Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-07-05

alone 1nvolged in the conflict which
presses upon us, but that we struggle 10
secure and save the cherished institu-
tions, the welfare and the happiness Of
10 nation offreemen. o. El
"Faniliafity with The great Office
whieht II hold has but added to my ap-
prehension Of its sacred character and
theconsecratioh demanded of him who
assumes its immense responsibilities.
II is the repository of the peoples viii
And power Within itsvision should
be the protection and welfare Of the
humblest 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 the sake of
the people, he who holds this office of
theirs should resist every encroachment
upon its legitimate functions; and for
the sake'ot the integrity and usefulness
of the,nffice, it should be kept near to
Ithepeople aud be administered In full
sympathy with their wants and needs.
This occasion reminds me most vividly
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, I heard the summons then Is
intensified many fold when il is re-
peated now. q,
!. flour years ago I 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 a perversion of all 10 ought
to be; but I did not know how much
its mooring had already been loosened,
/ knew. four Years ago how welldeyised
were the principles of true Democracy
for the successful operation of a govern
ment by the people and for the people;
but I did not know how absolutely
necessary their application then was
their safety and prosperity. knew
then that abuses and eXtravagances had
crept into the management of public
affairs; but did not know their numer-
GUS forms nor the tenacity of their
grasp. 1 knew then something of the
bitterness Of partisan obstruction; but 1
did not know how bitter, how reckless
and how shameless it could be. I 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.
"I shall not dwell upon the acts and
the policy of the administration now
drawing to its close. It's record is open
to every citizen of the land. And vet
will not be denied the privilege of as
serting at this time that in the exercise
of the functions of the high trust con-
fided to me have yielded obedience
only to the constitution and the solemn
obligation of my oath of Office. have
done those things which, in the light
of the understanding God has given
me, seemed most conducive to the well
fare of my countrymen and the promo
ton of good government. would not
if could for myself nor for you avoid a
single consequence of fair interpreta-
tion of my course. Tt but remains for
me to say to you, and through you, to
the Democracy of the nation, that l
accept the nomination with which they
have honored me, and that I will in due
time signify such acceptance in the
usual formal manner" "w tt. .'31 .,.ttn
The presidents remarks were made
in an earnest and emphatic manner,
and were frequently interrupted by APP
plause. This closed thespeech- making,
and then all present proceeded to the
state dining room and partook of light
refreshments. Afterwards the COM
mittees became the guests of the CO.
lumbia club and were driven about the
city. - ''.....'. .a