Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1880-07-03
SCENES And INCIDENTS.
Tilden's Letter Declining a
denomination.
ONLY fHREE BALLOTS TAKEN.
First Days Proceedings!
CINCINNATI, June %, 1870.


Ex-senator Barnum, of Connecticut;
chairman of the Democratic national
committee. called the convention TO
order at l2:45 P. NJ.
PRAYER was offered by the Rev. Chas.
a. Wendte, of the Unitarian church,
who spoke of the young Democracy OF
America having become a refuge ana
asylum for the distressed and down.
trodden throughout the world and the
light and hope of the nation, and prayed
that with an unfaltering hand every un-
lust law on the statute book might be
erased, and our political life purged
from every evil that keeps back the
people from the highest measure OF vir-
tue and happiness. Above all he con-
tinued, let there be an end OF all Sec
tional divisions and strifes.
Mr. Barnum then, by direction of the
national committee. presented the name
OF the Honorable George Hoadley, of
Ohio, for temporary chairman. who was
declared the choice of the convention.
William L. Scott and II. ID. McHenry
were appointed 10 conduct him 10 the
chair. Mr. Hoadley's approach to the
platform was greeted with applause.
Mr.. Hoadley proceeded to address the
committee and convention. His state
ment that the representatives here were
not DELEGATES of congressional districts
but representatives of indestructible
states was greeted with applause.
When he stated that " at St. Louis
four years ago they placed in nomina-
ton two of the foremost men OF the ma
ton" great applause followed. The
subsequent repetition of the name OF
Samuel i. Tilden was the occasion for
another Outburst, the delegates rising
in their seats and cheering and waving
fans. The following Is Judge Hoad-
ley's speech in full:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the Ma
tiOnal Executive Committee: obey this call
to the chair OF this convention with grateful
acknowledgment OF the confidence reposed in
me. Ii shall be my sedulous care TO prove
worthy OF your nomination.
Fellow delegates fellow Democrats: Thanks
tor your welcome your generous welcome
my best response to which will be, my only
adequate response can be, the strictest impair
tiality in the exercise of the power during The
briei period it Is committed TO me. | shall
make mistakes. l trust you will forgive
them. am SURGEON will, as soon as l satisfy
YOU that, although a. a delegate l am the
Jealous friend, even the partisan OF my iavor-
tie candidate, a. your presiding officer shall
know neither friend or Toe of any candidate,
bat discharge my duty with absolute lair
ness and fideity OF purpose. OF this you have
my pledge.
Gentlemen OF the conventions: Our lore
fathers, distrusting popular choice, established
in each State an electoral college, to whose
unpledged action they sought TO iairust the
election OF the chief magistrates Of the Re-
public. Their children, taught by experience,
have wisely modified the constitutional scheme
bvan unwritten amendment which combines
the advantages of the electoral system with
the direct popular vote. While II preserves tor
each State It's just weight OF influence upon
the result Conventions Of delegates chosen
by the people OF two or more parties have al
ready presented candidates Tor popular ac-
cepance at the coming election, ard another
great college OF electors is now assembled IN
his hail. and the Office you thus Nil, though
rot defined by law, is OF transcendent legal
cons.querce. / need not say that IN this
assembly it viii not be doubted that you are
net deli gates from congressional districts, but
reprrsenlatircs Ci(ncs e indestructible units OF
our IN lcsu ucibe Union, the States.
Castom ia5 defined your duties. They are
. cons 'rGct y Platform and TO nominate can
didntcs. You are not, however called To-
geiher to create creed, but to apply known
principal u present public affairs. The Dem
ocrs,tic principle does not date its birth from
vour assembling, aud will not perish with the
succ,.s or defeat OF the candidates you nom
mate. Il is eternal, a divine IRE burning in