Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-06-06
PATRICK A. COLLINS.

PATRICK A. COLLINS. Speech of Gen. Patrick A. Collins on taking the chair of the convention.
 To stand by your favor in this place so often filled by the foremost men in our great party is a distinction of the highest character and an honor for which am profoundly grateful.
 In performing the delicate and difficult service to which you have assigned me l can scarcely hope to justify the wisdom of your choice. shall at all times need continu- ance of your indulgence and courtesy as we'll as your full cooperation, to promote order, ,decorum and good will until these pro- cAedings are brought to happy close.
 We represent in this convention, more pie. We bear their commission to act for them and their injunction to act with all the wisdom that God has given us to pro- tect and safeguard the institutions of the republic as the fathers founded them.
 In time when the world was king rid den and pauperized by the privileged few, when men scarcely dared to breathe the word Liberty if they understood its meaning-the people scattered along our CT equalled, broke from all traditions, re- jected all known systems and established the political wonder of the ages-the Amer ican Republic.
 The American Republic, the child of rev. olution, nursed by philosophy! the hand that framed the immortal Declaration of Independence is the hand that guided the emancipated country to progress and glory. It is the hand that guides us still in our on- ward march as free and progressive peo- pie. The principles upon which our Gov ernment can securely rest, upon which the peace, prosperity and liberty of the people depend, are the principles of the founder of our party, the apostle of Democracy Thomas Jefferson.
 Our young men under thirty have heard more in their time of the clash of arms and the echoes of war than of the principles or government. It had been a period of pas sion, force, impulse and emotionali polite. 50 that we need not wonder that now and then we hear the question asked ane scarcely answered.: "What difference is is there between the two parties Every Democrat knows the difference. The dem ocratic creed was not penned by Jefferson for . section or a class of the people. but for all. Not for day, but for all time These principles conserved and expanded the republic in all its better days. A strict adherence to them will preserve it to the end. So the Democracy of to day, as i1 the past, believe with Jefferson:
 l. Equal and exact justice to >all men of whatever state or persuasion, religion or political.
 2. Peace, commerce and honest frend ship with all nations, entangling alliance with none.
 3. Support of the State governments il all their rights as the most competent ad ministrators of our domestic concerns an the surest bulwark against anti-Republi can tendencies.
 4. The preservation of the General Gov ernment in it's whole constitutional vigol as the sheet anchor of our peace and safet
 6. A jealous care of the right of electio by the people, . mild and safe correctly of abuses which are Topped off by the swor of revolution where peaceable means art nnprovided.
 6. Absolute acquiescence in the decis ions of the majority, the vital principle c a republic, from which there is no appea but to force, the vital principle and imme diatc parent of despotism.
 '. A we'll disciplined militia, our bes reliance in peace and for the first moment
 8. The supremacy of the civil over tn military authority.
 Q. Economy in the public expense, ths labor may be lightly burdened.
 10. The honest payment of our deb, and the preservation of our public faith.
 II. Encouragement of agriculture an of commerce as ltS nanQmalO.
 12. The diffusion of information and al raipnment of all abuses at the bar of publ1 reason.
 13. Freedom of religion.
 IA. Freedom of the press.
 15. Freedom of the person under th protection of the habeas corpus.
 16. Trial by juries impartially selected
 Add to these golden economic rule ths no more taxes should be levied upon th people in any way than are necessary { meet the honest expenses of .goyernmeI and you have body of principles to si