Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-07-02
ROARING TRIBUTE
IS GIVEN WILSON
PORTRAIT OF THE PRESIDENT
PRovokEs Widest SORT
OF DEMONSTRATION.
TUNULT RE|GNS A HALF HOUR
First Notes Of "The Star-Spanged
Banner Brought Great Convention
To Ito Feet In Tribute.

|
San Francisco, June 2S.-From the,
shadow OF the Golden Gate the hosts
of democracy sent roaring tribute
across the country to President Will
son.
The national convention flung aside
for the moment the business before
it, while delegates carried on dem
onstration that swept the great gath
erlng off its feet. 1t was a half hour
before the outburst evoked by a
sudden display of the Presidents por-
trait could be stilled. Again and
again as his name was mentioned the
cheers broke out anew to eliminate in
the shout OF approval that adopted
and sent to the White House strik.
ing testimonial of his party and
pride in the man who has led il
through troublesome years.
Arrangements for the first ma
tional political convention to be held
in the FAR west had been well made
The great hall, its clean architectural
lines almost unmarried by added dec
orations. was ready, and through 4
dozen wide entries there, thousands
poured in with little delay or conges-
ton. They found wide octagon
space awaiting them with a mas
sve organ rearing its stockade Of
pipes above the platform and the
other sides rising to a far line OF
seats under high windows framing
squares Of California's bluest skies
In the center OF the hall where del
egates sat rallied within wide square
OF seats. an inner ceiling was suspend
ed. colored in soft, old blue. that
rested the eye and lent something OF
quiet dignity to the scene.
Below forest OF standards beas-
ing the names of states and terrific
ries was the only reminder OF national
conventions Of the past
Perched high beside the organ in
special gallery. military band whiled
away the time.
Opening Time Approaches.
AS the noon hour and the opening
line approached, color guard OF ma
Ines appeared on the platform. A
'ixfoot sergeant. with the cleaning
Odds OF regimental flag in his his
land made vivid spot of color on
he platform. At his side stood the
rmed non-cOmmssioned officers Of
he color guard and with them two
marine buglers,
When Vice Chairman Kremer. ~
he national committee, gave the sig
lal. a bugler sounded attention."
he sharp, staccato call rang out over
he uproar OF conversation The first
otes of "The Star-Spangled Banner"
ang out from the band and the or
an together, and as delegates, alter.
ateS, spectators and attendants
TODD in tribute, a monster flag drop
ed from the ceiling to form a wall
+ color behind the platform. 1t OBJ
cured the view of the hand and or
an loft, but as it fell the booming
)nes OF the organ rose from behind
!, joining the majestic thunder in
lie national anthem.
Then came the touch that set the
invention off with a wild shout OF
The great flag was gath
red slowly upward in the sings and
5 it rose. it uncovered a flag draped
nd illumned portrait of President
Tilson placed against the high pipes
the organ. For a moment there
as brief pause. Then came the
mutt.
A wild shout rang down from the
DOR. 1t was caught up and echoed
ON side to side. Rising with hys-
rical force, the sound grew and
'ew, formless, toneless thing that
I'd in 1t something that stirred tho
God and pulled at the emotions. Del
,ates leaped on their chairs. waving
Id shouting. They stampeded into
e aisles, jostling and cheering in
packed mass before the platform.
Over in the Virginia section del,
'ate ripped the standard from the
OPP and charged toward the speakers
and waving it high in the air. Other
ates followed Some of them were
over to get in motion, but as the
outing and tumult continued stand
d after standard came up and
g march around the hall bersn. In
New York section. Assistant Sec.
tary of the Navy Roosevelt seized
e standard and rushed into tho
DIVIDED aisle battling with others
10 sought with eager hands to up
Id the sign.