The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-07-18
SECOND DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

bard raped for order and intro iuced the
Right Rev. DR.. McLaren, d. D., Bishop of
Chicago. The chai man requested that the
audience rise as the venerable gentleman
arose and repeated the Lords prayer. 1t was
a striking scene, 13, 600 people on their feet,
with heads bowed in reverence, while in low
and impressive tones the bishop followed by
invoking the blessing of God upon the pro-
ceedings and prayed for the blessings of the
Almighty to rest upon the country and upon
the nominee of the convention.
PRESENTATIONS OF PETITIONS.
Petitions were presented asking for hear
ing for Irish national league; denouncing
the labor convict system; favoring the eight
hour law and labor statistic bureau; reduc-
tion of taxation to revenue
basis; against polygamy; against the
acquisition of large tracts of public
lands by corporations; for reform in the civil
service by making postmasters elective; for a
systematic reduction of taxes; providing that,
in case of the death of candidates for Presi-
dent or Vice-President, the chairman shall call
together the convention again to fill the va
cancy; for the repeal of all legislation which,
under Republican rule, has tended to pauper-
ize labor; for constitutional amendment
making the presidential term of office six
years, and to limit the disposal of the public
lands to actual settlers in quantities of not
more than 160 acres each. Finally a resolu-
tion was adopted to refer all such propositions
without being read. Under that rule several
anti-Chinese and tariff reform resolutions
were referred, being only read by their titles.
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
The report Of the committee on permanent
organization was then made. The name of
w. +. Villas of Wisconsin, being presented as
president, with list of vice-presidents (one
from each State) and several secretaries and
assistants, it was ordered that the secretaries
and clerks of the temporary organization be
continued under the permanent organization.
The report was unanimously adopted, and
Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana; w. w.
Armstrong, of Ohio; w. II. Parsons, of Geor
gia John A. Henderson, of Texas; John A.
Day, of Missouri; William Sparks of Illinois,
and Smith Nj. Weed, of New York, were ap-
pointed to escort Colonel Villas to the chair.
COLONEL Villas TAXES THE CHAIR
Loud cheers greeted the appearance Of Mr.,
Villas upon the platform. When quiet had
been partially restored Mr.. Hubbard, the
temporary chairman, introduced the elected
permanent chairman in the following words:
Gentlemen of the Convention: have the
honor to introduce to you the Hon. Mr.. Villas,
of Wisconsin loud applause as the elected
unanimously yelected-permanent president OF
your body. loud applause.) Thanking you
most kindly for the courtesy and the atten-
invoke it for him who will need it much less
than have needed it." loud and long con-
tinued applause)
Mr.. Villas on assuming the chair made q
long address. He said
Gentlemen of the National Democracy: l
know full well that this mark of your favor
is no personal compliment but is recogni-
tion Of the young Democracy of the North
western States. loud applausel And
claim it to be justly their due loud applause)
as q tribute to their lofty zeal and patriotism,
their long and gallant struggle against an out
numbering foe, and their great and growing
numbers applause, and hail it as presage
and prototype of their coming triumphs.
"You are assembled to consider great
cause, to pronounce most momentous Judg-
ment Your hand is on the helm of a mighty
nation of free men. Fifty-ive millions OF
freemen who are, and one hundred millions
who soon will be, our nation-earths great
est free society-will rejoice in the well-con-
sidered work of this convention. (Applause),
Its import and value lie not in mere partisan
success-in touching the spoils of Office. Its
a nobler opportunity. The hour is pregnant
with mighty possibilities of good TO men.
iberty-constitutiona liberty -strangling in
the surf of corruption, injustice, and favorit-
ism, cries aloud for resuscitation
"An Assem- olage of politicians such as long
possession of unlicensed power creates, but
recently filled this hall with camor, and it is
said to have been too well manufactured to
have been the product of infant industry
ihof navy shSh P,A
poses, and they claim the Submission of the
country as if it were theirs to command.
How have they met the just expectation OF
this intelligent people. Like some corpora
tions which have hourished under their aus
pices they have issued watered stock OF
promises laughter) and every one confes
sion. They have promised redress only OF
disorders they have themselves communi
Gated to the body polite Laughter and ap
plause.) They protier the infectlon TO CURE
the disease. QI4aughter.) They have rendered
nothing adequate or worthy to the fervent
aspirations and high hopes of this patriotic
people.
To country which rejoices in restored
unity and concord they tender the renewal o
sectional strife. TOT nation which feels th'
impulse of a mighty growth and yearns fol
leadership in noble prosperity they oher tho
inspiration of national calamity and misfor
tune. To proud and sensitive people, de
manding deliverance from dishonoring cor
ruption, demanding decency in the selection
and cleanliness in the holding of their publi
stations they offer the gilded arts OF skilfu
damagogery, (Applause,) To the generou
ardor of youth nobly ambitious to achieve
! freeman's manhoodS they profer the elevat
ing sentiments of the party machine, To tn
men of toll seeking only opportunity to eail
a free mans livelihood they say: Be you
masters villains and you shln have bread
'1he burden of thsir campaign is alread,
ma 10 manifest Shouting, and, in commo