Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-27
Henry WattersOn, Editor Of the
COur r-JOurnal, Tempo
rary Chairman-His
speech.
The TwO-Thirds Rule ReCog-
nized for the Present.

luc Weather Is very warm ouu ouitisi W
tokening thunder storms. The delegates
we're promptly in their places, but 1t was
1920 before the convention was called
to order by Hon. Augustus Schell, chair
man Of the National Democratic Com
mittee; meantime a military band, perch
ed in rear of the chairmsn's desk, kept
the assembly interested by rendering
various lively airs.
Mr.. Schell, in calling to order, submit
ted brief remarks upon the purposes Of
this convention to nominate candidates,
whose election shall change the govern
ment and overthrow corruption. Adj
ministrative reform is demanded by the
American people. [Applause,l The
corruption now existing in the govern
ment must be purified and eliminated.
This duty must be confded to hands not
Of those who now hold the government,
but to the Democratic party. The thing
to be reformed cannot be reformed BY
itself. The people are intelligent and sa.
gacious; they understand their rights and
will not again confde their interests to
the Republican party. He referred to
the Democratic as the hard money party
from the beginning; said it was a trick
to try to saddle upon it the existing
policy, Inconsistent with the hard money
principle. All the acts authorizing paper
money as illegal tender and the opinion
of the Supreme Court sustaining its
constitutionality we're done during a
Republican administration. He referred
briefly to the civil results. The remedy
is not by rapid contraction or increased
currency, but the one remedy at this
time is the repeal Of the resumption act.
Applause. Do that and give the Dem
ocratic party the reins Of government,
and their policy of economy and
sound finance will bring specie
resumption speedily and safely.
Applause In this centennial of ma
tiosal independence we have met to
adopt the means to restore the country
to its ancient prosperity. May We not
hone. after sixteen years of Republican
rule, the Democratic party may resume
its rightful supremacy in the govern
ment2 The rules that will govern the
Convention will insure good nomina.
tons, and he exhorted to wisdom in
making the platform.
At conclusion he nominated Henry
Watterson, of Kentucky, temporary
chairman amidst applause, which was
unanimously agreed to.
Hon. Messrs. Barnum, Of Connecticut
and Ransom, Of North Carolina, were
appointed a committee for the purpose
Of conducting Mr.. Watterson to the chair.
Mr.. Wstterson being presented was re
ceived with applause and said:
Gentlemen Of the Convention: w
are called together to determine by oul
wisdom whether honest government, ad
ministered by honest men, shall be re
stored to the American people, or to de
eide by our folly that it is the destiny o
this country to pursue an endless, eve
revolving circle Of partisan passion anC
corruption until with the loss Of our ma
terial well being we lose the poor man
last, best hope, civil liberty itself.
Every citizen Of the republic, be b
Of one party or the other, feels and ha
felt for many a day the depressing inau
ence Of what are called hard times. w
look about us and we see ~neglecteI
fields and vacant houses; the factory i
closed, the furnace door is shut; Their
are myriads Of idle hands. The happ.
activity Of prosperous life is nowhere ia b
found. Loyalists %fatten, whilst homes
men starve. Empty the mart and shiples
the bay" What is it that has wrough
10 great a change in a land that unde
the rule Of an intelligent, progressive
constitutional party advanced within
|, half q century from the condition Of
huddle of petty and squalid provinces
soVereignties to a foremost place anon
the nations Of the earth2 The reason {
men must answer-partisan misrule an
sectional instruction. The Republ
cans, my friends, are not alone respons
9 BILE. With them rest the disgracel
with us the lollies. These twin sgen.
; Of national mischsnee, working undo
' the miserable rule OF contraries, hay
. kept the people of the North and Sout
S assunder, and have disturbed value
: They have unsettled prices; they ha'
made our whole financial system a chez
, and a snare; they have driven the be
elements OF political society in exil
r and have organized charlatanism into
r sort Of public policy, enabling the rogI
e to get a cheap advantage Of his dupe, al
A sacrificing every popular interest to d
: lust Of that oligarehy which has beeou
' so encrusted with power as to belle
3 itself entitled to rule by the sheer for
Of its own wrong. So much let us 8
IS down TO the convenient pretext Of W
2 and so much to the long account of dal
70 ages between the North and the Sout
II 1t is for you to say whether the saI
conflict, with consequences multipli
lie and magnifed, shall by any act OF you
is be %inaugurated between the East and I
d West. | shall not undertake on On {
casion Of this kind, and in a presen
so imposing, 10 enforce the familiar j
son Of mutual forbesrance. NoboI
doubts our capacity TO make bait
It. among ourselves.
ke Eatresting you TO direct your energi
lv TO the common enemy, ! ask iudulgen
:. only on my own behalf. You have call
me TO a place not merely Of distinct
tn but Of dificulty-to a place which
,e- quires the best training Of a better m
of than / am. In taking il ! trust TO yc
- confidence and good nature, aud to
~ heart incapable OF an unmanly or uni
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