The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-06-30
MIR. CLEVELAND NOTIFIED.
M. speech 10 The Committee.

cratic Committee and the Columbus Demo-
cratic Club of the District of Columbia, met
at the Arlington Hotel, Washington, d. c.,
on Tuesday afternoon, and forming into pairs
marched to the White House. They were
ushered into the East Room and ranged
themselves in circle in the south end of the
room. Palms filled all the windows and al
coves in that portion of the room. and potted
plants decorated the mantles- The President
was notified of their arrival and descended TO
the East Room, accompanied by the follow
ing named persons: Mrs. Cleveland, Rev.
William N. Cleveland, the President's brother
and wife, of Forestport, N. Y; Mrs. w. E.
Hoyt, the Presidents sister, of Fayetteville,
N. Y; Mr.. and Mrs. Lamont, Mr.. w. S. Bis
sell, of Buffalo, all of whom were present at
the notification of his first nominations; Mr..
Bayard, Mr.. and Mrs. Fairchild, Mr.. and
Mrs Whitney, Mrs. Endicott, Mr.. Villas, Mr..
and Mrs. Dickinson, Mr.. Benjamin Folsom
and Speaker Carlisle.
Their approach was the signal for general
clapping of hands, and as soon as the party
had taken their places Gen. Collins stepped
forward and addressed the President as fol-
lows:
s'Mr Cleveland, we come as committee,
authorized and instructed by the National
Democratic Convention recently held at st.
Louis to convey formal notice of its action in
naming you for the office of President of the
United States during the next four years. 1t
would i'll become the occasion in your pres
ence to express at length the full meaning.
and significance of that great assembly. Its
expression will be found and heard elsewhere
and otherwise from now till that day in
November when this free and intelligent peo-
pie will record their approval of your great
&c 80
congratulate you upon this hearty and unani-
nous Endorsement of your course as Presi-
dent by the great historic party to which in
all the days of your manhood you have be
longed, and to congratulate the country upon
the assured continuance your wise, just
and patriotic administration. sc
Upon concluding his remarks Mr.. Collins
introduced Mr.. Charles d. Jacob, of Ken
lucky, who read the following letter of notifi-
cation:
Washington, June 26-To the Hon. Gro
yer Cleveland, of New York.-Sir: The
delegates to the National Democratic Conven-
ton, representing every State and Territory
Of our Union, having assembled in the city OF
St. Louis on June 5. instant, for the purpose
of nominating candidates for the Offices OF
President and Vice President of the United
States, it has become the honorable and pleas
ing duty of this committee to formally an
nounce to you that, without ballot, you were
by reclamation chosen as the standard-bearer
of the Democratic party for the chief execu-
tiveship of this country at the election to be
held in November next. Great as is such a
distinction under any circumstances, it is the
more fattering and profound when it is
remembered that you have been selected as
your own successor to an Office, the duties OF
which, always onerous, have been rendered
of an extraordinary sensitive, difficult and
delicate nature because of change of politi-
cal parties and methods after tweuty-four
years of uninterrupted domination. This
exaltation is, if possible, added to by the fact
that the declaration of principles based upon
your last annual message to the Congress OF
the United States relative to tariff reduction
and diminution of the expenses of the gov
ernment-thrown down the direct and defiant
challenge for an exacting scrutiny of the ad-
minstration of the executive power, which
four years ago was committed to its trustee
by the election of Grover Cleveland President
of the United States, and for the most search
ing inquiry concerning the fidelity and devo-
ton to the pledges which then invited the
suffrage of the people. An engrossed copy
of that platform, adopted without dissenting
voice, is herewith rendered to you. In con-
veying sir, to you the responsible trust which
has been confided to them, this committee
beg, individually and collectively, to express
the great pleasure which they have felt at the
results attending the National Convention OF
the Democratic party, and to offer to you
their best wishes for official and personal
success and happiness.
Mr.. Thomas S. Petit, Secretary of the
Notification Committee, then presented Mr..
Cleveland with handsome engrossed copy
of the platform adopted at the National
Democratic Convention.
The President in reply said: 81 cannot
but be profoundly impressed when | see about
me the messengers of the National Democracy
bearing its summons to duty. The political
party to which l owe allegiance both houors
and commands me. 1t places in my hand
its proud standard and bids me bear it high
at the front in battle which it wages, brayely
because conscious ofright; confidently, because
its trust is in the people, and soberly, because
it comprehends the obligations which success
imposes. The message which you bring
awakens within me the liveliest sense of per-
sonal 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
the conflict which presses upon US, but that
we struggle to secure and save the cherished
institutions, the welfare and the happiness OF
a nation of freemen.
Familiarity with the great Office which l
hold has but added to my apprehension OF its
sacred character and the conservation demand
ed of him who assumes its immense respon-
sibilities. 1t is the repository of the people S
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 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 encroaeh
ment upon its legitimate functions; and for
the sake of the integrity and usefulness OF the
office it 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, received o
message from my party similar to that which
you now deliver. With all that has passed
since that day can truly say that the feel
ing of awe with which heard the summons
then is intensified many fold when it is re.
peated now. Four years ago | knew that
our Chief Executive office, if not carefully
RudTueu, DulGub uTllJ ltllc ny llltiO away AAOm
the people to whom it belonged and become
a 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 devised were the principles of true De-
mocracy for the successful operation of gov
eminent by the people and for the people;
but did not know how absolutely necessary
their application then was for the restoration
to the people of their safety and prosperity.
knew, then, that abuses and extravagances
had crept into the management of public
affairs, but | did not know their numerous
forms nor the tenacity Of their grasp. knew,
then, something of the bitterness of partisan
obstruction, but | did not know how bitter,
how reckless and how shameless it could be.
knew, too, that the American people were
patriotic and just, but did not know how
grandly they loved their country, nor how
noble and generous they were.
81 shall not dwell upon the acts and the
policy of the administration now drawing to
its close. Its record is open to every citizen
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 con6ded to
me l have yielded obedience only to the con-
stitution and to the solemn obligation of my
oath of office. l have done those things
which, in the light of the understanding God
has given me, seemed most conducive to the