When Non-Essentials Are Forgotten.
One incident that occurred at a Republican national convention tickled me immensely. It happened the morning after the nomination of Secretary Taft for the presidency. Senator Lodge, the dignified man from Massachusetts, was the presiding officer, and after the prayer at the opening of the session he remarked that he had decided to make a formal announcement which in the rush of the closing proceedings of the day before had been overlooked. “It is my pleasure to announce to you," he said, “that you” have nominated for the presidency, for the term beginning March 4 next, the Hon. William Howard Taft, of Ohio."
Not even Senator Lodge's dignity could remove from that announcement, belated to the extent of nearly a dozen hours, its element of comicality. The entire world had resounded for hours with the nomination, and like a timid echo came the announcement that it was all so. It was like the laugh at a joke which some slowly moving brain brings forth after everyone else has forgotten that there was a joke. Only, do not understand me as implying that Secretary Taft was a joke!
But I like it. I am much obliged to Senator Lodge for his lapse. It is indeed refreshing, in these formal days, to find a presiding officer and an assembly that can lose sight of non-essential details in enthusiasm for realities. If we had more forgetfulness of formalities in zeal for inspiring facts, it would be the better for the formalities and for us.