The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-15
1t Is a Gathering without Any
Popular Idol.
CROWD SINGS JOHN BROWN
And Nobody Challenges the
Hanging of JEFF Davis.
May Even Render ''Marching
Through Georgia" Next.
(BY WILLIAM ALLEN wHITE.)
Copyright, 1916. by George Matthew
Adams.)


Copyright, 1916, by George Matthew
Adams.)
st. Louis, June 15.-The Democratic
National convention has revealed it
self as a body without emotion. 1t is
not gloomy; nor Hstless. 1t is amiable
self satisfied and happy but in its
widest moment of joy. filled with the
Joyous enthusiasm of postmasters as
the sands of the sea, it could only
squeak out the tribute of a fifteen
minute cheer for President Wilson.
Yet it is a Wilson convention clear
through.
Wilson and the convention are in
entire accord; but Wilson is not the
popular idol. The crowd has no pop
ular idol. 1t is not hero workshop
ing convention. And because there
are no contests, no uncertainties in
any outcome, because there are no
places where large self-inIerests clash
in any possible issue of the convention,
the delegates sit placidly and listen to
a defense of President Wilson, rise to
greet the oratorical climaXes of the
speaker with proper decorum and flag
waving, and then sincerely hope ne
will close in time to let them see the
first inning of the ball game.
1t takes differences to arouse pas
eions. and the differences are wanting.
So without a protest Democratic
convention let a band recruited from
a younger generation, to whom all war
songs sound alike, play a long list of
Union war songs and the crowd join
ed in singing John Browns body!
. Doubtless in the chorus that Swelled
from the young threats many voices
sang, Wen hang Jeff Davis on a
angelic is this cherubic convention
that it would not lift a voice of COM
plant.
Tomorrow. the band may try
Marching Thro' Georgia. to see what
happens The unterrified Democracy
of twenty years ago, rampant, uncom-
promising, and consciously militant
has gone for the time to the happy
land which beckoned old Black Joe,
and here today were only the angel
voices calling-calling. but with small
response.
n Few High Moments.
Every few minutes, when the key
noter touched off an oratorical sky
rocket. the delegates waved their
flags, the white lights flashed on, and
the moving picture machines began to-
rattle, and a deluded world will see
the Democrats whooping it up for
their cause. But the picture shows
only the high moments, and leaves
unemphasized the long patient, and
by no means unpleasant moments of
the session during which the delegates
sat cheerfully but not enthusiastically
and waited for the -gavel to fall upon
adjournment
The keynote speech was rather
more directly aimed at the Progress
sives than at the Democrats. The
Democrats here seem to think they
have a sort of rescue home for fallen
Moosers, and Governor Glynn, who
abused the Republicans and who
jeered and jibed at "swashbucklers,"
to L q
when the convention called, Name
him, name him. Neither did the
keynoter have any unkind words for
the Bull Moosers in general. He
made a speech for preparedness and
a strong foreign policy that was clear
it was so adroitly worded that it
pleased Bryan.
Cheers for Bryan.
Bryan came into the convention,
with a reporters badge on, amid a
storm of cheers, but curiously enough
not so loud nor so long as greeted him
in the Bull Moose convention last
week. Among the reporters sat Bryan,
his fine bald head looming up, like
the helmet of Navarro, and when he
nodded it in approval of the peace
claims of Governor Glynn, Bryan was
something more iii the convention
than a bystander. This is the first
l
has not been dominated by Bryan as a
delegate or as a candidate. 1t will be
rather unusual, if a convention of a
party which he has led for twenty
years shall sit beside him coldly and
casual to his opinions.
He is doing all in his power to open
the door wide for the Progressives.
But his power seems at the moment
rather unimportant. For this is es-
sentially a Wilson convention, even
though its outward manifestation of
loyalty to the president is well under
control. But it must be remembered
that President Wilson himself is no
rabble rouser, and his temperament is
reflected in his party's convention
Hence the Obvious repression of its
natural emotions and its air of de-
tachment from the universe save al
the point where matter touches the
ball game.
May Send for Wilson.
The friends of President Wilson are
thinking seriously of asking him to
come to st. Louis Saturday to receive
the Democratic nomination by a for
NAL speech This decision has not been
reached, but it is pending, because of
the fear among many Democratic
leaders that to defer uncontested NOM
nations for president and vice presi-
dent for three days will wear out the
patience of the crowd. This is the