The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-05-13
A Voice For Thurman.

strains of their choice music. after
which Hon. John G. Thompson, as
Chairman of the Democratic State
Central Committee, called the Con-
vention to order, briefly stating the
objects of it's assembling and announc-
ed the following as the temporary Of
ficers selected by the committee:
Temporary President-Hon. Frank
FL. Hurd, of Lucas.
Temporary Secretary-Colonel j. S.
Grail, of Mansfield.
Assistants-Messrs. George Wall, of
Erie; w. w. Redfield, of Huron; l..
f. McKenna, of Perry, and j. X. New
conner, of Champaign.
Mr.. Thompson then in few brief
and appropriate remarks introduced
Hon. Frank H. Hurd, who stepped to
the front and accepted the position in
the following eloquent speech:
SPEECH OF HON. F. II. HURD.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION -
i thank you most cordially for the
honor you have conferred upon me.
l congratulate you upon the auspic-
ious circumstances under which. we
are assembled to-day. I congratulate
you upon the magnificent attendance
this convention has evoked, composed
as it is OF the intelligence and enthn-
siasm of the Democratic party of Ohio.
1 congratulate you upon the harmony
and unity in our organization; not two
conventions to throw shadows upon
our future promises; nor warning fac
tions which require public reconcilia-
tion of their leaders; but one party,
of one purpose, animated by one spfr-
it of fidelity to the organization, devo.
ton to its principles, faithful support
of its nominees and firm determine
ton to carry Its banner to victory. /
you upon the supremacy
of our party in both halls of the Fed
eral Congress !or the first time in the
year of presidential election for more
than quarter of century,! A su-
premacy which assures us of the fruits
of our victory when we shall have won
it and which proclaims to the country
and the world that the fraud of, 1876
shall not be repeated in 1880; that the
popular will shall not again be thwart-
ed by the corrupt action' Of fraudulent
boards and the false decis
ions of partisan electoral commissions.
We al assembled to-day to open q
the most important in the his
tory of the country. Ohio will be the
for the two great political
parties. Our October election will be
the first great contest in the national
On the second Tuesday of
that month the lines of the parties will
have been drawn in every township in
the Union; the nominations will. all
have been made; the leaders will all
have been chosen; the struggle will
have been begun; on that day hostili-
ties all oyer the country will be sus-
pended; all eyes will be turned to
Ohio; in breathless suspense the re-
suit of our contest will be. awaited.
What word shall Ohio send? Fellow
Democrats, let US see to it that on that
night the lightning flashes all oyer
the land the word which will carry
confusion and discom-
fiture to our foes and encouragement,
and enthusiasm to our
friends such words as shall start in
motion the tide which shall sweep
with resistless flood to victory the ma
tional standard-bearers of the Demo-
cratic party.
Every motive and impulse of party
fealty and patriotic duty urges us to
he contest. The issues involved are
The most important and far reaching
ever submitted to the country; it is
he issue between the simple republic
Of the constitution and the strong gov.
srnment of centralized power; be-
.ween the army and the people; be-
.ween free elections and military in
reference at the polls. Can freemen
Dc silent in such a contest? Can men
who hold as sacred the traditions Of
Jefferson and Jackson and profess to |
De imbued with their spirit be indif-
erent in such q struggle? Mol no!
a thousand times no! The fate of free !
government on this continent depends |
Ipen the result. The destiny Of the |
epublic is involved. The hopes of |
he world are at stake, There must
,e no idlers, nor trifiers, nor stragglers,
Tor boilers, nsr disorganizers. now.
rhe lines must be closed up. The or
,anizstion must be perfected. The |
discipline must be thorough and COM
'lete. -4:a .issii .ft g.. /
The old watchwo ords and battle cries
# the party must be heard again. The
the right and sovereign
y of the States inviolate as the suresti
uarntee of the 3perpetuity of the
Jnion; no consolidation of power in
he federal government T; an indestruct-
BILE union Union Of indestructable
tates; opposition to monopolies
cath to the national banking system;
currency as good as gold and silver
nd based upon them and issued un-
er constitutional authority; the ut
lost liberty to the private citizen con-
istent with the public safety; no
laws the removal of em.
arrassing restrictions upon trade
arif for revenue only, with the ulti-
late view of free trade with all the
yorld the most for the man, the least
,r the government the uplifting, the
xalting of the individual; the limit
lg, the restraing of governmental
ower-these were the battle cries of
ne Democratic party from 1898! They
re hallowcd by the immortal lips
'hich uttered Them They were i'm
in the administration of the
,deral government by the Democratic
arty for nearly century. They were
ushed in the thunder of the civil
rife and stifled in it's smoke they,
vere silenced in the despotism of the |.
era. Let them be re.
ived in 1880. Let them be shouted
n every hillside and valley in the
md until in the trumpet tones of tri.
mph they are declared in November
ext to be as of yore the sentiments of
le American people. With such or
with such watchwords and
18th the banner of our glorious party II
! the hands of him who stands in tho
ont rank with the ableSt Of lawyers, ,
,e purest of Statesmen, the truest of
atriots and bravest Of Democratic,
Hen G. Thurman, the result can not
e doubtful. 1t will be decisive vicr
'ry for free government and the /,
'emocratic party. "A.
The speech was applauded most en-, ,
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