Herbert Clark Hoover never spent a more eventful week than last.
He listened attentively at the radio, nodded approvingly as Senator Smoot droned the G. O. Platform into the Missouri microphones.
On the evening, friends assembled in the living room of the Hoover home. Negro butlers, directed by Mrs. Hoover, served lemonade. There were carnations in the vases. Associate Justice Stone, of the U. S. Supreme Court, and Mrs. Stone were there; also the Vernon Kelloggs, George Barr Baker, assistant to the Attorney General, William J. ("Wild Bill") Donovan, Mrs. William E. Borah, and the Herbert Clark Hoover Jrs. Herbert Clark Hoover III and Peggy Anne Hoover were put to bed long before anything exciting happened.*
The radio was going. Shortly after the monstrous voice of John L. McNab was heard, at about eight o'clock, the radio sounded as if it had broken. It began to roar, hum, shriek, blare, clatter. The Beaver Man's name had been placed before the convention.
Mr. Hoover walked in and out of the living room, gnawing cigars. A bat flew in at the window. Guests and butlers chased it upstairs.
The balloting began coming over the radio. Guests kept score. When the nomination was complete, Mrs. Hoover went to her husband and took both his hands in hers, but said nothing. A few minutes later, he appeared to newsgatherers in an outer room. "I can't say anything tonight, gentlemen. Of course, I'm very happy," he said.
The radio reported the telegram which Chairman Moses was sending from the convention to its nominee: "It is not so much that we give you this nomination as that you have earned the right to it ... etc., etc."
But the greatest moment in the Beaver Man's life up to that time did not arrive until the actual telegram came and he could issue his acceptance.
"You convey too great a compliment when you say that I have earned the right to the presidential nomination. No man can establish such an obligation upon any part of the American people. My country owes me no debt. It gave me, as it gives every boy and girl, a chance. . . .
"My whole life has taught me what America means. I am indebted to my country beyond any human power to repay. It conferred upon me the mission to administer America's response to the appeal of afflicted nations during the War. It has called me into two Cabinets of two Presidents. By these experiences I have observed the burdens and responsibilities of the greatest office in the world. That office touches the happiness of every home. It deals with the peace of nations. No man could think of it except in terms of solemn consecration.
"You ask me for a message:
". . . At a later date I shall discuss it (the platform) fully, but in the meantime I may well say that under the principles the victory of the party will assure national defense, maintain economy in the administration of government, protect American workmen, farmers and businessmen alike from competition arising out of lower standards of living abroad, foster individual initiative, insure stability of business and employment, promote our foreign commerce and develop our national resources.