Huntsville gazette., 1888-06-16

courtesy tAteu(i- tiIIlTNllY mn mn ~
ed to him, introduced IlbNKEA I'M tjT%
his successor; and it Nlp\NY m M
was renewed while two IVY VI
of the Tennessee dele Gen. Patrick A. Collins
gates carried upon the platform a framed Wig
nette Of the coat Of arms of that State with
pictures of the President and Mrs. Cleveland,
the whole surmounted by a beautiful floral
wreath.
Quiet was at last restored, and then, while
the convention listened in silence and with
watchful attention, the Boston Congressman
spoke in substance as follows
After expressing his sense of the high honor
conferred upon him, Mr.. Collins alluded to the
important duty and responsibility devoving
upon the convention as representing the prin-
ciples of more than thirty million of the Ameri-
can people. He continued: THE hand that
framed the immortal Declaration of Independ-
ence, and guided the emancipated country to
progress and glory, is the hand that guides us
still in our onward march as a free and pro-
gressive people. The principles upon which
our Government can securely rest, upon which
the peace, prosperity and liberties of the people
depend, are the principles of the founder Of our
party, the Apostle Of Democracy-ThomasJ JEFF
ferson. The Democracy of to-day, as in the
past. believe with Jefferson in:
First. Equal and exact justice to all men, of
whatever state or persuasion, religious and
political.
Second. Peace, commerce, and honest friend
ship with all nations, entangling alliances with
none.
Third. Support of the State governments in
all their rights, as the most competent admin
istrators of our domestic concerns, and the
sureSt bulWark against anti-republcaG seCdeE-
cieS.
Fourth. The preservation of Che general Gov
ernment in its whole constitutional vigor, as
the sheet-anchor Of our peace and safety
abroad.
Fifth. A jealous care of the right OF election
by the people, mild and safe corrective OF
the abuses which are Topped off by the sword
Of revolution where peaceable means are un-
provided.
Sixth. Absolute aquiescence in the decisions
of the majority, the vital principles Of repub-
lies, from which there is no appeal but to
force the vital principle and immediate parent
of despotism.
Seventh. A well-dsciplined militia, our best
reliance in peace and for the first moments
in war.
Eighth. The supremacy Of the civil over the
military authorities.
Ninth. Economy in public expenses, that
labor may be lightly burdened.
Tenth. The honest payment Of our debts and
the preservation of our public faith.
Eleventh. Encouragement of agriculture and
of commerce as its handmade.
Twelfth. The diffusion of information and
arraignment Of all abuses at the bar Of public
reason.
Thirteenth Freedom of religion. ~
Fourteenth. Freedom of the press.
Fifteenth. Freedom of the person under the
protection of the habeas corpus.
Sixteenth. Trial by juries impartially Sc
lected.
Add to these the golden economical rule that
no more taxes should be levied upon the peo-
pie in any way than are necessary to meet the
honest expenses of the Government, and you
have a body of principles to sin against which
has been political death to every party hither-
to; to sin against which in the future will be
political suicide.
If this record seems prosac, if it lacks the
blcod-thrillng elements, if it is not lit with
lurid fires, if it can not be illustrated by apyro-
technic display if it is merely the plain record
of constitutional party in q time of peace, en-
gagged in administrative reforms, it is because
the people of the country four years ago elected
not to trust to sensation and experiment, how
ever brilliant and allurng but preferred to
place the helm in steady hands, with a fear
less, trustworthy patriotic man behind it,
Upon that record and upon our honest
efforts, yet incomplete, to reduce
and equaize the burdens OF taxa
ton, we enter the canvass and go to the
polls confident that the free and intelligent
people OF this great country VIII say: wen
DONE good and faithful servant"
To the patriotic, independent citizens who
four years ago, forsook their old allegiance and
came to our support, and who since that time
have nobly sustained the administration, the
Democratic party owes deep debt of gratitude
That they have been reviled and insulted by
their former associates is not only a signal
compliment to their character and influence,
but another evidence of the decadence Of the
Republican party. Blind worship of the
machine-a political Juggernaut-1S exacted
from every man who will take even standing
room in that party. The Democratic temple IS
open to all, and if in council we can not agree
in all things, our motto is: I'm essentials unity,
in non-essentials, in all things charity" To all
good men we say: Come in" Goodwill ne'er
halted at the door-ston AS four years ago
you voted with US to reform the administration,
to conserve our institutions, for the well-b
of our common country, so join with US again IN
approval Of the work so well accomplished. to
complete what remains undone.
We need not wait for time to do justice
to the character and services of President
Cleveland. Honest, clear-sighted, patient.
grounded in respect for law and justice,
with thorough grasp of principles and situa-
tions, with marvellous and conscientious indus
try, the very incarnation of firmness, he has
nobly fulfilled the promise of his party, nobly
met the expectations of his country, and writ
ten his name high on the scroll where future
Americans will read only the names OF men VINO
have been supremely useful to the Republic
Fellow Democrats: This is but the initial
meeting in political campaign destined TO pc
memorable 1t VIII be clashing OF nearly
equal forces. Let no man here or elsewhere