Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-07-13
The National Democratic
G0NuENTt0N.
Meeting of the Body at Ford's Opera
House.

Meeting of the Body at Ford's Opera
SPECTACLE OF THE ASSEMBHlGE.
Three Cheers for Horace Greeley.
Intense enthusiasm IN the Conrenton; Speech
IS Of mr. Belmont Mr. Randolph and Nr.
DooliMe Permanent 0ygGnisatiOR-Ap-
pointRem Of ComRihees-Th Platform
Question Greeley Enthusiasm IN he city.
Sere4a,lss, Festivities, &c.
Reported for the Baltimore Sun.
The National Democratic Convention to
nominate candidates for President end Vice
President Of the United States assembled yes
tcrday at Fords Opera House. For two hours
before the meeting of the Convention the streets
in the vicinity Of the Opera House were
thronged with people, and crowds were still
hurrying towards the centre of attraction when
the hour Of noon arrived, at which time the
body was to be called to order In front of
the theatre there was an immense concourse of
people, requiring strong detachment Of po-
licemen to keep the sidewalks clear and open
the approaches to the building. Bands Of
music at the Eutaw House, in the immediate
neishborhood of the theatre, were playing, and
the greatest interest and enthusiasm were mani
Tested.
FIRST DAYS PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION.
At ten minutes past twelve Mr.. August Bel
mont, the chairman ofthe National Democratic
Executive Committee, advanced to the front of
the stage, raped three times with his gavol,
aud called the convention to order in the fol-
lowing speech:
SPEECH or Mr.. BELMONT.
Gentlemen Of the Conventional is again
my privilege 10 welcome tho delegates of the
national democracy, who have met in order to
presea, to the American people the candidates
for President and Nice-President for whom
they solicit the sutfrages of the democratic and
conservative voters Of this great republic.
At our last national convention on the 4th Of
July, 1868, | predicted that tho election of
Gen. Grant would result in the gradual usur-
pations of all the functions CT The government
by the Executive and by Congress, to DO en-
forced by the bayonets Of military dsspOtism.
The vast majority of the people of the Uni
ted States have witnessed with grief and sor-
row the correctness Of that prediction, and
they look forward with fear and apprehension
to the dangers which are threatening US, if by
the reelection Of Gen. Grant the policy thus
far pursued by the radical party can be con-
tinued.
The thinking men Of beth parties have be-
come alive to the fact that We are now living
under military dospOtism overriding the civil
authorities in many states in the Union that
by the enactment Of arbitrary and unconStitu-
tional laws, through a dopraved majority in
Congress, the rights Of these States are iufrin-
ged and trampled upOa, and that Cesarism and
Capitalization are undermining the very ioun-
dations of our federal system, and arc sweep
ing away the constitutional bulwGrks erected
by the wisdom Of the fathers of the republic.
These abuses have become co garing that
the wisest aud best men Of the republican
party have severed themselves from the radical
wing, which IS trying to fasten upon the coun-
try another for years reign Of corruption,
usurpation aud despotism, and whatever iHdi-
vidual opinions we may entertain as TO tho
choice of the candidate whom they selected ii
opposition to General Grant, there cannot be
any doubt Of the patriotic impulses which dc
tatcd thoir action, nor can any fault be found
with the platform of principles upon which
thoy have placed their candidate.
Tie resolutions of the Cincinnati Conven-
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must command the hearty support of every
patriot throughout the vast extent of our land.
Ia the struggle which is before Us we must
look to principles and not to men, and trust
tina. 10 personal predictions or proudces
will deter US from doing cur duty to the Amori-
can people.
General Grant has been q good and faithful
soldier. During our civil war his stubborn
and indomitablo courage helped to crown the
Union arms with victory aud the American
people have rewarded his services with the
most unbouuded generosity. | am willing to
coucodo that his intentions on taking the PrcSi-
Dental chair were good and patriotic but he
has most signally aud sadly failed in the dis
charge of the high trust imposed upon him
by the confidence OF grateful people. lie Is
at this moment the worry personilicatiou Of the
Inisrulo which is expressing us, aud his rs-elec-
ton is fraught with the most deplorablo conse-
quences for the welfare Of the republic, and
eudaugors 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 against myself
individually. which have from time to time
appeared in his journal, certainly do not entitle
him TO any sympathy or preference at my
hands but Mr.. Greeley represents the national
and constitutional principles of the Cincinnati
platform, and by his admirable aud manly lot
ter OF acceptance lie has shown that he is fully
alive 20 their spirit, and if elected he means to
carry them out honestly and faithfully. Should
you, therefore, in your wisdom decide 10 pro-
uouncs in favor Of the Cincinnati candidates,
shall. for one most choeriuly bury all past
differences and vote aud labor for their election
with the same zeal and energy with which
have supported heretofore, and mean ever to
support, the candidates Of the democratic
party.
The American people look with deep solicit
tudc TO your deliberations. 1t is for you 10
devise means by which to free them from the
evils under which they are suffering but in
order 20 attain that end you are called upon to
make every sacrifice of personal and party |
preference.
However much you might desire 10 fight the |
coming battle for our rights and liberties under |
one Of the trusted leaders Of the democratic |
party, it viii become your duty 70 discard all |
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