Middletown transcript., 1920-07-03
DEMOCRATIC
CONVENTION OPENS
Called to Order BY Vice Chair
man Kremer
CUMMINGS KEYNOTE SPEECH
Cummings Keynote Speech cheered-
Thrusts At Republicans And
Platform Are Warmly
Received.

san FrancQScO.-FTOm the shadow
Of the Golden Gate the hosts of DAmoc-
racy sent a roaring tribute across the
country to President Wilson.
The national convention flung aside
for the moment the business before it
while delegates carried on a demon
stration that swept the great gather
ing off its feet.
1t was half hour before the out
burst, evoked by sudden display OF
the Presidents portrait, could be
stiIled. Again and again as his name
was mentioned the cheers broke out
anew to culminate in the shout of ap.
proval that adopted and sent to the
White House a striking testimonial
Of his par'ty's faith and pride in the
man who has led it through troublous
years.
Arrangements for the first national
political convention ito be held in the
Far West had been we'll made. The
great hail. its clean architectural lines
almos. unmarried by added decorations,
was ready, and through a dozen wide
entrances thousands poured in with
little delay or congestion. They found
4 wide octagon space awaiting them,
with a massive organ rearing its stock
ade of pipes above the platform and
the other sides rising to far line of
seats under high windows framing
squares of California's blue skies.
In the center of the hall, where dele.
gates sat rallied within a wide square
of seats, the inner ceiling was sus-
pended, colored in soft, old blue that
rested the eye and lent something of
quiet dignity to the scene.
Below, forest Of standards bearing
the names OF States and Territories
was the only reminder of national con-
ventions of the past. Perched high be.
side the organ in a special gallery a
military band whiled away the time.
As the noon hour and the opening
time approached, color guard OF ma
rines appeared on the platform. A six
foot sergeant, with the cleaning folds
Of regimenItal flag in his hand, made
vivid spot of color on the platform.
At his side stood the armed noncom.
missioned officers of the color guard
and with them two marines buglers.
When Vice Chairman Kremer, OF the
national committee, gave the signal, a
bugler sounded attention" The sharp,
staocato call rang out over the uproar
Of conversation. The first notes Of 1.-THE
Star-Spangled Banner" swelled from
the band and the organ together, and
as delegates, alternates, spectators and
attendants stood in tribute, a monster
flag dropped from the ceiling to form
a wall of color behind the platform. It
obscured the view of the band, gallery
and organ Loft, but as it fell, the boom
ing tones of the organ rose from be-
hind 1T, 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 the
convention off with a wild shout Of
exul.ation, The great flag was gath.
ercd slowly upward in the slings and
as it rose it uncovered fag-draped
and Illuminated portrait OF President
Wilson placed against the high pipes
Of the organ. Fer moment there was
. brief pause. Then came the tumult.
A wild shout rang from the floor. Il
was caught up and echoed from side to
side. Rising with hysterical force, the
sound grew and grew, a formless, tone
less thing that had in it something
that stirred the blood and pulled at
the emotions. Delegates leaped on
tpeir chairs, waving and shouting.
\ They stampeded into the aisles, post