The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-06-01
SPEECH OF HON. GEO. 4. PEN
DLETQN.

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DLEToN.
On accepting the Craftsmanship of
the Ohio Democratic State Conven-
ton, Mr.. PENDLEroN delivered the
following:
1 thank you for this honor. A
council of the delegates ofa great
party, which nun bers in our State
nearly two millions of adherents,
which has its members in every
household and at every freside, which
polls three hundred thousand votes,
met to discuss political slnesfions
and determine party action, lis always
imposing. But if they are picked
representative men; chosen, so far
as Ohio has voice, to select the field
of battle, to array the forces, to i'm
scribe the banners, to designate the
leaders in the mighty struggle for
the possession of the powers of the
Federal Government, it becomes by
reaso Of its members, its constitu-
ency, and its duties, an august as
sembly. Gentlemen, this duty has
been intrusted to you to day.
The Democratic party of Ohio is
indeed a heroic party. Almost from
it's origin it has fought an unequal
, contest. Perpetual struggle has been
the condition of its existence; per-
haps, also, of its integrity. It sprung
from the people; it was organized
by the people; it is of the people; il
has fought for the people. To full
fill all its Federal obligations, to per-
form all its Federal duties, TO main
tain the integrity of all powers which
are granted, and to insist that all
powers which are not granted are re-
served-this was its covenant, and it
has kept its faith.
Beyond this narrow, essentialduty,
however, to uphold the rights of ev-
cry human being; to exalt the indi-
vidual within the community; to ex-
alt the man within the Government;
to remove all obstacles which error
or pow er has placed in the pathway
of the people; to uphold the interests
of labor; to resist the extension OF
chartered monopolies; to ameliorate
the condition ofhumanity by the free
course of intelligence and virtue; tc
strengthen the weak hands and con.
firm the feeble knees; to execute
and justice in the land; tc
winnow the grain of truth from the
chat of prejudice or old forms; tt
cut away the wood which has liyec
and borne fruit and decayed in thu
obsolete past; to make room for tht
new growth and fresh fruits Of thi.
vital and active presently ntpsdhere
to principles, and always improvs
policies and methods; to aprove al
things and hold fast that which il
good;" to remove impediments, ane
not to foster or protect specia
growths; to remove shackles from
men, restrictions from trade, bur
dens from industry; to be, in fact
the bold, aggressive party of adj
vance, of progress, of true reform.
And in order to carry out thes'
views in the exigencies of thes'
times, to favor free trade, home rule
honest civil service, and a system o
finance which, without forced infia
ton, without forced contraction
without forced resumption, will ap
preciate the Government paper cur
rency to its par with coin, and allow
the laws of trade to regulate its vol
ume. These are the purposes of it
being; this the aim of its efforts
The Democratic party Of 9higha'
always been true to its principles. 4
has preferred truth to victory /
has seldom enjoyed the fruits of as
sured C 1t has often tastet
the bitterness of defeat, but at eacf
reverse it has fallen back upon TIL,
people, and, like Ant@us ofold, wheI
he touched the bosom. of his Mothe
Earth, has come forth again strength
ened and renewed for another con
test. And so it willalways be. Thi.
party may be often defeated, but i
will be neither conquered nor dis
solved until the cunning or tn
strength of our molern Hercnlei
shall separate it from.its~ principles
the only source of its lie an,
strength.
Ohio demands your attention to
day. In population, resources ant
! political power it holds the thirt
, rank in the States. This year i
withstand In the forefront 5ftie bat
tie. We will fight the first ateat en-
gagement Of the war; doubtless TIL
decisive one. Our energies will b
taxed to the uttermost. Our pros
pests of success do not inspire vain
confidence; but they do stimulate
hope and courage an exertion. TIL
Democracy of the nation looks to u
{ to-day with sympathy and s~olicitude
See to it, gentlemen, that we have
every possible advantage in the fight
See to it that we lose no vantag'
ground by your action. In order t.
succeed in Ohio our Democrac,
should be united as one man; on
|, candidates should have its entir'
confidence; our banners should bea
no strange device.
To this end let this Convention