Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-07-05
CLEVELAND NOTIFIED.
He Accepts the Honor With Thanks

He Accepts the Honor With Thanks.
The national democratic committee and
the notification committee appointed by the
late democratic convention to notify Cleve-
land and Thurman of their nomination for
President and Vice President met in Wash
ington June % After some preliminary
business, the committee marched TO the
White House. The President was notified
OF their arrival and received them in the
east room. AS soon as the party had taken
their places Gen. Collins stepped forward
and in few remarks made known the OBJ
iect Of their visit and introduced the Hon.
Chas. ID. Jacob of Kentucky, who read and
presented TO the President the formal letter
Of notification signed by the national COM
mittee.
The president in reply said: II cannot
but be profoundly impressed when l see
about me the messengers of the national
democracy, bearing its summons to duty.
Tho political party to which owe allegi-
ance both honors and commands me. 1t
places in my hand its proud standard, and
bids me bear it high at the front in a battle
which it wages bravcly because conscious
of right, confidently because its trust is in
the people, and soberly because 1t compre-
hends the obligations which success i'm
plies.
1.-THE 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 we'll be no room for any
other sentiment. And yet cannot rid my
self Of grave and serious thoughts when
remember that party supremacy is not
alone involved in the conflict which presses
upon us, but that we struggle to secuae and
save the cherished institutions, the welfare
and the happiness of a nation Of free men.
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. 1t 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 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 legiti-
mate functions, and for the sake of the
integrity and usefulness of the office IL
should be kept near TO the people and
administered in full sympathy with their
wants and needs.
This occasion reminds me most wildly of
the scene when, four years ago, | received
message from my party similar 10 that
which you now deliver. With all that has
passed since that day, can most truly say
hat the feeling OF awe with which l 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 ii be-
longed, and become a pervcrsion OF all 1t
ought to be; but did not know how much
It's moorings had already been loosened.
knew four years ago how well devised were
the 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 appli-
cation 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 l did not know
how bitter, how restless and how shameless
ii could be. L know, 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.
II 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 l will not be
denied the privilege Of asserting at this
time that in the exercise of the functions of
the high trust confided to me, Ihave 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 welfare Of my coun-
trymen and the promotion Of good govern
ment. 1 would not, II could, for myself
nor for you, avoid single consequence of
fair Interpretation Of my course.
1T but remains for me to say TO you, and
through you to the democracy ofthe 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"
The Presidents remarks were made in
an earnest and emphatic manner, and were
frequently interrupted by applause This
| closed the speech making, and all present
proceeded to the state dining room and par
took Of light refreshments.