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A demonstration followed. When Senator Walsh had secured order, he delivered a speech, not so eloquent as Senator Harrison's, but of the same significance, concluding: "The honor of our country, the prosperity of our people, demand that we return to the ideals of Woodrow Wilson, that we resume the place he won for us—the moral leadership of the world."
The Committee on Rules made its report, which included the two-thirds requirement for nomination. After much talk about abolishing this rule in favor of a simple majority nomination, the old rule was retained without a fight.
With a cheer, the Convention passed a resolution which read: . . .
"RESOLVED, That the magnificent address of the Temporary Chairman is hereby commended as a Democratic chart during the coming Democratic National Campaign. . . .
"RESOLVED, That 'Our Pat' is no longer a Mississippian slogan but a national Democratic slogan, and let us all claim it."
Nominating Speeches. "The next order of business," declared Mr. Walsh, "is the presentation of candidates for President of the United States. The Secretary will call the roll of States."
"Alabama," intoned the clerk.
Alabama responded. Mr. Forney Johnston, slender, intellectual, appeared on the platform. Said he:
"My State does not lightly put in nomination a candidate for President. For decade after decade, Alabama has yielded her first place in the roll of States to permit the nomination of some great son by a sister commonwealth.
"Upon this occasion we cannot yield."
The Convention, however, was not particularly responsive to Mr. Johnston's remarks until he reached the subject of the Ku Klux Klan. The Convention pricked up its ears as he declared: "The question before this party is whether secret organizations shall be given powers not subject to the Bill of Rights and superior to the elected representatives of the people."
But when he finally mentioned the Klan by name, half of the Convention rose with a shout. Alabama marched down the aisle, New York fell in behind. Eighteen states, McAdoo states, sat tight, while the marchers shouted: "Get up, you Kleagles!" A fight resulted from an attempt to snatch the Missouri and Colorado standards into the parade. When the uproar subsided, Mr. Johnston named Senator Underwood.
The enthusiasm of the audience was only moderate, yet Senator Walsh knocked off the head of his gavel, pounding for order.
"Arkansas," screamed the clerk.
Ex-Governor Charles H. Brough came forward on behalf of "Arkansas, the gateway of the great progressive Southwest," saying: "A youth of adversity . . . a man of virtue and honesty . . . for the immortal principles of Democracy . . . Senator Joseph T. Robinson."
There was a legal sufficiency of applause and the band played on while some one went in search of ex-Senator James D. Phelan, who was to nominate Mr. McAdoo for California.
Ex-Senator Phelan did not hold his audience. He went through every word of his lengthy prepared address, but the delegates were not interested and busied themselves with other subjects. Time and again the enraged Senator Walsh rapped with his gavel, demanded order, directed the Sergeants-at-arms to clear the aisles. At length the onetime Senator named his man.
Apathy suddenly gave way to excitement. Delegates and