The Washington herald., 1920-06-29
Demonstration Tame Com
pared With Cyclonic
Precedents.
PEACE FERVOR INTENSE
Frisco Crowd Shows Cam.
paign Will Be Made on
Administration Record.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.
Copyright, 1910. ty Public Ledger Col


San Francisco. June 2s.-Fifteen
minutes of more or less fervid
demonstration for Woodrow Wilson
and wholesale denunciation of the
vague and vacillating" Republican
platform distinguished the opening
of the Democratic National Conven-
tion today.
The organized glorification of the
President. though spectscularly
staged and marked by Lconsiderable
failed by forty-five min
utes to attain the projected dimen-
sions.
Compared to cyclonic convention
ovations that names like Bryan and
Roosevelt have stirred in the past
the greeting accorded Woodrow
Wilson was tame and pallid.
The President indisputably COM
mands the respect of thefsan Fran
cisco convention. At the opening
session he was telegraphed a vote
of its confidence, sympathy and ad-
miration. But it has yet to be
demonstrated that he is capable of
fixing its passionate affections
Keynote addresses by Homer. s.
Cummings. temporary chairman, and
J. Bruce Kremer. vice chairman of
the national committee. revealed the
lines along which the Democratic
candidates will give battle in 1890.
They will fight under a banner that
pledges approval OF Incompatible
and inspiring leadership" Of Wood
ow Wilson and that excoriates the
reaction and reputation" for which
the Republican party Is alleged to
stand. The Democratic party will
honor itself for having won the war
and being the one organization that
is bent upon perpetuating peace. It
will pose as the exponent OF dis
assail the Republican party as the
embodiment of "militarism, provin-
'cialism and world chaos"
Party Exalts Record.
Herculean attempts, II was made
plain, will be put forth to depict the
Democratic party. not only as win
ner of the war, but as world savior.
With Josephus Daniels beaming
smugly from the platform. tenn
porary Chairman Cummings recited
eloquently the achievements of the
United States navy in 1917 and 1918,
and amid hearty cheers, told how
the United States army. under Gen.
Pershing. had virtually won the
war with the hammer blow at "Se-
dan"
But the biggest guns which the
Democratic party will. bring up to
assail the November election
heights will belch of peace and not
of war. They will shrek that it
Is the Democratic party alone that
stands for rebuilding a war-shat-
tered world, and through a league
of nations, for practical prevention
Of recurring wars.
The copvention's reception Of
those keynote campaign slogans
was unmistakably cordial. It is
clear that a Wilsonian platform on
the outstanding question of a peace
treaty and the league Is certain of
Endorsement. The first episode in the
convention drama was the curtain
raising in honor of Woodrow Will
son. While the band played Amer
ica," a giant edition of stars and
stripes almost the entire width of
the auditorium began slowly to un-
fold itself from the uppermost raft
ers.
BY the time 1t had fallen to its
full depth OF rs to so feet the play
ing of the anthem was finished.
Then the huge flag was pulled up
again and gradually there began to
emerge from behind II a massive
portrait of woodrow Wilson, nag
'bedecked and electrically illuminat-
cd. A tornado of cheers greeted II.
For FIVE minutes they continued
with fuctuating fervor. When the
clamor threatened to die down or
out, the band would strike up
popular melody like Hail. Hail, the
Gangs All Here" or ''There'll, Be a
Hot Time in Old Town Tonight"
and the noise would be given a new
lease of life.
Parade Gives 1t Impetus.
At the end of five minutes IL look
ed as IL the demonstration might
peter out. Then some of the South
ern States. headed by Virginia,
started a parade of delegation sign
posts around the convention floor.
The Pennsylvania standard, sur
rounded by Palmer nags and the
delegations silken banner. was In
the van.
Texas Mississippi. North Carolina
and Arkansas were close behind.
Eventually virtually all the State
delegations Joined the PROCESSION.
New York, 1t was noticed. was
among the last to do so. When its
standard finally was hoisted, there
was a fresh outburst of cheers. So
1t went on for roundly fifteen min
utes. the demonstration at last COM
ing to an end amid a flicker OF des-
ultory cheers.
Compared to the Chicago convention
it must be said the Demoeratic con.
clave has begun operations amid
genuine enthusiasm: IL may be due
to the coolness Of generally greater
comfort of the San Francisco Audi
torium.
The first speaker to test the hear
coStlsUsp on PAGE THREE.