The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-06-27
CLEVELAND NOTIFIED
Formally of His Nomination by
the Democracy.
HIS SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE,
In which He Tells How He Didn't
Seek the omcc, But Says He is
willing to Sacrifice Himself
For Another -Four Years.

WASHINGTON, June 2G.-The Notif-
cation Committee, accompanied by the
members OF the National Democratic
Committee and the Columbia Demo-
cratic Club of the District Of Columbia,
met at the Arlington hotel at 1880
o'clock this afternoon, and forming into
pairs marched to the White House.
They were ushered into the east room
and ranged themselves in a circle in the
south end of the room. Palms filed all
the windows and alcoves in that portion
OF the room and potted plants decorated
the mantels. The President was noti-
fed OF their arrival and descended to
the east room accompanied by the fol-
lowing named persons: Rev. w. NJ. Clevt-
land, the Presidents brother, and wife, Of
Forestport, n. Y, Mrs. w. L. Hoyt, the
Presidents sister, OF Fayetteville, N. Y,
Mrs. Lannon's, Mrs. Bissell, OF Buffalo,
(all OF whom were present at the neti-
tication OF his first nomination.. Mrs.
Bayard, Mr. and Mrs. Fairchiid, Mr.. and
Mrs. Whitney, Mrs. Endicott, Mr.. Villas,
Mr.. and Mrs. Dickinson, Mr.. Benjamin
Folsom and Speaker Carlisle. Their ap.
proach was the signal for a general
clapping OF hands on the part OF tho
visitors and as soon as the party had
taken their places, Gen. Collins stepped
forward and addressed the President.
The President in reply said: can
not but be profoundly impressed when
see about me the messengers OF the Ma
tional Democracy, bearing its summons
to duty. The political party to which
owe allegiance both honors and COM
mands me. 1t places in my hands its
proud standard and bids me bear 1t high
Mt the front, in a battle which it wages
bravely, because conscious Of the right.
Confidently because its trust is in the
people and soberly because 1t compre-
hends the obligations which success inn
poses.
The message which you bring awakens
within me the liveliest sense OF personal
gratitude and satisfaction, and the honor
which you tender me is in itself 80 great
that there might well be no room for
any other sentiment, and yet ! cannot
rid myself OF grave and serious thoughts,
when remember that party supremacy
is not alone involved in the conflict
which presses upon us, but that we
struggle to secure and save the cherish
ed institutions the welfare and happiness
OF nation OF free men. Familiarity
with the great Office which hold has
but added to my apprehension OF its
sacred character, and the conservation
OF. him who assumes its immense re-
sponsibilities. 1t is the repository OF
the peoples will and power. Within
its vision should be the protection and
welfare ofthe humblest citizen, and with
quick merit should catch from the re-
motest corner OF the land the plea OF
the people for justice and for rights.
For the sake Of the people, he who holds
this office should resist every
encroachment upon its legitimate funC-
tions; and for the sake OF integrity and
usefulness OF the office, 1t should be
kept near to the people and be admins
istered in full sympathy with their
wants and needs.
The occasion reminds me most vivid
ly of the scene when four years ago re-
ceived 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, is in
tensiiied many fold when it is repeated
now. -Four years ago knew that our
Chief Executive Office, il not carefully
guarded, might drift little by little away
from the people to whom it be-
longed, and become perversion OF all
it ought to be; but did not know how
much its moorings had already been
loosened l knew. four years ago how
well advised were the principles Of true
Democracy for the successful operation
OF Government by the people, for the
people; but l did not know how abso.
lutely necessary their application then
was for the restoration to the peo-
pie OF their safety and prosperity. l
knew then that abuses and extrava-
gances had crept into the management
OF public affairs; but ] did not know
their numerous forms, nor the te-
nacity OF their grasp. | knew then
something OF the bitterness OF partisan
obstruction, but did not know how bit.
ter, how reckless and how shameless IL
could be. ] shall not dwell upon the.
acts and policy OF the administration
now drawing to close. Its record il
open to every citizen OF the land.
And yet, 1 will not be denied tho
privilege Of asserting at this time that in
the exercise Of the functions OF the high
trust confded to me, have Welded
obedience only to the constitution. and
thesolemn obligation OF my oath Of office.
| have done those things which, in tile
light Of the understanding God has given
me, seemed most conducive to the well
fare OF my countrymen and the promo
tion Of good government. would not
not, II could, for myself and for YOU.
avoid single consequence of fair in.
terpretatiOn OF my course.
1t but remains for me TO say to vou
and through you to the Democracy OF
the nation, that accept the nomination I
with which they have honored me anI
that will in due time signify such ac.
ceptance in the usual formal manner.
The Presidents remarks were made in
an earnest and emphatic manner md
were frequently interrupted byapDlanse
This closed the speech.making. and
then all present proceeded to the state
dining room and partook of LIGHT re.
freshments. Afterwards the committco
became the guests OF the Columbia Clnh
and were driven about the city.