The Washington critic., 1888-06-27
THE PRESIDENTS RESPONSE
what He Said in Accepting the Nom
ination Yesterday.

What He Said in Accepting the Nom
ination Yesterday.
cannot bnt be profoundly impressed when
| see about me the messengers Of the National
Democracy, bearing its summons to duty.
The political party to which ! owe allegiance
both honors and commands me. IL places in
my hand its proud standard and bids me bear
II high at the front, in battle which It
wages, bravely because conscious of right,
confidently because its trust is in the people,
and soberly because IL Comprehends the o6ll-
cations which success imposes
within me the llyelest sense of personal
gratitude and satisfaction, and the honor
which you tender me is in itself so great that
sentiment. And yet cannot rid my myself i''oi Of
grave and serious thoughts when I remember
that party supremacy Is not alone involved
IN the conflict which presses upon us, but
that we, struggle TO secure and save the
cherished institutions, the welfare and the
happiness Of nation of freemen.
Familiarity with the great office which
sacred character and the consideration de.
manded Of him who assumes its immense re-
sponsibilities. IL Is the repository of the peo-
s a snd wp nfara ts ysl2n sn4aa
citizen; and with quick ear II should catch
from the remotest corner of the land the plea
Of the people for Justice and for right. For
sake OF the people, he who holds this Office
of theirs should resist every encroachment
upon its legitimate functions; and for the
sake OF the integrity and usefulness OF the
Office IL should be kept near to the people
and be administered In full sympathy with
their wants and needs.
This occasion reminds me most wildly 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, | can truly say that the feeling
OF awe with which heard the summons then
now.
-Four years ago knew that our chief ex.
eoutiye office, II not carefully guarded, might
drift little by little away from the people to
whom 10 belonged and become perversion
of all II ought to be; but did not know how
much Its .moorings had already been loos-
ened. i knew four years ago how well de-
for the successful operation of government
by the people and for the people, but
/ did not know how absolutely nee.
sSssary their application then was fGI
safety and prosperity. I knew then that
abuses and e1travaganoes had crept into
the management Of public affairs, but did
not know, their numerous forms nor the
| tenacity Of their grasp. ! knew then some
! thing Of the bitterness Of partisan obstruc
tion,, but / did not know how bitter, how
knew, too, that the American people were
srandiy they ioved their country, nor how how
| noble and generous they were.
! shall not dwell upon the acts and the
| policy of the Administration now drawing tC
hs close. Its record is open to every either
| of the land.
And yet will not be denied the privilege
| of asserting at this time, that in the exercise
| of the functions Of the high trust confded to
ne, have yielded obedience only to the Con
stitution and the solemn Obligation Of my
| oath of office. i have done those things
| which, In the light of the understanding God
| has given me, seemed most conducive to thu
welfare OF my countrymen and the promotion
| of good government. would not II i could
| for myself nor for you, avoid a single conse
| quence of fair Interpretation of my course
through you to the Democracy of the Nation
| that accept the nomination with which the,
have honored me, and that will in due tim
signify such acceptance In the usual forma
| manner,