Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-07-09
TBY ASSOCIATED PRESSl

B Y ASSOCIATED PRESS.1
BALTIMORE, July 9.-The Convention assem-
bled at Ford's Opera House, which is hand
somely decorated for the occasion with banners.
several states. The building, though too small
for such an assemblage, is admirably ventilated
and more comfortable than could be expected
In In, THIS is oppressive weather: The chaiFman's
from piece of the old frigate Constitution, and
which has done service at several democratic
national conventions. Among the distinguished
visitors on the platform are Hon. Reverdy John
son, whose entrance was greeted with applause.
AT 10 minutes past II O'Clock the conventio was
~ ... ,,, CALLED TO ORDER
democratic committee.
MR.. BELMONT SAID:
Gentlemen Of the Convention 1T Is again my
privilege to welcome the delegates of the
national democracy who have met in order to
present to the American people the candidates
for President and Vice President, for whom
they solicit the SURFACES of the democratic and
conserva alive votes of this great republic. At
our last national convention on the 4th of July
1865, predicted that the election OF General
Grant would result in the gradual usurpation
of all the functions of the government by the
executive and by Congress to be enforced by
bayonets of q military despotism. The vast
majority OF the people OF the United States have
ness OF that prediction, and they look forward
with fear and apprehension to the dangers
which are threatening us, if by the reelection of
radical party be continued. The thinking men
OF both parties have become alive to the fact
that We are now living under military depotism
overriding the civic authority in many states of
the Union, that by the enactment of arbitrary
and unconstitutional laws, through depraved
majority in Congress the rights OF these states are
lnfringed and trampled upon, and that Caser-
ism and centraliz .tiOn are undermining the
very foundations OF our federal system, and are
sweeping away the constitutional bulwarks
erected by the wisdom of the fathers OF the
a haPn OLE rir
that the wisest and best men OF the republican
party have severed themselves from the radical
wing which Is trying to fasten upon the country
another four years reign of corruption, usurpa-
ton and despotism; and whatever individual
opinions we may entertain as to the choice of
the candidate whom they have selected in oppo-
Stlon to General Grant there cannot be any
doubt of the patriotic impulses which dictated
their action, nor can any fault be found with
the platform Of principles upon which they have
placed their candidates. The resolutions of the
Cincinnati convention are what the country
require, and they must command the hearty
support OF every patriot throughout the vast
extent of our land. In the struggle which is
before US we must look to principles and not to
men, and L trust that no personal predictions
or prejudice will deter Us from doing our duty to
the American people. General Grant has
been a good and faithful soldier during our
civil war. His stubborn and indomitable courage
has helped to crown the Union arms with vic
tory, and the American people have rewarded
his services with the most unbounded generosity,
/ am willing to concede that his intentions on
taking the Presidential chair were good and
patriotic, but he has most signally and sadly
failed in the discharge of the high trust imposed
upon him by the confidence of grateful people
He is this moment the very personifcation of
misrule which is expressing US, and his re-elec-
ton is fraught with most deplOrable conse-
Quences for the welfare of the republic and en-
dangers the liberties OF our people. On the
other hand, Mr.. Greeley has been heretofore a
bitter opponent of the democratic party, and
the violent attacks upon myself individually
We "a frnm q i'm his
journal certainly do not entitle him TO any SYM
patty or preference at my hands; but Mr.. Gree
ley represents the national and constitutional
principles of the Cincinnati platform, and by
his admirable and manly letter Of acceptance he
hasshown that be is fully alive to their spirit,
and that if elected he means to carry them out
honestly and faithfully. Should you, therefore,
in your wisdom decide to pronounce in
favsr Of the Cincinnati candidates. / shall,
for one, most cheerfully bury all past differences,
vote and labor for their election with the same
zeal and energy with which have supported
heretofore, and mean ever to support, the can
didates of the democratic party. The American
ations. It is for you TO devise means BY which
to free them from the evils under which they
are suffering; but In order to do that you are
called upon to make every sacrifice Of party
preference. However much you might desire to
light the coming battle for our rights and liber-
ties under one Of the trusted leaders Of the
democratic party, It VIII become your duty to
discard all considerations Of party tradition: If
the selection Of Q good and wise man outside of
our own ranks offsrs better chances OF success,
you must remember that you are here not only
Is democrats but - citizens OF our common
country, and that no sacrifice can be too great
which he demands at your hands. And now,
before propose to your acceptance the tenn
porary chairman Of this convention, permit
me to detsin you one minute longer by q
few words OF IN entirely personal char
acter. With my present action terminates
my Official functions ~ chairman OF the
national democratic committee, an ONCE
which, by the confidence Of my constituents and
the courtesy Of my colleagues, have held for
twelve consecutive years. During al that time
1 have striven with heart-Zeal, and with all the
energy and capacity which God hes given me,
to do my duty faithfully to the party and to the
country, and to render myself worthy Of the
great trust conflded 10 me- While was grieved
and deeply mortified to see at various times my
motives and actions misconstrued by several
democratic papers, and that come even descend
ed to the fabrication Of the most absurd false
hoods concerning my social and political con-
duct, 1 have had the proud and consoling salts
faction that my colleagues and all those who
know me, did justice to the Integrity and purity
Of my intentions in all the trying situations in