Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-07-24


tilted to see at various times my nc.
tives and actions misconstrucd BY
several Democratic papers, and that
some even descended to the fabrication
Of tho most absurd falsehoods concern
ing my social and political conduct, !
have had the proud and consoling sat.
isfaction that my colleagues on the
National Committee, and all those who
know me, did justice to the integrity
and purity of my intentions in all the
trying situations in which my official
position had placed me, aud let me tell
you, gentlemen, that there is not one
amongst you who bears a warmer and
truer affection to our party and our
country than have done, and ever
shall do.
You love this great Republic, "your
native land" as you do the mother
who gave you birth; but to me she is
the cherished bride and choice of my
youth-the faithful and loving com.
panion of my manhood, and now that
| enter upon the sere and yellow leaf
of life, cling to her with all the recol
lectons of the manifold blessings re-
ceived at her hands.
retire from tho position which !
have held to take my place in the rank
and file Of that great party, whose ma
tional constitutional and Conservative
principles have claimed my unwaver.
ing allegiance for the last thirty years,
aud as long as the Almighty will spare
my life, | shall never falter in my love
and devotion to our party and our
country.
have the honor TO propose to you,
as your temporary Chairman, a dis
tinguished and venerable citizen of
Virginia, grandson of the patriot and
statesman, Thomas jefferson. 1t is
an auspicious omen that scion of the
author OF the Declaration of lndepend.
ence is TO inaugurate the struggle OF
the Democracy for the freedom and
equality for every American citizen,
and against oppression ard tyranny in
our fair land.
Mr.. Bolmonts remarks were FIRE
quently interrupted by moderate ap.
plause. The mention Of Mr.. Greeley's
name was received with loud demon.
strations of approval So also were
the speakers personal references TO
himself. At the conclusion he said,
have the honor to propose the name OF
Hon. Thomas Jefferson Randolph, of
Virginia, as your temporary Chairman.
Music by the band, "Dixie"
Mr.. Belmont took his seat amid
cheers. When the music ceased Mr..
Randolph said:
SPEECH OF MR. RANDOLPH, TEMPORARY
CHAIRMAN.
/ am aware that the very great
honor conferred on me by this body is
due to no personal merit OF my own,
but is token of respect to the State
from which l came and recognition
of other circumstances possibly adven.
titious.
i am perba ps the Oldest member OF
this body, and life Of eighty years
spent in the Democratic Republican
party constitutes me senior member.
remember freshly every Presidential
contest from the first election of JEFF.
ferson to the present time, and can
say with truth that remember none
which involved higher questions OF
personal liability, local self government,
honest administration, and constitu.
tional freedom than the present, or
one which demanded Of our party and
our people calmer or more earnest
recourse TO prudential principles.
1t strikes me as the duty of this
hour and Of this body TO wrest the gov.
ernment from the hands OF its present
despotc and corrupt holders, and to
, place il in honest hands; TO restore to
the citizens everywhere the proud con.
sciousness Of personal right, and to all
the States perfect integrity of local
self government This with the re-
cognition of the supremacy OF tho civil
: Constitution and the law will in my
judgment, discharge our present duty
The foregoing remarks were deliv.
! cred with much emery and effectivness,
considering that the speaker is nearly
an octogenarian, and were repeatedly
cheered.
THE PRAYER.
} The Rev. Henry Slicer was then in.
troduced, and opened the proceedings
, with q prayer as follows:
. Almighty God, Maker of all things,
! Redeemcr, Preservcr, and Judge Of all
men, we come before Thee with hearts
: full of gratitude for the mercies which
| have been lavishcd on us in tho past
, and at present, and with hope and con
fdence in Thee for the future We
thank Thee for all the mercics shown
f to our revolutionary fathers. In the
r darkest days Of their colonial history
Thou didst guide them as with pillar
r Of cloud by day and pillar of FIRE by
, night, and didst enable them undcl
!. thy guidance to achieve success in th,
0 first war for independence, and wber
,.o.oo h.l .,,..,, uii.o,. i:l, c.,-o. A. 90.