The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-07-04

that without ballot you were By accIa
nation chosen the standard-bearer ot
the Democratic party for Chief Execu
tive of this country at the election to be
held in November next. Great as i:
such distinction under any circum
stances, it is more hattering and pro.
found when it is remembered that you
have been selected as your own success,
sor to al Office, the duties of which,
always onerous, have been rendered oil
an extraordinary sensitive, difficult and
delicate nature, because of the change OF
political parties and methods after
twenty-four years of uninterrupted
domination. This exaltation is, if pos.
sible, added to by the fact that the
declaration of principles, based upon
your last annual message to the Con
gress of the United States relative tc
tariff reduction and diminution of the
expenses of the Government, throws
down a direct and defiant challenge fol
an e1acting scrutiny OF the administra-
tion of executive power, which four
years ago was committed in its trust tc
the execution of Grover Cleveland,
President of the United States, and fol
the most searching inquiry concerning
the fidelity and devotion to the pledges
which then invited the suffrages of the
people.
An engrossed copy OF that platform,
adopted without dissenting voice, is
herewith rendered to you.
In conveying, sir, to you the responsible
trust which has been con6ded to them,
this committee beg, Individually and col
lectively. to express the great pleasure
which the ey have felt at the results attend
ing the National Convention of the
Democratic party, and to offer to you
their best wishes for official and personal
success and happiness. We have the
honor, sir, to be your obedient servants.
(Signed by all the members of the COM
mittee.)
Mr.. Thomas S. Petit, secretary of the
notification committee, then presented
Mr.. Cleveland with a handsomely en-
crossed copy of the platform adopted at
the National Democratic Convention.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
The President then said:
"Iconnot but be profoundly impressed
when gee about me the messengers of
the National Democracy bearing Its sum
mons to duty. The political party to
which 1 owe allengisnce both honors and
commands me. It places in my hand its
proud standard, and bids me bear it high
at front in a battle which it wages bravely,
because, conscious of right, confidently
because its trust is in the people. and
soberly because it comprehends the OBJ
legations which success imposes.
'sThe 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 so 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 inyol-
we'd in the conflict which presses upon
us, but that we struggle to secure and
save the cherished institutions, the
welfare and happiness of nation OF
freemen. Familiarity with the great
office which l hold has but added to my
apprehension OF its sacred character and
the conservation demanded of him who
assumes its immense responsibilities. Il
is the repository of the peoples will and
power. Within its vision should be the
protection and welfare of the humblest
citizen; and with quick ear it should catch
from the remotest corner of the land the
the plea Of the people for justice and for
justice and for right.
"For the sake of the people he who
holds this Office OF theirs should resist
every encroachment on its legitimate
functions, and for the sake of the integri-
ty and usefulness of the Office it should
be kept near to the people and be admin
istered in full sympathy with their wants
and needs.
ssThis occasion reminds me most yividly
of the scene when, four years ago, [
received message from my party similar
to that which you now deliver. With
all that has passed since that day can
truely say that the feeling of awe with
which I heard the summons then is in
tensifed many fold when it is repeated
now.
"Four years ago knew that our chief
executive Office, if not carefully guarded,
might drift little by little away from the
people to whom it belonged and become
the perversion of all it ought to be; but
I did not know now much its moorings
had already been loosened. I knew four
years ago how we'll devised were the true
principles OF true Democracy for the
successful operation of government by
the people and for the people, but [ did
not know how absolutely necessary their
their application then was for the resto-
ration to the people of their safety and
prospeity. I knew then that abuses and
extravagances had creptinto the manage
ment of public affairs, but did not know
their numerous forms nor the tenacity
of their grasp.
81 knew then something of the bitter
ness of partisan obstruction, but l did
not know how bitter, how reckless and
how shameless it could be. [Prologed ap-
plause.
81 knew, too, that the American people
were patriotic and just, but I did not
know how grandly they loved their
country, nor how noble and generous
they were.
'si shall not dwell upon the acts and
the policy of the Administration now
drawing to a close. Its record is open
to every citizen OF the land. And yet l
will not be denied the privilege Of assert
ing at this time that, in the exercise OF
the high trust confded to me, [ have
yielded obedience only to the Constitu.