The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-06-18
THE CINCINNATI CONVENTION.


THE CINCINNATI CONVENTION.
TRUTH IN POLITICs-THE THING Dill
NOT WORK.
An InterestinE and A Yet Unpublished
Episode I'm the Proceedings.
New York SUM-
At the opening Of the Convention 1t
was evident that there would be no
choice on the first ballot. Immediately
after perfecting permanent Organlza-
ton, the Convention adjourned till
Thursday.
On Thursday morning, at 10 O'Clock,
every delegate was In his seat except the
gentlemen from Vermont. These
worthy and respectable men had been
lodged in brewery and fortified by the
recent decision Of q. Green Mountain
Judge, had conscientiously endeav-
Ored to determine whether Cincinnati
beer is, as claimed, the best in the
country. The Vermont delegation
came in late, and made futile attempt
to incorporate their views on this SUBJ
ject in the Conventions platform.
While the Chairman was calling the
Convention to order, a venerable gen.
tleman, of prepossessing appearance,
came forward from the midst OF the in
vited guests at the rear of the platform
and advanced to the desk.
Il wish to address the convention,
he said to the chairman. II am aware
that am out of order, but nevertheless
/ must say few words"
Are you delegate ?" asked the pre-
siding officer.
"Not exactly delegate, sir, yet pro-
49, +<x III n II,
yention than any other person."
ct is the Great Unknown was whis
pered through the body of the hall.
mot in the sense you understand,
said the old fellow, smiling, although
am a stranger to many Of you and al
most wholly unknown to political con-
ventions. MY name is Truth I am
quite sensible that / am out OF place
here, yet it is my intention to preside
over your deliberations. / do not cOvet
the distinction, assure you. But just
one hundred years ago, gentlemen, l
took part in a political convention in
Philadelphia, and though / have had
hut little to do with politics since then,
/ came here to-day out OF respect to the
memory of that gathering-out Of re-
spect to the memory Of Franklin and
Hancock and Jefferson, and'-here he
bowed reverently-"the memory of
Washington.
Motioning the astonished Chairman
to one side, Truth took his place at the
desk and raped briskly thereon with
gavel of gold, fashioned like little
Ratchet.
I'VE will proceed to business" he
said, land it is necessary to remind you
that, while preside, your lips must be
in honest accord with your hearts, and
your words must tally with your
thoughts"
A Bristow man then rose to address
the Convention I'm presenting the |
name of Benjamin H. Bristow, of Ken
lucky" he said, Il cannot avoid calling |
your attention to events still fresh in the |
memory of all of us. The country has
not forgotten the late assault on the
public treasury by band Of organized |
and unprincipled thieves. What is the |
record of the Republican party in regard
TO that gigantic fraud? When the honest
citizen goes to the polls in November,
let him remember the Infamous whisky
and let him link that mem
Dry to the Republican party when he
recalls the name OF -"
Truth, the chairman, who had been
listening attentively to the speaker,
mere raped sharply with his little
ratchet.
"-Babcock," concluded the Bris-
;ow man, as il impelled by some ire
'istible power: and he then resumed his
jeat in confusion.
Forty delegates sprang to their feet.
gentleman from Maine was recognized
Is having the floor.
"In nominating the Hon. James G..
3laine," he shouted, 81 need not en-
arge upon his splendid abilities and
public services. will only
all attention to the fact that after
earching investigation his reputation
or patriotic sipgIeness of purpose and
PERSONAL integrity is absolutely"
Down came the golden Ratchet on the
lesk.
Absolutely worthless. stammer-
ID the speaker, apparently struggling
lgainst an influence he could not resist,
md sitting down amid buzz Of excited
comment.
A Nebraska delegate followed. els
his a conspiracy" he asked, with indig-
rant vehemence, ''or is it witchcraft?
Have the gentlemen from Mr. Blaine's
,wn State deserted him? Have they
)asely sold themselves to the enemy?
As for me, as for Nebraska, as for the
great Northwest, we shall stand firm!
And why do / vote for Mr.. Blaine? 1t is
need. 1t is because / believe hira the
pest man because l believe him high
minded and virtuous statesman; be-
Here the unselfish patriot from Ne
oraska became conscious that the clear
blue eye of Truth. the chairman, was
liked sternly on him. He turned red,
lesitated, and hung his head sheep
silly.
e Because" he reluctantly went
IN, because Blaine has promised a
to the man in Omaha who
WINS me body and SOUL"
And SO the remarkable proceedings
vent on. Delegate after delegate sought
he floor, hoping to remedy the disas-
;rous admissions Of preceding speakers.
But just as often as they sought to mis-
their real motives, or to con-
zeal in ingenious verbiage the true
of their hearts, down came
The terrible little gavel and forth from
heir lips came the naked, inconve-
lient, and often shameful truth. There