The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-08-06

Mr.. HENDRICKS HEPLY.
Mr.. Hendricks replied as follows:
Mr., CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF
| THE CoMMrTTEE-I cannot imagine that a
man should ever stand in the presence OF a
committee representing more august body
of men than that which you represent. In
the language of another, the convention was
large in numbers, august in culture and
patriotic in sentiments, and may l not add
to that, that because of the power and the
greatness and virtues, and the party which
| It represented, it was itself and in every
| respect a very great convention. APP
plausel The delegates came from all the
States and Territories, and | believe, too
| from the District OF Columbia. Applause.
They came clothed with authority to ex-
press Judgment and opinion upon all these
| questions which are not settled by consti-
tutional law for the purpose Of passing
/ upon those questions and selecting ticket
for the people. That convention assembled
they decided upon the principles that they
would adopt as a platform, they selected
the candidates that they would propose to
the party for their support, and that con
vention's work was theirs. | have not
reached the period whenit 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 al
| your hands from that convention addressed
to my patriotic devotion to the Democratic
party [Applanse.] appreciate the hon
| or that is done me. | need not question
but at the same tins that / accept the
honor from you and from the convention
| feel that the duties and responsibilities OF
| Il IL -
sometimes il is understood that this parti-
cular..ofice, that Of Vice-P President, does not
involve much responsibility, and as a gen
eral thing that is So but sometimes ii
comes to represent very great responsible
tiles, and it may so be in the near future,
! for at this time the Senate cf the United
States stands almost equally divided be-
tween the two great parties, and it may be
that those two great parties shall so ex-
actly differ that the Vice-President of the
United States shall have to decide upon
questions of law by the exercise of the cast
ing vote A oplause.1 The responsibility
would then become very great. 1t would
not then be the responsibility of represent
| ing a State or district 1t would be the
responsibility of representing 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
to the just expectations and requirements
of the people of the United States. 1t
might be, gentlemen, that upon another oc-
casion a great responsibility would attach
| to this office. 1t might occur that under
circumstances of some dificulty-I don't
think it will be next election, but it may,
occur under circumstances OF some difficulty
that the president of the Senate will
have to take his part in the counting of the
cleo toral vote, and allow me say that the
duty is not to be discharged in obedience
| to any set of men or any party, but in obe-
6ienee TO higher authority. Gentlemen
you have referred to the fact that | am
honored by this nomination in a very
special degree. | accept the suggestion
that in this candidacy | will represent the
right of the people to choose their own
rulers. That right is above all; that lies be-
meath ALL If they are denied the right to
choose their own officers, according to their
own Judgment, what shall become of the
rights of the people? What shall be-
come of free government? If the people
select not their officers how shall they con
troll the laws, their administration and their
execution? so that in suggesting that in
this candidacy / represent that right Of the
people, as you have suggested, great hon.
or has devolved upon me by the confidence
of the convention. As soon as it may be
convenient and possible to do so l will ad-
dress you more formally in respect to the
letter you have given. me. thank you, gen.
tlemen.
At the close of Mr.. Hendricks remarks
hearty applause was given, and he was in
troduced to each member of the committee |
and general Misunderstanding followed, after |
which the people paid their respects to Mr.. |
Hendricks and then quietly dispersed.