Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-07-09
The Speech Of John W. Daniel Nominating
Winfield s. Hancock.

of this speech which has attracted So much
attention throughout the Union and we
give it below. It is Q splendid piece of
oratory and we'll worth reading:
The Chair-The Chair has the honor to
present to the Convention the Hon. John
W. Daniel, of Virginia.
Mr.. Daniel-Mr. President and brother
Democrats of the National Convention, it
is not the weakness, but it is the essential
strength OF true Democracy that Its con-
stituents should possess varied ard diff
ferent opinions as to who is the man to re-
ceive public houors, to maintain correct
principles, and to execute the peoples
will. 1t is the glory of true Democracy
that its constituents will renounce all per
sOnal opinions and preferences when the
voice OF majority has pointed to the cho-
sen servant Of the people TO execute the
peoples will.
We are here to-day embarrassed by the
very brilliancy and variety o! tile names
which have challenged public favor for the
first Office in the peOpIs's gift. Jurists
who have worn untarnlshed efinlne; States
men who have nodded the policy. shaped
the measures aud fought the battles OF the
party; TO diers who have enriched Cur his
tory with feats of arms, and who are bat
tie SCARED with wounds of honor; orators,
scholars, thinkers, actors IN every leading
enterprise of practical nature Or intellec-
tual endeavor; stand in glittering array
around US, worthy to be crowned with any
honor or 10 be the recipient OF ally trust
that this great Republic can bestoW. The
question which | have asked myself, the
question which, it seems to me, should be
the index finger 10 guide our work to a
wise conclusion, Is this: who is that NAH
among them who can interlace together
the heartstrings Of the American reopleY
(Cheers.l Who is that man who can make
to permeate through every portion Of this
mighty country those sentiments of mutual
confidence and of brotherly love which
once abided among US before the schism of
the secession WARP IA voice, s'Tilden!' ]
When have asked the question the heart
of every man gives me All answer that that
man is Winfield scott Hancock, of Pena-
sylvania. Loud cheers.] Did l say OF
Pennsylvania? Winfield Scott Hancock,
of the United States [cheers]; of every
State by his good right hand reunited.
They tell us. gentlemen, that this country
is tired of the rule of the camp and of the
sword. They tell us that the people are
weary of martial habits and of martial
measures. 1 acknowledge that fact, but
all the more will they welcome with glad
some greetings the man who first abolish
es them.
Who is he, indeed? He is the man who
abolished the rule of the camp IN civil
places?
All the more ready are we, therefore, to
receive into our hearts him who was the
first to salute with his stainless sword the
majesty of the civil law [cheers], who was
the first to bow with knightly crestsat the
bar of civil justice; whe was the first OF
all .-,I,. or1 win a1< ~,
the wilderness of deSpOtSm: lake the
way straight for the reign OF peace, and
for the sovereignty Of the people. y
[Cheefs.
Bethink you not, my friends, that the
American people are SO indiscrlminating
as to apprehend the embryo of a Brutus or
the embryo of a Caesar in the man who
was the Brutus of unhallOwed arbitrary
power [Cheers.I
Those words came to this country like a
sunburst upon a wintry day. They were
like the springiDg up Of fountain in d
desert. They were like the shadow of a
great rec1 in q weary land. [CLeers.
And long after this great Convention has
passed away from earth tie millions who
are to come after us will be singing upon
their t. ngues these words which belong to
RuDnymede ard to Magma Charta. The
great principles OF American liberty are
still the lawful inheritance of this people.
[Applause.] The trial by jury, the habeas
corpus, the freedom of speech, the liberty
of the press, the natural rights of persons
ana the rights of property must be preserv-
ed. [Applause.
They tell us tnat we, the American peO
pie, do not want a soldier. The greats st
and best, tie magistl ate without a peer,
was who (? George Washington [cheers. ]
vryk,x 70 had hC1y in tho cn6Aln
and whose history is made musical with
the clinking of the spur. Madison and
Monroe were soldiers. Jackson, and Har-
rison, and Taylor were soldiers. [Cheers:1
Buchanan and Lincoln had both borne
arms for the Republic. All adown the
line of your Presidents for one hundred
years are sparkling names of the American
soldiers.
And why shall we not now follow in the
footsteps of our father 8, and present the
greatest Office which this Republic can be-
stow upon that great Democratic soldier
who shed his blood for his people, yet who
was loyal to the cOnquering banner.
CHEERS
Just one word more. The nomination
of General Hancock means instantaneous
and continuous aggression. 1t will sound
to America like general order from this
council of war: 1--WE move on the enemy
works tomorrow. [Applause.] The sig
nal gun sounds the advance. The bugle
ring boots and saddles, the standard to the
front. With the nomination of Hancock.
you will hear the tread of the moving le-
gions. [Applause.] l am reminded here
that the first man yesterday whose very
presence in this Convention touched the
heart and brought forth spontaneously its
annlanaa WAS the HOl(1i9r.Statasman nf
South Carolina. [Applause.] Nominate
Winfield Scott Hancock and let the last
cheer of this Convention 60 up for the
Union soldiers who have shown themselves
so generous In welcoming us. [Applause.l
Then. my friends in this canvass, you will
hear the hearty hurrah Of the boys who
wore the blue mingling with the wild;
sweet music of the rebel cheer in one
grand National anthem. Applause
Then. my friends, the divided tribes, who,
like the Romans Of old, have come down
from the mountain of secession, will roll
in one mighty and undivided stream for
the regeneration of this Nation. Jap