The state herald., 1916-06-09
NATIONAL GATHERING OPENED
FORMALLY IN CHICAGO.
CROWD FILLS COLISEUM
Senator Harding Of Ohio 10 Elected
Temporary Chairman and Deliv-
ers the Keynote Speech
Committees Are Named.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

party opened Its great quadrennial
day before capacity house. Despite
the fact that the proceedings Of the
first session were to be only prelim-
mary formalities, the people flocked
to the Coliseum by the thousand and
poured through the many entrances
In solid streams for hours. When
Charles d. Hilles. chairman Of the ma
tional committee, arose at II
O'Clock and took up the gavel to call
the convention TO order there was not
one vacant seat In the immense struc-
ture.
1t was q fine setting for an i'm.
portant event. The Coliseum was dec
grated as never before. with flags and
bunting draping the girders and gal
leries and covering all bare spots on
the end walls. Up In a gallery at the
south end Of the hall q brass band
was pouring forth patriotic and popu-
lar airs. Back Of the speakers ros-
trum. where sat Mr.. Hilles and his
working force Of thirty-five men were
grouped many members of the diplo-
matte corps who had como on from
Washington, and the distinguished
guests of the convention, among them
all living ex.chairman Of Republican
national conventions. To the right
and left of these were placed the
members Of the national committee
and their guests.
In the body Of the hall, directly in
front Of the speakers stand, were the
991 delegates gathered about their
state standards, and back Of them sS1
alternates. Just below the rostrum
and on both sides Of 1t we're the 425
working newspaper men. and in the
galleries all around the hall were the
thousands Of spectators who had been
fortunate to obtain admission tickets.
Convention Begins ousInsss.
Mr.. Hilles was heartily applaudsd
| when he stood before the throog.
gavel In hand. He spoke but briefly
In calling the great gathering 70 or.
der. and called ON Rev. John Timothy
Stone. pastor Of the Fourth Presby-
tsrian church Of Chicago. to deliver
the invocation. DR.. Stones eloquent
and impressive prayer was followed
by the reading Of the call for the
convention BY James B. Reynolds Of
Massachusetts,. secretary Of the M.
tional committee.
Mr.. Hilles then called for nomina-
tions for temporary chairman. OF
course the selection Of United States
Senator Charles Warren Harding Of
Ohio for that position had been all
settled long ago and his election By
unanimous vote was only q formally.
Senator Harding 10 an imposing fig
ure. and ~ he accepted the gavsl
from the hands Of Mr.. Hilles he was
enthusiastically cheered.
Chairman Hardlne's Address.
Chairman Harding launched at once
into his Keynote speech. and did not
belle his reputation for eloquence and
deftness Of phrase He began with
warm plea for harmony In the party
ranks. coupled with the confident a..
sertion that such harmony already
WAS an assured fact. With unctuous
sentences he skillfully oiled the way
for the smooth return Of those who lsft
the party four years ago to follow the
Bull Moose standard. and he declared
to them and 70 the world that he did
not believe there was . really reae-
tionary Republican among the dele
gates.
A might have been expected. Mr..
Harding early In his address took UP
the subject Of national defense. His
uttsrancss on this topic were reason.
ably emphatic and In line with tho
preparedness sentiment that has been
spreading ovor the land. Our national
unselfishness has been proved since
the great war broke out. he said, and
our national weakness In defense re-
vsaied. Tho foreign policy Of the
Democratic administration. both In re-
lation to Europe and In the matter Of
Mexico. was dealt with In few caus-
tic sentences. and the plan to turn
lose" the Philippines also was
scored.
Tho speaker devoted some attention
i " tuu uV"Ns bShs sk'PubbNAu Votbt
Of view. for = protective thrift. and
then turned to the topic Of American.
Ism. Hero no once more let his slo-
quence have full play. and his call
for loyalty. devotion and love for tho
United statcs on tho part Of every one
Of IL citixons was answered by =
roar Of cheers.
verify. Il In good to bc nn Ameri.
can. And We may rejoice to bo Re-.
publicnns." he concluded.
Routine Business Transacted.
when tho bnnd Music that burst
forth Mt tho ond Of Senator Hardings
speech was over and tho assomblnxs
| Quietcd down again. the other tempo.
rsry officers were nominated and
elected, and tho chnirmen OF the vari.
ous state delegations were called on
10 send up tho nsmos Of tho mon
selected by tho delegations 10 repre-.
sent tNom on tho committees