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Cleveland Notified

Cleveland Notified image
Parent Issue
Day
6
Month
July
Year
1888
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

J ne nauonai actnocraiic committoc and the notificatioD committce appointed by the late democratie eonventiou to notlfy Cleveland and Thurman of their nomination for President and Vicc-Prcsident met in Washington June 20. Aftcr some preliminary business, the committee marched to the White House. The President was notifled of their arrival and received thetn in the east room. As soon as the party had taken their places, Gen. Collins stepped fonvard and in a few remarks made known the object of their visit and introduced the Hon. Chas. D. Jacob of Kentucky, who read and presen tod to the President the formal letter of notiücation signed by the national committee. The president in reply sald: "I cannot but be profoundly impressed when I see about me the messengers of the national democracy, bearing its summons to duty. The political party to which I owe allegiance both honors and commands me. It places in my hand its proud standard, and bids me bear It high at the front in a battle ; which it wages, bravely bccause conscious I of right, confidently because its trust is in the people, and soberly becauso it comprehends the obligationa which success implies. "The message which you bring awakens within me th liveliest sense of personal gratitude and satisfaction, and the honor which you tender me is in itself so great that there might well be no room for any other sentiment. And yet I cannot rid myself of grave and serious thoughts when I remember that party supremacy is not alone involved in the conflict which presses upon us, but that we struggle to secuae and save the cherished institutions, the welfare and the happiness of a nation of free men, Familiarity with the great oftice which I hold has but added to my apprehension of its sacred character and the consecration demandcd of him who assumes its immense responsibilities. It is the repository of the people's will and power. Within its visión should be the protection and welfare of the humblest citizen, and with quick ear it should catch from the remotest corner of i the land the plea of the people for Justice and for right. For the sake of the people he who holds this office of theirs should resist every encroachment upon ite legitimate functions, and for the gake of the integnty and usefullness of the otBce It should bo kept near to the peoplo and administered ín full sympathy witn their wants and needs. "This occasion reminiU me most vividly of the soone when, four years ago, I received a message from my party similar to that which you now deliver. With all that has passed since that day, I can most truly say that the feeling of awe with which I heard uiu summons Lnen is uucnsineu many 101(1 when it is repeated now. Four years ago I knew that our chief exeoutive office, if not carefully guarded, might drift little by little away f rom the people, to whom it belonged, and beoome a perversión of all it oiiff h t to be ; but I did not know how much its inoorings had already been loosened. I knew four years ago how well devlsed were the principies of true democracy ior the successful operation of a government by the people and for the people ; but I did not know how absolutely necessary their application then was for the restoration to the people of their safety and prosperity. I knew then that abuses and extravagances had crept into the management of public affairs; but I did not know thoir numerous forms, nor the tenacity of their grasp. I knew then something of the bitterness of part san obstruction; but I did not know how bitter, how restless and how shameless it could be. I know, too, that the American people were patriotic and Just ; but I did not know how grandly they loved their country, nor how noble and generous they were. "I shall not dweil upon the acts and the policy of the administration now drawing to its close. lts record is open H every citizen of the land. And yet ï will not be denied the privilege of asserting at this time that in the exercise of the functlons of the high trust conflded to me, I have yielded obedience only to the Constitution and the solemn obligation of my oath of office. I have done those thinpts which, in the light of the understanding God has given me, seemed most conducive to the welfare of my countrymen and the promotion Of good government. I would not, if I could, for myself nor for you, avoid a single consequence of a fair interpretaron of my course. '■It but remains for me to say to you, and through you to the democracy of the nation, that I accept the nominatiqn with. which they have honored me and that I wiU in due time signify suoh acceptance in the usual formal manner." The Presid3nt's remarks were made in an earnest and emphatic manner, and were f requently interrupted by applause. This closed the making, and all present proceeded to the state dining-room and partook of licht refreshments.

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Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Democrat