since passed into history. But most of them were almost unknown in 1856. It will probably be so with the membership of the National Republican Convention of 1900. When the history of the next forty-four years shall have been written, many of its prominent actors will doubtless be found to have sat in the Convention which re-nominated William McKinley.

A HARMONIOUS CONVENTION

The Convention met without contest or difference, collision or controversy over the platform, and the leaders claimed that it had done its work, accomplished its declared purpose, and presented to the voters of the country a record of good deeds done and intended when it outlined its past achievements and proposed its future policy.

When it had met four years before in St. Louis the gold standard needed to be asserted, and was disputed even within the party, the national credit was lower than for twenty years before, the tariff demanded revision to save the industries of the country, whose foreign trade had declined, while its protests against misgovernment in Cuba had been contemned by Spain. The party at the Convention of 1900 claimed that these issues had all been met; that they had all been solved; that the arduous labor they demanded had been done. No differences were left to be adjusted, and the country stood ready to approve the success of the past by giving the party another term of office.

This, the twelfth Convention, showed no less enthusiasm and buoyant party spirit than was shown at the meeting of previous Conventions. There were in attendance the distinguished leaders of the party, and men of thought and action in State and national counsels. The speeches delivered reached the "highwater mark" of earnestness and eloquence, all of which presaged one of the most important and interesting campaigns in the nation's history.

The hall selected for the meeting of the Convention, probably the largest and finest in the United States for this purpose, seated fully 25,000 people, and was arranged with all the conveniences and

equipments for handling and moving large assemblies. It had been erected for the Philadelphia Commercial Museum, one of the most important institutions in the land, and used for the National Export Exposition of 1899

FIRST DAY OF THE CONVENTION

Men who have attended previous Conventions recall that Harrison was nominated in the Minneapol's Exposition building, in which the lack of acoustic properties defied all the forensic forces of the speakers, and McKinley was nominated at St. Louis in a wigwam which was a terror to every man who tried to impress his col leagues with his eloquence.

All these Convention halls failed immeasurably in comparison with the splendid auditorium in which the twelfth Convention of the Republican party was assembled. The expressions of delight at its majestic proportions were followed by others of surprise and profound satisfaction that the voice from the platform carried to the remotest door, and brought the personality, the logic, and the oratory of the speakers to every one of the thousands of eager listeners who filled the structure. It was a testimony, moreover, of the metropolitan way in which Philadelphia does things, and the word was certain to be carried to the remotest corners of the land, that no quadrennial assemblage of either of the great parties had been so comfortably and delightfully lodged as this one.

Chairman Hanna called the Convention to order at 12.35 P.M., and introduced the Rev. Gray J. Bolton, who delivered the invocation. Senator Dick, of the National Committee, read the call for the Convention, and the entire audience rose to its feet when the band began to play "The Star-Spangled Banner." Senator Hanna, in his opening remarks, eulogized Philadelphia as the “Cradle of Liberty," and said that this "beehive of industry" is all the evidence necessary to demonstrate the great principles of the Republican party. He thanked the people for their hospitality. When he referred to President McKinley the Convention went into an uproar.

He closed by introducing Senator E. O. Wolcott, of Colorado, as temporary chairman of the Convention. Senator Wolcott, in a few graceful words, accepted the appointment, and spoke in a most eloquent manner, in which he eulogized President McKinley as a patriotic, wise and courageous leader, and an example of the highest type of American manhood. After speaking of the President as one of the greatest leaders the party has ever had, he paid a glowing tribute to the memory of the late Vice-President Hobart, and spoke of him as always a trusted friend and adviser of the President, "Sage in counsel, and wise in judgment."

SENATOR WOLCOTT THE TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN

As to the excessive war tax, Senator Wolcott predicted that before President McKinley's term would expire many of the duties would be lightened; that new legislation would be passed, which would rebuild our merchant marine, and provide for building, owning and operating, under exclusive American control, a ship canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific. He referred in eloquent language to the war with Spain, and the noble sacrifices the North and the South had made in behalf of home and country, to alleviate the sufferings of the neighboring people, and secure for them the same liberties which we ourselves enjoy. He discussed our relations with Porto Rico and our power to deal with foreign possessions, claiming that the action taken by the administration was a wise one. He also asserted that the Republican party would adhere literally to its declaration in regard to the freedom of Cuba. In scathing terms he spoke of the American citizens who had gone to Cuba for the purpose of perpetrating frauds which had brought a blush of shame to every American. He declared that the Republican party would be the first to right any wrongs that had been done, and to bring to justice those who had done wrong; and in regard to the Philippires that it was our duty to keep them, and that their abandonment would be a confession that we were not able to protect them, and that we would be doing what no other