in a perplexed sort of way. Many held troubled look in their eyes. No where was perceptible any of the slam bang, downright enthusiasm which of ten follows i'll the nomination of a can- didate for President"
 Polar Bear G. O. P. Emblem.
 No wonder that William Jennings Bryan in his story of the convention twas moved to declare that henceforth