Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-10

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deter us from doing our duty to the American
people. Gen. Grant has been good aDC
faithful soldier. During our civil war, hi:
stubborn indomitable courage helped tc
crown the Union fields with victory, and
the American people have rewarded his
services with the most unbounded generos-
ity. l am willing to concede that bis IN
tentions on taking the Presidential chair
were good and patriotic, but he has failed
in the discharge of the high trust imposed
on him by tbe confidence of grateful peo-
pie. He is at this moment the very per-
sOnihcation of the misrule which is op-
pressing us, and his reelection is fraught
with the most deplorable consequences for
the welfare of the Republic, and endangers
the liberty of our people. On the other
hand Mr.. Greeley has been heretofore a
bitter opponent of the Democratic party,
and the violent attacks against myself in
diyidually, which have from time to time
appeared in his journal certainly do not en-
title him to any sympathy or preference
at my hands. But Mr.. Greeley represents
the national and conservative principles of
the Cincinnati platform, and by his admi-
rable and manly letter of acceptance he
is fully alive to. their spirit, and that if
elected he means to carry them out hon.
estly and faithfully. Should you, there
fore, in your wisdom decide to pronounce
in favor of the Cincinnati candidates,
shall for one most cheerfully bury all past
differences and work for their election with
the same zeal and energy with which
have supported heretofore the candidates
of the Democratic party. The American
people look with deep solicitude TO your
deliberations. 1t is for you to devise
means by which to free them from the eff
fects under which they are suffering, but
| in order to attain that end you are
called upon to make every sacrifice
of personal and party preference. However
much YOU might desire TO fight the coming
battle for our rights and liberties under one
of the trusted leaders of the Democratic
party. it will become your duty to discard
| all considerations of party tradition, if the
selection of good and wise man outside of
our rank offers better chances of success.
You must remember that you are here not
only as Democrats, but as citizens of our
common country, and that no sacrifice can
be too great which she demands at your
hands. Now before l propose to your ac-
eeptance temporary chairman for this
convention, permit me to detain you one
moment longer by few words Of an
| Entirely Personal
character. With my present action, termi-
nate my official functions as Chairman of
| the National Democratic Committee, an
office which by the confidence of my
constituents and the courtesy of
my colleagues have held for twelve con-
secutive years. During all that time have
striven with honest zeal and with all the
energy and capacity which God has given
me, to do myIiuty faithfully to the party
and the country, to render myself worthy
of the great trust coufded to me. While l
was grieved and deeply mortified to see at
various times my motives and actions mis-
construed by several Democratic papers,
that some even descended to the fabrica-
ton of the most absurd falsehoods concern
ing my social and political conduct, have
had the proud consOling satstactloDE that
my colleagues on the National Committee,
those who know me, testify to the inte gritty
aud purity of my intentions in all the try
ing situations in which my official position
had placed me. And let me tell you, gentle
men, that there is not one amongst you Who
breathes a warmer, purer affection for our
party and our country than L have done
and ever shall do. You love this great re-
public, YOUR native land, as you do the
mother who gave you birth; but to me she
is the chosen bride and choice of my youth,
the faithful and loving companion of my
manhood; and now that | enter upon the
scar aud yellow leaf of life, l cliUg to her
with all the fond recollectiOns of the mani
fold blessings received at her hands. re-
tire from the position l have held to take
nv place in the rank and file of that great
party whose national, constitutional and
conservative principles have claimed my
uuwaverin allegiance for the last thirty
wears, and as long as the Almighty will
spare my life, l shall never falter in my love
and devotion to our party and ou1
country. l have the honor TO pro-
pose TO you, as your temporary
chairman, the distinguished and venerable
|, citizen of Virginia, grandson Of the patriot
statesman Thomas Jefferson. 1t is an au-
spicious omen that the son of the author oi
the Declaration of Independence is to in
augurate the struggle of the Democracy fol
freedom and equality for every American
citizen and against oppression and tyranny
in our fair land.
Mr., Belmont's remarks were e4uentlN
interrupted by moderate applause. Thu
mention of Greeley's name was received
with
Loud Demonstrations
of approval; so also were the speakers per
sonal references to himself The banC
PLAYED Dixie. Randolph's name was re
ceived with cheers.
Speech of Jefferson Randolph.
The temporary chairman Mr.. Randolph
! on taking his seat, said:
| am aware that the very great homo
conferred on me by this body is due to nj
personal merit of my own, but is token o
respect to the State from which come AM
a recognition of other circumstances posi-
blv adventitious. l am, perhaps, the Oldes
| member of this body, and life Of eight.
wears spent in the Democratic-Repub
] party constitutes me a senior member.
2 remember freshly every Presidential con
} test from the first election OF Jefferson t
the present time, and can say with trutl
l that | remember none which involved high
er questions of personal liberty, local sell
1 Government, honest administration and con
e stitutional freedom than the present, or on
9 which demanded of our people and cailet
for a more earnest resort to prudentla
: principles. 1t strikes me as the duty OF thl
. hour, and of this body, to wrest the gov
S erpnient from the hands of its present des
potic and corrupt holders, and place 1t Il
honest hands; to restore TO Cltizens every
. where the proud consciousness Of persona
!. RIGHT, and to all the Sthtes perfect integri
ty OF local self government. This, with tn
recognition Of the supremacy of the civ
: and constitution law, will, in my Judgmen
= | discharge all our present duty.
+ Mr.. Randolph's remarks were delivere
=. with much er argy and effectiveness, con
: sidering that the speaker is nearly an octa
f genarian, and were repeatedly cheered;
. Rev. Henry Slicer being present address
). ed the throne of Grace.
n Mr.. Frederick Q. Prince of Mass, wa
4 chosen temporary Secretary.
: Mr.. Madigan Of Maine, moved Mr.. Z. Y
: Perrin of New York, be appointed tempol
A arv reading Secretary. Agreed.
: Mr.. McHenry of Kentucky, offered X
y solution Of thanks to Mr.. Belmont on hi
!. retiring of the ehaiTplanship of the Nations
s Committee.
4 The chairman ruled all resolutions OF
: of order until organization was perfecte'
n Organizing.
q Mr.. LambertGn Of Pennsylvania, move
: 4 resolution that each State be called
e alphabetical order so that the chalrma
a NAV name the members of the several con
L ,,ittooc apd NAV also in case of contest