Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-07-18
THE
IhTI lIhL DEIgClAlIg GlHVBz'lI)Ij
M Esr1Na OF TIE BODY AT FoPD's OPERs
HoCsB.
TErem the Baltimore Sun.

TErem the Baltimore Sun. ,
The National Democratic Convention
to nominate candidates for President aud
Vice President Of the United Sta tess as
sem blod atisFord'a Opera House. For
two hours before the meeting OF tho con-
ven ton tho streets in the vicinity Of the
Opera House we're thronged with.people
and crowds were etil hurrying towards
the centre Of attraction when the hour Of
noon arrived ct VII lch time the body was
to be.-oelled to order. In front Of the
theatre there was an immense concourae
Of people, requiring strong detachment
Of DO ioenen to keep the sidewalks clear
| aud open the approaches to the building
Bands of music at the Eutaw House, in
| the immediate peighborhood Of the thea
tire, were playing, and the creates. in
tereat and enshusiasm were manifested.
AT ten minutes past twelve Mr.. An
gust Belmont, the Chairman Of the Ma
sional Democratic Executive Committee,
advanced to the fron: of thu stago, rapp-
ed three times with his gayel, and Gale
| tho convention to order in the following
speech: q.
epEGCu BY Mr.. BELMONT.
Gentlsmen OF the Gonvep tion-I5 is
again my privilege to welcome the dole.
gates OF the national democracy, who
have met in order to present 10 the
American people the cand idates for Pres
ilert and Vice President for Whom they
solicit the sutfrages Of the democratic and
conservative voters Of this great repub-
lie.
At our last national convention on the
4th ofJoly, 1868, I predicted that the
electiou Of Gen. Grant would result in the
gradual usuIpations Of all the functions
Of the government by the Executive and
by Congress, to be enforced by the bayo-
nets OF military despotism.
The vast majority Of the people Of the
United States have Witnessed with grief
and sorrow the correctness of that pre-
diction, and they look forward with fear
aud apprehension to the dangers which
are threatening US, if by the reelection
of Gen. Gran. the policy thus far pursued
by the radical party can be continued.
The thinking of men of both parties
have become alive to the fact that we are
now living under military despo.ism
overriding the civil authorities in many
States Of the Union ; that by the enact
ment Of arbitrary and uneonstitu sional
laws, through dopraved majority in
Congress. the rights Of tn csc statea are
infriAged and trampled upon, and that
C@serism and Capitalization are under.
mining the very founda tons of our fed
eral system, and are sweeping away the
constitutional bulwarks erected by the
isdom Of the fathers Of the republic.
Their abuses have become so glazing
that the wisest and best men Of the repub- i,
lican party have severed themselves from
the radical wing, which is trying to sas-
ten upon the country another four year's
reign Of corrup tion, usurpation and les
potism, and whatever individual opinions
we may entertain as TO the choice Of the
candidate whom they sele cited in opposi-
zion to General Grant, there cannot be
any doubt Of the patriotic impulses which
dictated their action, nor can any fault
be found " it'll the platform Of principles
upon which they have placed their candi-
date.
The resolution of the Cincinnati Gen.
vention are what the country require,
and they must commsnd the hearty sup
port Of every patriot throughout the vast
extent of our land.
In the struggle before US we must look
10 principles and not to men, and | trust
that no personal predictions Or prejudices
will deter us from doing our duty to the
American people. 4h.of
General Grant has been good and
faith ful soldier. During the civil war
bis stubborn and indomitsble coarsge
helped to crown tho Union arms with VIC
tory, and the American people haze re-
wardcd his services with the most IN
bounded generosity ! am willing to
concede that bis intensions on taking the
Presidential chair were good and patriot
ic, but he has most signally and sadly
failed in the discharge of the high trust
imposed upon tie confidence Of grateful
people. lie is at this moment the very
person 6cation ofthe misrule which
expressing Us, and his reelection i
fraught with the most deplorable conscis
qaences for the welfare Of the republic