Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-07-18
VIRGINIA, THURSDAY JULY Is, 1874.
snd endangers the liberties of our peo-

been hereto fore bitter opponent Of the
democratic perty, and the violent attacks
against myself Individually, which have
from time TO time appeared in his journal
certainly do not entitle him to any gym
pathy or preference asiny hands, but Sir.
Greeley represents the national and con-
stitusiousI principles Of the Cincinnati
platform, sud BY his admirable and man
ly letter Of acceptance he has shown that
he IS fully alive to their spirit. and that
il elected he means to carry them out
honestly and faithfully. Should you
therefore, in your wisdom decide to pro
nounce in favor of tho Cincinnati oandi-
dates, I shall for one most cheerfully bu--
~ all past differences and vote and labor
for their election with the same zeal and
energy With which I have supported
heretofore, and mean ever to support. the
candidate OF the democratic party.
The American people look with deep
solici.ude to your deliberations. It is
for you to devise means by which to free
them from Tho evils under which they
are suffering but in order to attain that
end you are called upon TO make every
sacrifice of personal and patty preference.
However much you might desire to
6ght the coming battle for cur rights and
liberties under one of the srusted leaders
OF the democratic party It will become
your duty 10 discard all considerations OF
party tradition if the selection Of a good
and wise man outside of our ranks offers
better chance OF SUCCESS
You mug. not remember that you arc
here not only IS democrats but as cisi-
! sens Of our common country, and that
! no sacrifice can De too great which she
demands at your hands.
And nov, before I propose to your &C.
cepisnco the temporary chairman Q:
this convention. permit me to detajn you
one momest longer By few words Of an
entirely personal character. With my
present action serminstc my official funo-
sions as chairman Of the National Demo
cratic Committee, an office which by The
confidence Of my constituents aud the
courtesy Of my colleagues I have hold
for twelve consecutive years.
During al that time 7 have striven
W It'll honest zeal and with all the energy
and capacity which God has given me, to
do duty faithfully to.the partysssnd to the
county, and to render myself worthy Of
The great trust c9nfded to me.
While I was gricved and deeply mor-
tilted to see at various simes my motive
and actions misconstruod by several der'-
ocratic papers, and that some even de-
scended to the fabrication Of tho most
absurd fglsehoods ocnoernin my social
and political conduct, I have had tho
proud and oonsoling satisfaction that ny
colleagues On the national committee and
al those who know ma, did justice 10
the integrity and purity o. ny inteations
in ell the trying situations in which sny
official position had placsd nc; and lie!
ne tell you gea:lelaon, that there is not
one amongst you who bears warmer. af-
fiction for or,r f,alt7 ard our country
than hsys done. and ever shall ~,
You love this great republic, YOUR na-
tive land. as you 10 the mother who gave
you birth, but to ne she is she cherished
bride and choice Of ny youth, the Saith
fu) and loving companion Of ny man
hood, and now that enter upon the saee
and yellow leaf Of life, I cling to her
W It'll eli the fond reaollao.;ona OF tho
manifold blessings received ct her hands,
/ retire from the position which [ ba.e
held 10 take my place in the rank and
Gle OF that great party whose national
constitutional and conservative
principles have claimed my answering
allegiance for the last thirty years, and
as long as the Almighty will spare my
liseJ shall never faI!et in my love and
devotion to our party ard country.
| have the honor tn propose to you as
your temporary chairman a d'stipgnish-
ed and venerable citizen of Virginia,s
grandsonsoF the patrtpt and statesman,
Thomas Jefferson. Il is an suspicious
omen that seou of the Declare ton of
In dependence is to iAaugurate the strug-
gle of the democr for freedom and
equality Of every American CITIZEN. and
against oppression and tyrsruy in our
fair land.
RNTHGsIA sTIC APPLAUSE.
Mr.. Belmont's remarks were received
with m ch applause, particularly the al
lusion losk ing to s union with the liberal
ofthe country, and his com
mendation of the Cine innati platform
was applauded. when be mentioned the
name of Mr.. Greeley the " ldest enthu-
siasm prevailed. Cheer aftor cheer rent
the air, and the whole vast crowd, del.
egates and all rose, and continued in the
widest demonstrations for some MINUTES.
Such a scene has perhaps never before
been witnessed. The Hon. John Fox, of
New York, after awhile proposed three
cheers for Horace Greeley. and sgain
man and man arose, fans were shaken,
hands thrown up, and brazen shoats
again sent forth those stent0riGn cheers
which make the blood tinsle and the
whole frame qulver with emotion. Vic
tory was in the air. Those who we're
present felt it, and the whole scene vas
one Of that moving and impressive char
acter which is rarely seen in lifetime.
MIR. Belmont's illusions to Ills proqpec-
tive retirement from the national commit
tee excited sympathetic responses, and he
was loudly cheered when he said he in
tended to fight in the ranks Of Horace
Greeley. ~
Mr.. Belmont in concluding. Proposed
the Hon. Jefferson Randolph ,of Virginia,
for temporary chairman of the oonven-
ton. -,f...
The band Immediately struck up
Dixie, the convention uasnimoasly re-
spending to to the suggestion, and cheer
after sheer again vent up.
Mr.. Randolph, OH taking sho chair,