Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-07-31
CUMMINGS ON oLEpELARD.

Address by tho Eloquent Massa-
cAuselts MAN who Seconded MIR.
Bay yara's Nomination nc Chfcngo.
At an entertainment and banquet ten
dered the Massachusetts delegates to the
national Democratic convention, by the
Bay State Club, In Boston, Saturday
week, Hon. John W. Cummings, the
gentleman who so ably seconded the
nomination Of Senator Baysrd at Chicago
(making one Of the three great speeches
Of the convention, the other two being by
Hooker and Coohrsne) spoke as follows /:
Mr.. Cummings said that Whatever
might be the result Of the election hs
could say that the delegation lsborad
faithfully and honestly with view to
serving the best interests Of the party
and Of the country. Tney were not
moved by malice nor disturbed by state
quarrels, but went on from the opening
session to the closing hour TO do the De-
mooraoy honor II they could, but at least
TO do them Justice. $50 long as the
Democratic party proceeds, respecting its
traditions and honest prejudioest just so
long will /, in oommon-if I may speak
for them-with the young Democrats OF
this state and of others, follow It un-
flinchingly and fearlsssly, no matter
what the result may be. rApplause. /
was promted to take the platform Of the
national convention and speak my con-
victions, because they were pressing Sc
verely and sorely upon me. / took the
platform 10 stand against the plea for
success In favor Of the plea for the might
OF Democracy and principle. II is good
Democracy to defer to the majority. It
is good Democracy to adhere tenaciously
to principles. II they conflict, am
ready to believe that the principles
which comes uppermost In my mind,
from my humble Judgment, is incorrect
and entirely wrong when the majority
speak against 1t. And why l fought
the candidate that now heads the ticket
because 1t seemed to me to be the highest
plea urged for him that he could win,
which was not enough for me. Still,
deferred to the judgment of that great
convention. deferred TO the deliberate
and solemn council there held, and /
say that you will take up the nomination
that has been given to us, will fight for
the Democratic party, and try and restore
the nation to honest government under
Grover Cleveland's leadership and admin
istration. lLoud and prolonged cheers ]
We were ready to continue the fight,
and we are yet. We believe that
there were great many men whose
names were prominent before that con-
vention that would unquestionably knit
this state into the Democratic states of
the Union, and We asked the convention
lot only i'll the name of the nation and
for the sake OF great party, but in the
name OF Massachusetts, and for the sake
of the Democrats Of Mass saohusstts, to give
IS a man who would not create internal
disseneion, but who would unite theparty,
and would insure the state for the Demo.
Gratis. 1t WAS with that purpose and with
that end in view that we called for an
other name. But wiser counsels pre-
vailed. They knew our state as we'll as
we knew 1t ourselves, II not better, and
they said "Undsr this leadership we
can win and hold the state" accepted
their judgment. hope 1t was a prophetic
one. For one. am anxious TO make It
SO. [Applsuse.l