The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-15

of rash and infatuated rulers: when the
civil authority was exposed to fresh
encroachments from the military; when
hate was rung as the watchword, and
the bloody shirt" was floated as the
banner of sectional and aggressive
party; when trade restrictions embar-
raised commerce and impoverished the
revenues; when hard money, the i'm
memorial almoner of the world, was dis
honored and virtually banished from cir
culation by vicious legislation when waste
and extravaganza had long been a ruling
vice of legislation; when peculation and
corruption were tanning and sapping the
very foundations of government and
society; when ponderous public debt was
grinding the broken energies Of the people
when insatiate taxation was devouring the
scanty substance and thereby imperiling
the public credit and faith; when gaunt
famine, as the consequence of involuntary
idleness, was DIGGING the heels of the
laboring classes; when in fact the whole
country was writbing and groanlng in ex-
tremity-yes il was under these solemn
circumstances the convention met, pro-
toundly impressed with its responsibility.
Animated with one feeling it had but one
v.
to bring the government back to its con
stitutional moorings, to restore the states
10 their proper federal relations. and the
people of the states to their Old-time
brotherhood, to raise up industry and
labor from cherries prostration. and to
renew their wonted hopes and deserved
reward; to retrench public expenditures,
reduce taxation, improve the currency,
punish and prevent official in6delity, re-
form abuses, and to build up again
the ancient glory of the Union
the Union, one, inseparable,
and perpetual. Preliminary to
these important ends, the convention in
its wisdom adopted declaration of prin-
ciples and policy as the touchstone Of its
political faith-a declaration as clear and
unmistakable in sense as it is eloquent and
graceful in language. Then it proceeded
to choose tried, true and enlightened
statesmen to iucarnate its argument and to
champion it in the field of political contest
against all opposers and dangers. Finally
it proceeded, according to usage, to APP
point a committee to wait upon the persons
so chosen, and to notify them Of the fact
of their choice.
10 conclusion, that committee is here in
person to perform this grateful service;
and, under its instruction,it is my pleasant
duty, as its chairman, to present you, as
its act, the following &C communication, which
explains itself:
THE COMMITTEES LETTER.
Secretary Harris, of the committee,
then read the following letter, TO which
were attached the signatures of the COM
mittee
NEW YORK CITY, July Il, 1876,
Gov. Samuel J. Tlldcn:
SIR: The undersigned, committee of
the National Democratic convention which
met at st. Louis, Mo-, on the 9th ult,
composed of its president and of one del
egate from each state of the Federal
Union, have been intrusted with the pleas
ant duty OF informing you of your nomina-
ton by that body as the candidate of the
Democratic party for the presidency of the
United States atthe ensuing election. 1t is
IA source OF great satisfaction to s,who but
reflect the opinions of the members of the
late Democratic convention, that gentle
man entertaining and boldly advocating as
/ you do, and have done, those great
measures of national aud state reform
which are an absolute necessity for the
restoration Of the national honor, prosper
3 ity, and credit should have been selected
as our standard bearer, in the approach
, inc contest. Your name is identified with
the absorbing questions of reform, reduc
3 ton o. taxes, and the maintenance Of The
rights OF the laborlng masses. The De
i mocracy, In designating you as thei
3 chosen leader, do not feel that they ar,
: relying merely upon your pledges or prom
i Uses Of what you will do in the event o
3 your election. Your record of the past i
. our guarantee of your future course
= Having been faithful over few things
I we will make yOu ruler over many thing
Accompanying this letter Of notification
c we also present you with the declaration
of principles adopted by the convention
We have no doubt that you will recogniz
in this declaration measures of politics
policy which Immediately concern til
happiness aud welfare of the entire peopl
OF this country and We feel that you
election tn the presidency will be guarar
!, tee Of their success; and it will be, as muc
!" your pleasure to enforce and maintai
Them 1t elected as it was ours to Civ
taem the mp OF national representatiy
|. appreciation and approval in their adOl
, ton.
l. Entertaining the hope that you wi
y signify to US your acceptance of the non
lie ination which we have rendered you, d"
h that you concur with the convention j
;, their declaration of principles, we are, de;
3D." Sir, your very obedient servants.
IS The Hon. b. W. Hanna, member of tn
d committee from Indiana. Immediately 70
:. owed the reading of the address with br
s. remarks.
II REPLY OF GOV. TILDEN
a GOV Tildeh replied, in an earnest, il
=, pressive tone, that could be distinct
J, heard in all parts of the spacious parlor
II in the following words:
e GEN. MCCLERNAND AND GENTLEME
W OF THE COMMITTEE: shall at my cal
lest convenience prepare and transmit
you a formal acceptance of the nominate
d which you now tender to me in behalf
d the Democratic National Convention, an
N do not desire on this occasion to antic
pate any topic which might be appropria
ID Continued on third Dage.)