The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-06-13
CLEYELAND'S CONVENTION.
HE'S RENoMINATEoB BY AccLAMATIoN
Details of the Work of the National DEM
ocratic Conyention-The Nominating
Speeches-The Platform-Sketch.
of the Nominees, Etc.

tional convention began to gather in the
early hours of the morning, although the
gavel of Chairman Barnum of the national
committee did not announce its opening
until noon. The trickling stream of hui
;nanity, which began to run into the big
exposition building as early as o'clock,
grew to a torrent, which surged in and
1iIled the great nave of the hail to over
flowing, and long before noon 10000 hui
man faces gazed upon the high desk re-
served for the presiding officer OF the con-
vention, with its cleaning white silver
cavel-a gift of the Colorado delegation
full of curious interest for the expectant
multitude. The noble proportions of the
hall strike one at once with admiration.
il Is oblong in shape, relieved upon either
side by balconies reaching back 200
feet, above which, stretching entirely
ground the auditorium, is q broad
overhanging gallery. An ample stage
reaches from the rear of the chairman 5
platform fifty feet to the east wall of the
hall and accommodates 40 of the gath
cred leaders and fathers of the national
democracy, who are thus enabled to over
look officers, delegates and spectators.
The decorations are simple but effective.
At l2:45 p. IN. ex-senator Barnum OF
Connecticut, chairma n Of the democratic
national committee, rose from his chair,
and with the gavel smote the desk one
sturdy blow. Then the various bands
which were discoursing music in various
parts of the hall ceased, the loud talking
and the cheers which greeted the appear
ance of each distinguished individual who
entered the convention gave way to quiet
ness. and with q preliminary hustle the
treat assemblage subsidized into compara-
tive silence "The convention will please
come 10 order, said Chairman Barnum.
Bishop J. c. Cranberry OF st. Louis will
open the proceedings OF this convention
with prayer"
Bishop Cranberry came forward and
addressed the Throne OF Grace rs follows:
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, Who
art lifted far above all this turmoil, and yet
dost stoop TO us in answer 10 our prayer, we
adore Thee. We praise Thee. We give Thee
thanks Tor Thy great goodness % the sons OF
men, Thou art our God, and we are the peO-
pie of Thy providence and the work of Thy
hand. We thank Thee for this great country
which Thou hast given 10 us; for the increase of
our population and our wealth and our power;
which giveth light TO the church and for all
Christian Institutions. Forgive us our ingrati-
tudes, forgetfulness OF Thee, our disobe-
dience according the multitude OF Thy favors
in Christ. Oh, Lord, save us from pestllence,
famine and war, from sectional strife and
anarchy and disorder, from the reign of vice
and crime, and impiety. May the foundations
Of our prosperity be laid in faith and reverence
and righteousness and love, and may the favor
of our God be our defense and our glory. We
beseech Thee, Almighty God that Thou wilt
bless the president Of the United States and all
that are in authority, and do Thou provide for
as able men who fear God, men OF truth and
righteousness, and may our people be led on
by Thy wisdom and Thy power and goodness
from height to height of material and intel
iectual and moral development. May these
blessings he transmitted from generation TO
generation, and extend to all nations that all
the earth may see the glory of our God. These
prayers offer in the name OF Thy son,
Jesus Christ. Amen.
At the conclusion of the PRAYER, Mr..
Barnum arose and said: Gentlemen OF
the convention, by the unanimous vote OF
national committee the chair has been
directed to present to this convention as
the list of temporary officers the following
which the secretary will read"
Mr.. Prince then read the list as follows
Stephen NJ White of California for
chairman. [Applause.]
Temporary secretary - Frederick o..
Prince of Massachusetts,.
Assistant secretaries Alfred Orendorff
OF Illinois, w. J.. Scott of Virginia, T. f..
Barrett of st. Louis, Leopold Strauss OF
Alabama, o. NJ. Hall of Minnesota, John
Tripplett OF Georgia, H. iE. ROwley of
Michigan, Oliver Newell of Colorado, j.
J.. Engle of Missouri, T. l.. Merrill OF
Nebraska
The committee escorted Mr.. White amid
great enthusiasm to the chair, and Mr..
Barnum then introduced him to the con-
rention in the following words: Gentle
men of the convention: i have the pleas
ure and the honor to present to this con-
vention the Hon. Stephen NJ. White of
California" [Applause.l
Mr.. White said:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CoNvENTIoN-Pro-
foundly grateful for the distinction just con-
ferred upon me- am nevertheless conscious
that have been chosen for this position be-
cause of your appreciation OF that important
section OF our common country from whence
come. | can assure you that those whom in
part represent will regard with satisfaction the
recognition which they have just received, not
because of any uncommon ability or influence OF
mine, but for the reason that this is the only
time in the history OF our national conventions
on which the Pacific slope has been accorded
such an honor. California was acquired under
democratic rule. 1t became a commonwealth
under democratic auspices Ii is, therefore,
fitting that the bestowa Of this favor should
emanate from the organization whose patriot
ism and courage gave her to the American
union, and that party should be the first 10
press forward with parental fondness the
children of those who knocked-and did not
knock in vain-fOr admission to the privileges
of statehood.
i congratulate you not merely as democrats
but as American citizens, on the encouraging
circumstances which attend the Inauguration
of our proceedings. For the first time for
period covering more than quarter OF a cen
tury the democratic national convention is held
while the affairs OF government are conducted
by a democratic administration. Up 10 the late
presidential election the republican party de-
clared that democratic success meant national
ruin, and that whatever might be said of the
crimes and transactions of those then in author
ity, yet to no other keeping could the well
fare Of the United States be safely cOnfded.
This doctrine was reDudiated at the polls and
the experience of almost four years has demon
strated that those assertions and charges were
unwarTanted, and that the people were right
IN demanding and compelling radical change
The platform of principles adopted at our
last national convention prescribe with accuracy
the rule OF conduct which should control gov
er1mental action. Grover Cleveland WAS
selected by that convention as a man whose
frInness, ability, integrity and statesman-like
qualities pre-eminently fitted him to undertake
the task OF carrying out the great reforms thus
suggested by the organization 10 whose tenets
he has ever been ready 10 yield compliance.
No public servant ever responded 10 the call
of duty more readily and fully or in better