The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-14

not allowed to march into it. There was little excitement or cheering dur ing. the half hour proceeding the open ing of the convention. Moving pie ture machines an cameras were placed at every vantage point.
 Because of the heat, under a glaring skylight, many of the delegates re- moved their coats and it promised soon to be a coatless crowd.
 At 11:45 the official band began the opening concert in accompiment to a male quartet that sang a new song about America through mega phones.
 The national committee has adopted a design for a campaign button sug- gested by National Committeeman Mclean, of North Carolina. It hears picture of President Wilson with the motto America First'' in red let ters.
 Just before the convention was called to order the band struck up Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean, and the delegates rose, joiRing in the chorus and waving American flags.
 Dixie brought a roar, interrupted with the rebel yell. William J. Bryan was given an ovation as he took his seat in the press section. MT. Bryan smiled his appreciation, got out his pencil and prepared for his reportoriaI duties
 A wooden tiger was sent to Chair
  delegation.
 Chairman McCombs took his place at his desk at 12:3O amid cheers and applause. A rev thumps of his gavel on a wooden sounding board quickly secured order and he cried; ''The convention will be in Order.''
 One verse of America was then sung by the entire crowd, with tossing flags in rhythm. This was followed by one verse of the Star Spangled Banner
 Rev. James Lee, Methodist Episco- pal clergyman, read this proyer:
 I've thank Thee, O Lord, for all the great relationships which bind us to- gether as a, people. May we recognize our government and the laws under. which we live; so many means or dained by God, and approved and re- enacted into statutes and institutions by the citizens, for the building of the American people into one great social whole, so that the vast national body, ftly joined together and competed by that which every member suppheths according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, may make increase of the body unto the upbulld- ing of itself in good will and power.
 "we thank Thee, O Lord, beyond and above all other things, at this time for the wisdom, conservatism and patience shown by thy servant. the President of the United States, and by those associated with him in authority. which have enabled them to keep the people of this country out of the horrible and insane war, which is destroying the life and threatening with bankruptcy and ruin the civiliza- ton of mankind. From the very bot tom of our hearts, O Lord, do we thank Thee, that the leaders called to guide our ship of state through the awful storm of fire and blood that has been raging. for the past two years have not lost their heads.
 Grant, O Lord, that there may be one wide stretching region between the oceans left as a refuge for the stricken, starving and the hopeless of all the earth. May there be one hos pitab1e spot on the planet kept free from the fierce heat of the world con fIct. Hay there remain, amid the falling rafters and gable ends Of European governments, one great roony abiding place in order that despair may not paralyze the hearts and faith of men in one another and in the love of the eternal God, our Father.
 Let + be the function of the people of the United States to denonstrate that it is possible for human beings to adjust their relations to one an other and settle their difficulties be- tween one another, without practicfng the laws of the jungle. Let it be the function of our country, through it's constituted authorities, to show to the world that man is a higher being than the tiger and hyena, and that he has other faculties by means of which to express himself, in times of stress and temper, than by horns and teeth and claws, such as the wild beasts use In making their way in the world.
 CContinued on Page AAA