River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-06-26
Republican Campaign Notes.

June II was fixed upon by the com
mittee appointed by the national con-
-vention to notify James G.. Blaine Of his
nomination to the presidential candi-
dacy of the Republican party.
Promptly at IL o'clock the committee pro-
ceeded in body to Mr. Blaines residence,
and were received by Mrs. Blaine. As the
day was oppressiyely hot and the rooms OF
the mansion crowded almost to suffocation,
it was suggested that the presentation be
made upon the lawn. Accordingly the COM
mittee and guests proceeded to well-shaded
portion of the grounds, where a semicircle
was formed and all present stood with UNI
covered heads, making it an impressive
scene. The rustling of the spreading
branches of the great elms and the buzzing
of insects were the only sounds to disturb
the stiffness When all was in readiness Mr.
Blaine was escorted to the lawn, where he
stood within the are of the semieircle
CHAIRMAN HENpERsoN's ADDRESS.
Gen Henderson then stepped forward and
presented the ADDRESS OF the committee, read
ing from manuscript He spoke as follows;
Mr. Blaine, your nomination for the Office Of
president of the United States by the national
Republican convention, recently assembled az
Chicago is already known to you. The gentle
men before You, constituting the committee COM
posed of one member from each state and terri
tory in the country and one from the District OF
Columbia, have now come as the accredited organ
of that conventional give You formal notice OF
the nomination and to request your acceptance
thereof. 1t is, of course, known To You that Pc
side your own several other names among the
most houored in the councils OF the Republican
party We're presented by their friends as eandl-
dates for this nomination, Between your friends
and the friends of the gentlemen so justly EMU
tied TO the respect and confidence OF thelr poll1-
zeal associates the contest was one or generous
rivalry, free from any faint of bitterness, anu
free trOru reproach or In justice Al an carry Stage
of the proceedings of the convention Ii became
manifest that Republican states, whose AID must
be invoked at last TO insure success to the ticket,
earnestly desired your nomination. IL was
equally manifest that the desire so earnestly cN-
pressed bv the delegates from those states was
but the fruitful reflection OF an irresistible pop
Mar demand 1t was not thought nor pretended
that this demand had it's origin in any ambi-
tious desire of your own, or IN the organized
work of your friends; but it was recognized TO
be what it truthfully is--the spontaneous eN-
preston by a free people of the love and admir-
alton for
THEIR CHOSEN LEADER.
No nomination would have given satisfaction
to every member OF the party. This is not 10 be
expected in a country so extended in area and so
varied in interests. The nomination OF Lincoln
in $50 disappointed so many hopes and over
threw so many cherished ambitious that for a
short time disaffection threatened 10 ripen into
open revolt. In 1872 the discomfort was pro-
nounced as to lmpel large masses of the party to
organize in opposition to its nominees. For
many weeks after the nomination OF Garfleld IN
1850, defeat seemed inevitable, In each case
the shock OF disappointment was followed
by sober second Thought, ana mdiVluual
preference gradually yielded to the conviction of
public duty The prompttngs OF patriotism
finally rose superior to the irritations and ami
mosities of the hour. The party in every trial
has grown stronger in the face of danger. 1t
gives us pleasure to remember those great meas
ures which furnished causes for party congratu-
lation by the late convention at Chicago and
which are now crystallized into the legislation OF
the country; measures which nave strengthened
and dignifed the nation, and while they have
elevated and advanced the people, have at all
times and ON all proper occasions received your
earnest and valuable support. II was your good
fortune to aid in protecting the nation against
the assaults of armed treason; You were present
and helped to unloose the shackels OF the slaves.
You assisted in placing new guarantee OF free
dom in federal institutions Your voice was
potent in preserving the national talth when
false theories of finance would have blasted ma
ttonal and indy idual prosperity. we kindly
remember You as the fast friend OF honest
money, commercial integrity IN all that pertains
TO the security and repose OF capital ana the
dignity of labor, the
ELEVATION OF MANHOOD,
freedom of the people the right OF the oppressed
to demand and the duty of the government TO
afford protection. Your public acts have re-
ceived the unqualified endorsement OF popular
approval but we are not unnindful OF the fact
that parties, like individuals, cannot i've en-
tireiy on the past, however splendid the record.
The present is ever charged with immediate
cares, and the future presses IN with us new
dates and its perplexing responsibilities FAR
ties like indisiduals however, that are free from
stain of violated faith in the past are fairly en-
titled to the presumption OF sincerity III tilelE
promises for the future. Among the promises
made by the party in its last convention at
Chicago, are economy in administration; pro-
lection of citizens, native and nSuralized at
home and abroad prompt restoration OF the
navy: wise reduction of surplus revenues, re-
iieving the taxpayer without in]urlng tne
labOrer' the preservation OF the puDlc lands lor
actual settlers; import duties, when necessary
at ALL to be levied, not Tor reVe-
nue. only but for the double pur~
pose of revenue and protection; regulatlon
of interstate commerce; settlement OF lnterna-
tional differences by peaceful arbitration, but
coupled with the reassertion and maintenance
of the Monroe doctrine, interpreted by the
fathers of the republic: perseverance in the good
work of civil service reform TO the end that lhe
dangers to free institution which lurk IN the
power of official patronage be wisely and elect
lively avoided; honest currency based on COIN OF
intrinsic value, adding strength to the pubic
credit and giving renewed vitality to every
branch of American industry. Mr. Blame dur
ing the last twenty-three years the Republican
PARTY has builded new republic, a republic Tar
more splendid than originally designed by our
fathers. As its proportions are already grand,
they may yet be enlarged: its foundations may
yet be strengthened and its columns adorned
with beauty more Respondent still To you, as
its architect in chief, will soon be assigned this
grateful work.
MR.. BLAINE's RESPONSE
Blaine listened to Gen. Hendcrson's adj
dress, standing under an elm tree with his
arms folded on his chest and hiseyes usually
cast down, but at times wandering about
scanning the faces of the audience. When
Mr. Henderson had concluded speaking,
Walker, the candidates son, stepped forward
and handed his father the manuscript of the
address in reply to that of the committee.
Mr.. Blaine then read as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the National
Committee. ] receive not without deep sensi-
billty your official notice of the action of the
tional convention, already brought to my knowl-
edge through the public press. l appreciate
more profoundly than / can express the honor
which is implied in the nomination for the pres
sdency by the Republican party of the nation,
ipeal1ing through the authoritative voice of duly
accredited delegates. 70 be selected as a candi-
date by such an assemblage from the
list of eminent statesmen whose names
were presented fills me with EN-
baTrassmcnt. / can only express my graft
tude for so signal an honor and my desire to
prove worthy of the great trust reDosed in me.
In accepting the nomination as ] now do, l am
impressed am also oppressed, with sense of
the labor and responsibility which attaches TO
my position. The burden is lightened how
ever, by the host of earnest men who support
my candidacy, many of whom add, as does Your
honorable committee, the cheer of personal
friendship to the pledge OF political realty a
more formal acceptance will naturally be eX
pected and will, in due season, be cOmmunt-
Gated. 1t may not, however be Inappropriate TO
this time TO say that l have made a careful study
of the principles announced by the ma
tional convention, and that in whole
and detail they have my heartfelt sympathy
and meet my unqualified approval. Apart
from your official errand, gentleman, | am ex-
tremely happy to welcome YOU all to my house.
With many of you have already shared the du-
ties of public service and have enjoyed most
cordial friendship. / trust that Your journey
from all parts of the great republic has been
agreeable and that during your stay in Maine
you will feel that you are not among strangers,
but among friends Invoking the blessings OF
God upon the great cause which we jointly rep
resent, let ms turn to the future without fear
and with manly heart.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Blaine's reply
the members of the committee were intro
duced to him individually and an hour was
spent in social and informal converse. The
members of the committee then repaired to
the residence of Col Osgood where they