The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-07-05


An engrossed copy of that platform,
adopted without dissenting voice, is
herewith rendered you. In conveying
sir, to YOU the responsible trust which
has been Confded to them, this com
mittee beg, individually and coIlec-
lively, to express the greatest pleasure
which they have felt at the results at
tending the National Convention OF
the Democratic party.and offer to you
their best wishes for official and per-
sonal success and happiness. We have
the honor, sir, TO Be your obedient
servants, ....
Alabama, John H. Caldwell; Arkansas,
w. d. English; California, Cassmvro
Barreda; Connecticut, w. H. Bar
mum; Georgia, John Triplett
Illinois, John S. Ewing ;
Indiana, A. w. Conduit; Iowa, w.
". Baldwin; Kansas, S. T. Neel f;
Kentucky, Charles D. Jacob ;
Louisiana, John Fitzpatrick; Name,
r. W. Black; Maryland, W. 5.
Wilson Massachusetts, Charles
d. Lewis; Michigan, Thomas F.
Gary; Mississippi, John Ludwig,
Missouri, Jasper n. Burk; Nevada,
John s. Moore; New Hampshire, G..
Byron Chandler; New Jersey,
Solomon Scherr; North Carolina,
T. W. Strange; Ohio M, n Ream !;
Oregon, Ms. Helman; Pennsylvania,
r. S. Patterson ; Rhode Island, Isaac
Bell; Texas, W. H Page; Virginia,
Basil Gordon; Vermont, J. D. Han
nah District of Columbia, William
Dickson.
Mr.. Thomas Petit, secretary of the
handed the President a
handsomely engros5ed copy of the
platform upon which he was nominated.
The President bowed his acknowledge
ment. Standing erect with his head
thrown back, with but few gestures,
but with an earnestness that was i'm
pressive and an enunciation that was
deliberate and clear, he replied. The
audience drank in each word as it
slowly flowed from his lips. He said
MR.. CLEvELAND's RESPONSE.
81 cannot but be profoundly i'm
pressed when | see about me mes
sengers of the National Democracy
bearing the summons. to duty. TIE
political party to which owe allegiance
but honors and commands me. 1t
places in my hand its proud stand
ard and bids me bear it high at front
in a battle which it wages bravely be-
cause, conscious of the right. conf
IDENTIFY because its trust is in the peo-
pie and soberly because it compre-
hends obligations which success i'm
poses. [Applause.] The message
which you bring awakens within nae
the liveliest sense of personal gratitude
and satisfaction, and the honor which
YOU tender me is in itself SO great
there might be no room for any other
yet | cannot rid myself OF
grave and serious thoughts when | re-
member that party supremacy is not
alone involved in the conflict which
presses upon US, but that we struggle
to secure and save cherished institu-
tions, the welfare and happiness of
a nation of freemen. Familiarity with
the great office which | hold has but
added to my apprehension of its sacred
character, and the conservation de-
manded of him who assumes its i'm
mense responsibilities. 1t is the re-
po,itory of the people, will and power.
Within its division should be the pro-
lection and welfare of the humblest
citizen and with quick ear it should
catch from the renlotest corner Of the
land the plea of the people he who
holds this office should resist every en-
croachment upon its legitimate func-
tions, and for the sake Of the integrity
and usefulness of the office it should be
kept near to. the people and be ad-
ministered in full sympathy with their
wants and needs,
This occasion reininds me. most
vividly Of the scene when, four years
ago, l received a message from my
party similar to that which you now
deliver. With all that has passed since
that day, I can truly say that the feel.
ing of awe with which | heard the sum.
mons then is intensified many told
when it is repeated now. -Four year:
ago, knew that your chief Executive
office, if not carefully guarded, nigh
drift little by little away from the peo
pie to whom it belonged, and become
a perversion of all it ought to be, bu
| did not know how much its mooring
had already been loosened. ! knew
four years ago how we'll devised wer
the principles of true Democracy 70
the successful operation of govern
ment by the people and for the people
but did not known how absolutely nee
cessary their application then was 70
the restoration to the people of thei
safety and prosperity. | knew the
that the abuses and extravaganza ha
Crept into the management OF publ
affairs, but did not know their Eumt
rous forms nor tenaCity OF their graSI
| knew then something OF bitterness {
partisan obstruction, but | did NJ
know how bitter, how reckless, an
how shameless it could be. I kne
~