The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-07-06
ST. LOUIS.
Report Of the Proceedings Of
The National Dem
ocratic Conven-
ton.
TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION.

was called to order at Il is o'clock by
Augustus Schell, Of New York, in the
following words:
Gentlemen:
AS chairman of the national democrats
ic committee, the duty has been assign
ed to me to call this convention to order
according to the usages Of the Democrat
ic party. This large body OF represen-
tative men, coming from every section
of the union, have assembled for the pur
pose of nominating the democratic party
candidates for president and vice
president of the United States, whose
election will make a change in the adj
ministration OF the government, and stay
the corruptions which have been destroy
ing it. Applausc] The momentous
issue before the country is outlined ana
clear, in distinct form and proportions.
1t cannot be overlooked under estlmat-
ed or avoided. American people CT every
class applause and OF all parties. The
corruption which now exists in the gov
eminent, which is suffering from it, must
be purified and elevated, and the ques.
ton is, to whose hands shall be commit
ted the duty of cleansing and raising it?
Shall it be committed to those whose un-
clean hands have spoiled it? No. In
the hour when the national honor, pub
lie virtues and the moral sentiment OF
mankind demand reform, the
duty must and shall be assigned to the
democratic party. Great applause,
The people will not support this idea
that the thing to be reformed can be re-
formed by itself This will answer, yea
is necessary in the case OF an individual,
who is answerable to his conscience and
to his God tor his sins but what is to be-
come of public official integrity if men
to whom is assigned the performance OF
public trusts shall abuse their power viO-
late their obligations and their oaths?
The people are generous and coniiding,
and are honest; they may be slow, but
in the end they are intelligent and sagac-
ious. The people we'll comprehend their
rights and their interests, and those
rights have been too ieartully violated.
and those interests too shanetully me-
elected, to ever again trust the admin
istration OF their government to the re-
publican party. Great applause.
There is also another issue which COM
mands the consideration of the country,
and that is the currency issue. The
democratic party has from its origin and
through all the time OF its existence been
what is known rs the hard-money party
otthe country, applause and the subtle
and adroit effort on the part OF the re-
publican party to charge upon the demo-
cratic party the present condition OF
affairs, and to insist that that party is now
the soit-money party, is entirely incor-
rect for let me ask in what page of the
statutes, on what act Of public authority
in which democrats have had the power
and the control, is there writtenone word
one line. one law which has provided oil
caused the present condition Of things
Al the acts OF this government recogni.
zing the paper money, or authorizing its
use rs legal tender. the actions of the
supreme court in declaring the law con-
stitutional under which these acts were
authorized, were all done and performed
during the existence and power of the
republican party. What has been the
effect of ii? Commerce is paralyzed
the manufacturing interests almost dies.
troyed in the country; prosperity In.
disappeared, and want has taken il:
place. How is it to be remediedo TIL.
democratic party, with its interests. will
see the remedy is applied OF frugal an,
economical government and q diminu
ton OF taxation. 1t cannot be broue b
about by forced contraction. Applause.
1t should not be assisted by additionalin
tation. But we take the country as
stands. Applause We are calle,
upon TO apply the remedy, and one rem
edy which commends itself to ever,
honest man and to every REASONABLE
democrat. is TO demand the repeal OF th
resumption act. Applause. Ropes
that act; put the government in III
them pursue the course which they wi
pursue, OF an economical admins
tration that government, and assur
yon that the time is not far distant whe
specie payments will be resumed. th
prosperity of,he country will be re.
tored. and the whole American peopl
be happy once more. Applause.
Gentlemen. the time is suspicious an
the occasion is suggestive. One hur
dred years ago the first democratic n
semblage met in Philadelphia. repres
sntatives OF the colonies OF this country
TApplause.] They there. under II
guide Of that sage. that patriot. th:
name ever to be revered-Thomas Je
ferson appauscl-laid the foundade
of that evil and religious liberty whis
our fathers built and which we now er
Joy on this occasion. this centennial yea
The democratic party has assembled
convention once more 10 do that whit
our fathers did-that is TO proclaim q
cause and adopt tho means which shs
be necessary to restore US to our anciel
prosperity. Applause During :
the tune that the power of the COVER
ment has been in the hands Of the dem
cratic party-during all that time.