Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-23
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
The Opening Proceedings At
Cincinnati.
SPEECH OF THE TEMPORARY
CHAIRMAN.

CINCINNATI, O., June %. The convention
is now (ll.4O A. NJ rapidly assembling in
Music Hall, the galleries being occupied
largely by ladies. The main body Of the
hall is assigned to delegates and alternates,
whose positions are indicated hy neat BAN
ners of blue silk, edged with gold, bearing
the names of the respective States. The
upper galleries are decked with American
flags. At the windows flags of all nations
are flying In the centre of the hall is sus-
pended blue canvass bearing the motto
"OhiO greets the nation"
The seating capacity of the hall is less than
half that in Chicago. Back OF the platform
an organ discourses music, and in the main
gallery at the opposite end, military band
is stationed. Shields are on either side of
the organ, each bearing thirteen stars, and
the National stripes bear also the words
peace, good will. prosperity, happiness"
on one side; abundance, victory, COM
merce, enterprise" on the other.
The arrangements for the press, though
moderately good, are not equal to those of
Chicago having been controlled by men
without experience. There is a great deal
of loud complaint on the part of the press
representatives.
Among the prominent men on the plat
form are Representatives Regan of Texas;
Atkins of Tenn Forney of Ala. Harris Of
Va; Blackburn Of Ky; Hill Of Ohio;
Springer of Ill. also Representatives Ban
ming and Rice of Ohio, and John G. Thomp-
son. sergeant at arms of the House. At noon
the organ played medley of National airs.
| About two-thiris of the delegates are in their
seats. The platform and galleries are well
| filed.
Ex-senator Barnum, chairman Of the DEM
| ocratic National committee. called the con-
vention to order at l2.45.
PRAYER was offered by Rev. Charles W.
| W endte of the Unitarian church, who spoke
of the young republic of America having
become a refuge and as YUM for the distressed
! and the down trodden throughout the world.
| and the light and hope of the nations, and
PRAYED that every unjust law on the statute
! book might be erased and our political life
purged from every evil that keeps back peo-
pie from the highest measure of virtue and
happiness Above all, he continued, let there
be an end of all sectional divisions and
strifes.
| Mr.. Barnum, by direction Of the National
committee, presented the name OF Hon. Geo
| HoadIey of Ohio. for temporary chairman
which was agreed to. Wing Scott and II
ID. McHenry were appointed to conduct him
to the chair. Hoadley's approach to the
Il
ceeded to address the committee and the con
vention. He thanked them for their com
plimentary action in putting him in thu
chair, and pledged himself to the strictest i'm
partially in the administration ofthe duties as
signed to him.
1 This was the only adequate method BY
which he could testify his gratitude. Al
chairman he should be neither friend or FOX
to any nominee, though he had his favorite
in whose behalf he was both earnest ant
partisan He took the ground that represen
tatives here were not delegates Of Congress
siopal districts, but rs representatives of in
destructible States. Csubdued applause. HI
proceeded with some remarks on the demo
cratic party, for which this convention woul'
make no new creed, which had its own vital
ity aud which would not depend for its futur
on the success Of its ticke. or be crushed on
by its defeat Their duties here we're simpl.
to declare the party will. The occasion wa
one of great interest and importance.
At St Louis four years ago they placed j
nomination two of the foremost men OF tn
nation. lGreat applause. The subsequen
repetition Of Samuel ]. Tilden's name &C
cssioned another outburst, the delegates RS
ing in their seats and cheering and wavin
fans. He asserted they were - certainl
elected ~ was Washington or Monroe
[Subdued applause.
He denounced the republican party - on
of fraud, which cheated the people Of thei
choice, thus proving their. in6delity to T.
publican principles; but if the Democrat
party shoulJ again be successful, no cunnin
ldevice Of dishonest axhitration should 70