Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-06-29
GROWERS SPEECH.

Last Tuesday when notified of his
nomination by the st. Louis conven-
ton, President Cleveland delivered
the following address. Comment is
unnecessary as every line speaks fol
itself:
~ can not but be profoundly i'm
pressed when | see about me the mes
scngers of the national democracy
bearing its summons TO duty. The
political party to which | owe allie
/ eiance both hOnOrs and commands
me; it places in my hands its proud
standard and bids me bear it high al
the front in battle which it wages
bravely because conscious of right
confidently because its trust is in the
people, and sobcrly because IL com
prehends the Obligations which sue
cess imposes. The message which
you bring awakcns within me the
lveliest sense of personal gratitude
and satisfaction, and the honor which
You tender me is in itself such that
there might well be no room for any
other sentiment, and yet | cannot rid
myself of grave and serious thoughts
when / remember that the party SUI
premacy is not alone involved in the
conflict which presses on us, but that
we struggle TO secure and save the
cherished institutions, the welfare
and happiness of a nation of freemen.
Familiarity with the great office
which l hold has but added 10 my
apprehension of its sacred character
and the conservation demanded of
him who holds its immense response
bilitics. II is the repository of the
peoples will and the power within
its vision should be its protection
and zeal for the welfare of the hum
blest citizen, and with quick car it
should catch from the remotest cor
ner of the land the plea Of the people
for Justice and for right. For the
sake of the people, he who holds this
Office of theirs should resist every EN-.
croachment upon its legitimate func.
tions, and for the sake of the integri-
ty and usefulness of the office II
should be kept near TO the people,
and be administered in full sympa-
thy with their wants and needs.
This occasion reminds me most
wildly of the scene when, four years
ago, | 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 inc
feeling of awe with which | heard
the summons then is intensified
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 be-
ongcd, and become n perversion of
III II ought to be, but | did not know |
low lis movings had already been
oosed. l knew four years ago how
veil devised were the principles of
rue democracy for the successful
peration of government by the
'eople and for the people, but | did
ot know how absolutely necessary
heir application then was for the
estorstion to the people of their
afety and prosperity. knew then
hat abuses and exlravagances had
rept into the management of public |
fairs, but | did not know their |
forms, nor the tenacity OF
heir grasp. knew then something
If the bitterness of partisan obstruc-
ion, but did not know how bitter,
low reckless and how shameless it
could be. | knew then that the
people were patriotic and
nsi. but | did not know how grand
y they loved their country, nor how
noble and generous they were.
hall not dwell upon the acts and the
policy of the administration now
TO is close. The record is
open to every citizen of the land, and
yet I will not be denied the privilege
of asserting at this time that, in the
exercise of the functions of the high
trust confled 10 me, have yielded
obedience only 10 the constitution
and the solemn obligation of my oath
of office. | have done those things
which in the light of the understand
ing God has given NE seemed most
conductive to the welfare of my
and the promotion of
good government. wolld not, If /
could, for myself nor for you, avoid
single consequence of fair inter-
probation of my course. 1t but re-
mains for me 10 say 10 you, and
through you to the democracy of the
nation, that | accept the nomination
with which they have honored me,
and that / will in due time signify
such acceptance in the usual formal
manner.