Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-07-01
CONVENTION GOES
WILD OVER WILSON
Tr e m n dOus Demonstration
Marks Opening of National
Democratic Gathering at San
Francisco


country to-day to President Wilson.
The national convention flung aside for
the moment the business before it while
delegates carried on n demonstration that
swept the great gathering Off its feet.
1t was half hour bfore the outburst
evoked by a sudden display of the Presi-
dents portrait 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 tonight a strik-
ing testimonial of his partys faith and
pride in the man who has led It through
troublous years.
IDEAL CONVENTION HALL
Arrangements for the first national no
litical convention to be held in the far
west had been well made. The great
hall, its clean architectural lines almost
unmarried by added decorations was ready
and through dozen wide entries thou
sands poured in with little delay or con-
gestion. They found wide octagonal
space awaiting them, With a massive 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 Caltfornia's bluest
skies.
gates sat rallied within a wide square Of
;Cats. an inner ceiling was SUSPENDED
colored in soft, old blue that rested the
eye and lent something Of quiet dignity
to Che scene.
Below. a forest of standards bearing the
names Of States and Territories was the
only reminder Of national conventions Of
the past
Perched high beside the organ in a
special gallery, a military band whbed
away the time.
AS the noon hour and the opening time
approached a color guard of marines ap-
peared on the platform. six-foot ser
geant, with the cleaning folds of reSi-
mental flag in his hand, made vivid spot
of color on the platform. At his side
stood the armed on-commssioned off,
GERS of the color guard and with them
two marine buglers.
A GREAT MOMENT
When vice-Chairman Kremer Of the
committee gave the signal, bugler
sounded Attention" the sharp staccato
call rang out over the uproar of con-
versation. The first notes Of The Star
Spanged Banner rang out from the band
and the organ together and as delegates.
alternatcs. spectators and attendants
stood In tribute a monster flag dropped
from the ceiling to form a wall of color
behind the platform. 1t obscured the
view of the band gallery and organ loft.
but as it fell, the booming tones of the
organ rose from behind it joining with
majestic thunder in the national anthem.
From floor and galleries. delegates and
spectators Joined in the mighty tones.
Then came the touch that set convention
off with a wild shout of eXultation. The
great flag was gathered slowly upward in
the sings and as it rose, it uncovered a
flag draped and iIlumined portrait Of Pres
ident Wilson, placed against the high
pipes Of the organ. For a moment there
was brief pause Then came the
tumult
APPLAUSE is RIOToUS
A wild shout rang from the floor. 1t was
caught up and echoed from side to side.
Rising with hysterical force, the sound
grew-a formless, toneless thing that
had in it something that stirred the blood
and pulled at the emotions Delegates
leaped on their chairs, waving and shout
ing. They stampeded into the aisles, jostl-
ing and cheering in a packed mass before
the platform.
Over in the Virginia section a delegate
ripped the standard from the loop and
charged toward the speakers stand, wav-
ing it high in the air. Other States fol-
lowed Some of them we're slower to get
in motion bu, as the shouting and tumult
continued. standard after standard came
up and the march around the hall began.
In the New York section. Assistant Secre-
tary of the Navy Roosevelt seized the
standard and rushed into the crowded
aisle battling with others who sought with
eager hands to uphold the sign A shout
of added intensity marked the delegates
recognition Of the incident and a cheer
for Roosevelt was an but lost in the gen.
eral tumuh
1t was long before order could be
restored Even when Vice Chairman
Kremer had laun ched upon his speech.
echoes of the storm still lurked in the
air. He was repeatedly interrupted by
the clamor of approval that greeted
every thrust at the Republican party
or at any reference to President will
son.
When Chairman Homer S Cummin G
'of the national committee had been
elected temporary chairman and es-
corted to the platform they finally
hushed and prepared to listen with
close attention to his keynote address S.
Delegates expected something to cheer
at They were in the mood for it and
they were not disappointed
CUMMINGS BANGS REPUBLICANS
Mr.. Cummings began in quiet
voice. few shouts of louder" came
from far back in the hall but he had
not proceeded far before the great
throng was 30 stifl that every SYLLABLE
was carried to the highest galleries
1t was long speech. Mr. Cummings
suggested that to his hearers but
cries of go on" Take your time -
met him. He drove his points homewa nd
and his audience was alert to clan them
with shouted approval At one min,
he chided the Chicago platform of the
Republlcans because 1t contained. he
said no word of hope for Ireland no
mercy for Armenia and because it "con.
cealed sword" for Mexico.
Back among the alternates a woman
ieaped to her feet at the mention of Ire.
land, shouting HISTORICALLY somethipr
anout british tyranny In Ireland"
That's the answer; we're not members
of the league" Chairman Cummings
called back to her. but even as he smoke
the sergeants at arms were moving down
to prevent further interruption and dele
gates Intent on their chairman's arraign.
ment of Republican policies shouted
"Sit down"
G. o. p, PLATFORM ATTACKED
When Mr.. Cummings characterized the
| Chicago platform as master piece OF
, evasion" shout greeted the attack and
moment later when he declared: "Old
Guard" had sold the honor of the nation
| at Chicago to name a "reactionary candi-
date 1t grew into a roar punctuated with
criea Of "Co 10 a. .sIIt. -.