New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-07-11
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The two significant speeches made at the
Baltimoss DenaocraticE Convention were made
by ]. r. Doolittle and August Belmont
the former first a Democrat then Republi-
can; then a Johnsonite, then a Democrat,
and now q Liberal-RepublIcaa Democrat.
At ten minutes past twelve. Mr.. August
Belmont, the Chairman of the National
Democratic Committee, advanced 10 the front
Of the. stage, raped three times with his
gavel, and called the Convention to order in
the following speech: - = So ~
G6ntleaca. Of the Conrcntioa: -
Ii 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 suffrapes
of the Democratic and Conservative voters
Of this great Republic. . -. ~
At our last National Convention. on the
4th OF July, 1868, ! predicted that the cleo
ton OF General Grant would result in the
gradual usurpations of all the functions of
the Government by the Executive and by
congress, to be enforced by the bayonets Of
q military despotism. '..--,., -, ID. & b,
United States have Witnessed with grief and
sorrow the correctness Of that prediction. and
they look forward with fear and apprehen-
SION to the dangers which are threatening US
II by the reelection Of General Grant the
poiicy thus far pursued by the Radical party
can be continued.
The thinking men of both parties have be-
come alive TO the fact that we are now living
under military despotism, overriding the
SiVil authorities in many States of the Union !;
that By the enactment of arbitrary and UNI
constitutional laws, through, depraved ma
.lority in Congress, the rights of these States
.are infringcd and trampled upon, and that
Casarism and Capitalization are undermining
the very foundation of our Federal system,
and. are sweeping away the constitutional
'bulwarks erected by the wisdom Of the Faith
-ers Of the Republi.. 4i .a'..'r...'.'.. -. IL
These abuses have beconfe SO giarine that
the wiscst and best men Of the Republican
party have severed themselves from the Rad
lcal wing, which is trying to fasten upon the
country another four years. reign of corrup-
ton. usuipation, and despotisni, aud what
ever individual opinions we NAV entertain as
To the choice. Of the. candidate whom they
have selected in opposition 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 princi-
pies upon which they.have placed their cam
MdHte. - .''ai .a.f"". - S. '..,,..'l. 4
The resolutions OF the Cincinnati Conven-
ton are what the country require, and they
must command the hearty support 6f every
patriot throughout the vast extent of our
land. '.''' - - ~
In the struggle which is before us we must
lock to principles and not men, and trust
that no personal predictions or prejudices
will deter us from doing our duty to the
American people. ..:...rl.!
- General Grant has been good and faith
ful soitlief during cur civil war, his stubborn
and indomitable courage has helped to crown
the Union arms with victory, and the Ameri-
can people have rewarded his services with
the most unbolnded generosity. / ain viii
ing to concede that his Intentions on taking
the Presidential chair were good and patri-
Otto, 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 at this nioment the veft per-
soniication of the irnisrtie which is oppress-
ing us, and his reelection is fraught with the
most deplorable consequences for the welfare
OF the Republic, and endangers the liberties.
Of our people. --."'--e. e.e.srae
On the other hand Mr.. Greeley has. been
heretofore a. bitter opponent of the Demo-
cratic party, and the violent attacks against
myself, individually, which have from time to
tim eappeared in his journal, certainly do not
entitle him to. any sympathy or preference at
my hands, but MIR. Greeley represents the
national and constitutional principles of the
Cincinnati platform, and by his admirable and
manly letter of acceptance he has shown
that he is fully alive to their spirit, and that
if elected he means to carry them ont hon
estIy and faithfully, Should you, therefore,
in To
Of tie Gneinnat il CANDIDATES sIfllL far 11e,
most cheerfully bury all past differences, and
vote and labor for their election with the
same zeal and energy with which / have sup
ported heretofore, and mean ever TO support,
the candidate Of the Democratic party,
The American people look with deep So
licitude to your deliberations. 1t is for you
to devise means by which to free them from
the evils under which they are suffering, but
in order 10 i4ttaii' that end yon~ are called
upon to make every sacrifice of personal and
party preference. - b. Mta.5.u 40
However much you might desire to fight
the coming battle for our rights and liberties
under one Of the trusted leaders of the Dem
0eeadeJ pafty1 It Kill hecorne. sy6hr, duty to
discard all considerations of party tradition
if the selection Of good and wise man out
side Of our Own ranks offers better chances
OF Success 3.io ~; ..-,,.....4. a.. (. ..,ssse
You must remember that you are here not
only az Democrats, but .as. citizens OF. our
common country, and that no sacrifice can be-
too great which she demands at your hands.
~ And now, before propose to your accept-
snce the temporary chairman of this Con-
yention, permit me to detain you one mo-
ment longer by few words of an entirely
personal character. With my present action
Terminates my official functions as chairman
Of the National Democratic Committee, an
Office which by the confidence Of my con-
stitpents and the courtesy of my colleagues
have held for twelve consecutive years.
During all that time 1 have striven with
honest zeal and with all the energy and
capacity which God has given me to-day to
do my duty faithfully to the party and to the
country, and to render myself worthy OF the
great trust eonfideti to nie .%'ss @'-H
While IswaA grieyed and deeply mortified
to see at various times my motives and ac-
tons misconstr1ied BY several Democratic
uapers. and that some even descended TO the
fabrication of the most absurd falsehoOds con-
corning my social and political conduct. l
have had the proud and consoling satisfac-
tlon that my colleagues on the National Com
mittee 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 and let me tell you,
E.-x1.,,.n,, sbaf there is NOT Onp amonp Won