San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-08-21

trust us the utmost benefits of al
honest administration of nationa
affairs. No higher purpose or motiv'
can stimulate us to supreme effort o.
urge us to continuous and eaines
labor and effective party organiza
ton. Let us not fail in this and W,
may confidently hope to reap the full
reward of patriotic services well per
formed. I have thus called to mind
some simple truths, and trite though
they are, it seems to me we do wei
to dwell upon them at this time.
shall soon, hope, signify in the asua
formal manner my acceptance of the
nomination which has been rendered
to me. In the meantime gladly
greet you all as co-workers in a noble
cause.
MIR HENDRICKS REPLIES.
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMAN OF THE
CoMMITTEE-I can not realize that O
man should ever stand in the pres
ence of committee representing a
more august body of men than that
which you represent. In the langu-
age of another, the convention was
large in numbers, august in culture
and patriotic in sentiments, and may
I not add to that because of the
power and the greatness, and the
virtues of the party it represented.
It was itself in every respect very
great convention. (Applause.) The
delegates came from all the States
and Territories, and I believe, too.
from the District of Columbia.
(Applause). They came clothed with
authority to express judgment and
opinion upon all these questions
which are not settled by constitu-
tional law, for the purpose Of passing
upon those questions and select a
ticket for the people. That Conven-
ton assembled, they decided upon
the principles that they would adopt
as platform they selected the
candidates that they would propose
to the party for their support and
that Convention work was done.
I have not reached the period when
it is proper for me to consider the
strength and force of the statements
made in the platform. 1t is enough
for me to know that it comes at your
hands from that convention, addressed
to my patriotism and devotion to the
Democraticparty. (Applause.) That
I appreciate the honor that is done
me Ineed not question, but at the
same time that I accept the honor
from you and from the convention !
feel that the duties and responsible
ties of the Office rest upon me. Also
I know that sometimes it is under
stood thae this particular Office, that
of Vice President, does not involve
much responsibility, and as general
thing that is 80, but sometimes it
comes to represent very great
responsibilities, and it may be so in
the near future, for at this time the
Senate of the United States stands
almost equally divided between the
two great parties, and it may be that
these two great parties shall 80 ex-
actly differ that the Vice President
of the United States shall have to
decide upon questions of law by the
exercise of the casting of a vote.
(Applause.) The responsibility would
then become very great. 1t would
not then be the responsibility of
representing State or District.
It would be the responsibility of repre-
senting the whole country, and the
obligation would be to the judgment
Of the whole country, and that vote
when thus cast would be in obedience
10 the just expectations and require
nents of the people of the United
States.
1t might be, gentlemen, that upon
another occasion great responsibility |
would attach to this Office. 1t might
occur that under circumstances Of
some difficulty, I don't think it will
be the next election, but it may
occur under circumstances Of some
difficulty, the President of the Senate
will have to take his part in the count
ng of the electoral vote, and allow
ne to say that duty is not to be dis
charged in obedience to any set OF
men or any party, but in obedience
% a higher authority. (Applause.
Gentlemen, you have referred to
he fact that / am honored by this
in very special degree.
accept the suggestion that in this
i will represent the right
4 the people TO choose their own
ulers, that right that is above all,
hat lies beneath all. If they are
lenied the right TO choose their own
Ulcers according TO their own judg-
nent what shall become OF the rights
4 the people at ALI What shall
,ecome Of free Government II the
,eople select not their officers how
hall they control the laws, their
administration and their executioni
70 that in suggesting that in this
aDdidacy / represent that right OF
be people as you hsve suggested. q
reat honor has devolved upon me
" the confidence Of the convention.
Is soon As it may be convenient and
,ossible 10 do 30. / vii address you
nore formally in respect 10 the letter
-Ou have gwen me. / thank yOu,
-enueDen-