Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-06-03
THE CONVENTION.
CALLED TO ORDER.

THE CONVENTION.
CALLED TO ORDER.
CHICAGO, June AT LOS precisely
Chairman Cameron, of the national Republican
committe called the convention to order.
Rev. A. E. Kitteridge, of the Third Presbyte-
lian church, Chicago, invoked the divine bless
ing upon the labOrs of the convention, return
Ing thanks in an eloquent prayer for the pros
perity and unity of this nation. The chairman
then called on the secretary to read the call,
and Secretary Keogh proceeded in a clear
voice to read the document.
CHAIRMAN cAMERoN's ADDRESS.
Mr.. Cameron then spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of the Convention: ask your
attention for few moments. Gentlemen of
the convention, before the convention enters
on the important duties that have called us
together, | ask your attention for single
moment. During the canvass just ended there
has been manifested in many sections of the
country considerable bitterness, which trust
will entirely disappear before entering on the
grave duties devolving upon us. Let there be
but one motive governing our action, and let
that be determination to place in nomination
the strongest possible candidates, strong IN
themselves, strong in the confidence and affec-
mond the respect of the civilized world. Our
country, of which we are justly proud, has
grown so rapidly in population, wealth and in
huence during the existence of the Repub
lican party that we have attained posi-
ton as one of the leading powers of
the world. We can no longer be satisfied with
our issolation. Recognizing the changed con-
dition we must place in position men whose
familiarity with other nations will enable them
to direct our affairs SO that we will take the
lead in commerce, as we have in agriculture
and manufactures. Don't for moment doubt
the strength of our institutions. They have
been tried in blood, and we came from the con-
test better and stronger power than the most
ardent patriot dared to hope for. No combina-
tion of circumstances, no cOterie of individu-
ais, no personal ambition can ever prevail
against the intelligence and the unborn love of
liberty which are implanted in the hearts of
Americans.
When the nominations are made and tho con-
vention has completed its work, let there be
but one sentiment animating all earnest, sim
cere and unselfish representatives, and let that
be that each shall vie with the other in carry
ing our grand old party through the coming
contest to victory.
TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN.
Ihave been instructed by the Republican
national committee to place in nomination as
temporary chairman the Hon. George f. Hoar,
of Massachusetts. ALI who are in favor of
that nomination will say aye. Contrary, no.
Nor contrary vote heard.
Mr. Cameron-The chair will appoint Gov.
Davis, of Texas. the Hon. William b. Frye,
of Maine, and Hon. Greene B. Rsum to con-
duct the chairman to his seat.
Mr.. Hoar on being conducted to the chair by
the committee was received with great ap.
plause
The Chair-I take great pleasure in intro
ducing to you Hon. George f. Hoar, of
Massachusetts. (Applause.)
REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN HoAR.
The applause ended, Senator Hoar spoke as
follows:
Gentlemen of the Convention: 1 thank you
for this distinguished mark of your confidence.
The trainers of the constitution expected that
the President would be chosen by electors who
were to assemble in their respective States
and, on consultation with each other, give their
ballots for chief magistrate. In case of
failure by the electors the House of Represen-
tatives, acting by States, We're to make choice
from the four who had the highest number Of
voices in the colleges. So far from direct
the choice of the executive, but
the people, by the customs they have estab-
Iished, have baffled the expectations of the
trainers of the constitution. The electOr to-
day is but q scribe of the conventions of the
great political parties, to designate each for
whom the people voted directly through their
agents, the electors, and to a choice between
whom they fare practically restricted. The
functions of this convention, therefore, is to
name one of the two men from whom the peo-
pie of the United States are to select as their
President. lie it performs its duty wisely,
fearlessly, freely, it is to name the man
whom Ethe people will make their Pres
ident. Your tenure of the Office
is brief, but scarcely any duty is intrusted to
the most honored citizen of the republic which
in dignity, in authority, in far reaching public
Importance, equals yours.
1t is twenty years since the Republican con-
vention met in this city, which after stormy
but friendly contest, put in nomination Abra-
ham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamiin. Lincoln
has gone to his rest. HIS companion upon that
ticket, in fresh and vigorous age is present
with us to-day to give us counsel from the
store of an experience gathered from life of
honorable public service. Lincoln has gone to
his rest, as have Douglas and Breckenridge, his
two competitors for the great office of the Pres
| idency, but the parties which confronted each
other then, confront each other now, unchanged
in purpose, in temper and in character.
The Democratic party was ruled then as now,
by the South. The single purpose of its being
| was to give political supremacy to the oligarchy
of the South and Office without reference to
their subserVient Northern allies. In the pur-
suit of that end every great public interest was
sacrificed or disregarded, expending little for
public improvements either in the West or on
inland rivers or lakes. In 1860 the credit OF
the nation was poor, its treasury empty, its six
| per cent. bonds below par,
our unprotected manufacturers continued
at a fearful disadvantage with the paupel
labor of Europe, on whose workshops we
depended for large portion of the necessaries
and comforts OF life. Our little navy was scat
tered over the four-quarters of the globe. -Four
millions of our countrymen were in hopeless
bondage to them. Every new State, as it took
Its place in the great family, but added new
dungeon to their gloomy prison house. Al
last, as the Democratic party let go its hold or
power, the nation and flag itself seemed about
to be folded and laid aside to be regarded
thenceforth miserable symbol of the fulfill
ty and folly of the great experiment of self
government.
The Democratic party confronts Us to-day, a.
said unchanged in purpose, in temper anG
character, united in nothing else, proposing M
other policy. 1t urges its warfare upon th.
safeguards which the nation has thrown around
the purity of its elections. 1t can see no Other
evil except that o free man should cast free
vote, under the protection of national author
ity. In Louisiana and Mississippi its the &C
ccmplce of the white lesgue and the kuklux
In North carolina IL takes the honest ballO
from the box and stuffs the tissue ballot in il,
place. In New York it issues fraudulent
naturalization papers, three score thousands ir
number. In Maine itsl ambitious larceny triet
to pilfer whole State government at once
In Delaware it looks with complacency on the
whipping post. As in war is found in the CON
stitution nothing which could protect the ma
ton, SO in no place it finds nothing there
which aims to protect the national honor.
Il Can yeu find in the history of the Demo