Evening journal., 1888-07-05
His speech in Reply 90 Chairman
Estee,s Presentation.

mittee, attired ia q close buttoned Prince
Albert. Mrs. Harrison, on the contrary,
looked very happy and bright.
Chairman Estee stepped forward and 10
splendid voice and emphasis said: 4sN
General Harrison, we are commissioned
by the National Republican Convention TO
officially notify you OF your nomination as
Che Republican candidate for President Of
the United States. Iu doing this we may
be permitted to remind you that your So
lection met tho hearty approval OF the
whole convention; it left no embittered
feeling Of lukewarm supporters, and its
action voiced the average and the best
judgment of the convention.
IL is true distinguished gentlemen well
known to the people, who were experienced
ia public affairs, illustrious in character,
and worthy Of the peoples confidence and
support, were before the Convention as
candidates, and yet you wore chosen.
Nor wGa your nomination due TO acci-
dent, or tho result OF hasty or inconsiderate
deli0eration. IL indicated rather that you
possessed in a more eminent degree those
peculiar qualities which commended Won
TO tho peoples favor. Ia the hour OF our
country's peril you cheerfuily accepted q
humble position ia the army, went where
your country most needed you, and by long
and faithful service rose to highest con-
maud, and assumed grave responsible
ties Elected to the United States
Senate, your enlightened and CON
seryative stRtesmanship commanded the
respect aud Inspired the confidence OF
the American psopls. Added to this, the
purity of your past life and your exalted
private virtues is en- earnest that as a eau
didate FOR President the honor Of the Re
publican party and the glory OF our couu-
will be safe in your keeping. The platform
adopted by tho National Republican Con
vention marks out with clearness and pre-.
cision the creed Of the party The Ameri-
can system Of protection 10 American labor
aud American products ia American
markets. the sacredness and purity OF the
ballot, the protection OF American citizens,
native and adopted, ct home and abroad.
on land and saa, the prohibition OF Chinese
immigration, the building up or our
navy, the erection OF coast defeuces and
the special care OF the old soldiers END
sailors Of the Republic, are questions
which occupy conspicuous placss in our
platform. These and other subjects re-
ferred TO in the platform will doubtless re.
ceive your careful consideration la con
clusion we beg 70 express our personal
satisfaction nc your nomination, and we
indulge tho belief that your election is
already assured.
After moments silence IN. Harrison,
drawing his manuscripts from his bosom,
read his reply ia q full, rich voice and
with degree OF seriousness and earnest
ness that viuibly impressed every one who
heard him. He sold.
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the
Committee; The official notice which you
have brought Of the nomination conferred
upon nae by the Republican National Con.
vention, recently in session at Chicago, ex-
cites emotions OF profound though OF a
somewhat conflicting character. That after
full deliberation aud free consultation, the
representatives Of the Republican party Of
the United States should have concluded
that the great principles enunciated ia the
platform adopted by the Convention could
be In some measure safely confided to my
care is an honor OF which am deeply SEN
sible and for which am very grateful. /
do not assume or believe that this choice
implies that the Convention found ia me
any pre-aminent fitness or exceptional fdel-
ity 70 the principles OF government to
which we are mutually pledged. Ny sat
isfaction with the reeult would be alto
gether spoiled II that result had been
reached by any unworthy methods, OF by
a disparagement OF tho more eminent men
who divided with me the suffrages OF the
Convention. l accept the nomination with
50 deep sense Of the dignity OF the Office
and OF the gravity Of its duties and respon-
sibihties as altogether TO exclude any feel
ing 81 exultation or pride. The principles
Of government and the practices Ia admin
istration upon which issues are now for
tunately so clearly made are so important
ia their relations TO the national and indi-
vidual prosperity that we may expect
an unusual popular interest in the
campaign. Relying wholly upon the con-
siderate Judgment OF our fellow-citizens
and the gracious favor of God, we will
confidently submit our cause to the arbitra-
ment Of free ballot. The day you have
chosen for this visit suggests no thoughts
that are not ia harmony with the occasion.
The Republican party has walked ia the
light Of the Declaration OF Independence.
IL has lifted the shaft OF patriotism upon
the foundation laid at Bunker Hill. Il has
made the more perfect union secured by
making ell men free. Washington and
Lincoln, Yorktown and Appomatox, the
Declaration o. Independence and the Proela.
nation Of Emancipation, are naturally
and worthily associated in cur thoughts.
As soon as may be possible shail, BY letter.
communicate to your chairman a more
formal acceptance OF the nomination; but
IL may be but proper for me 70 say that
have already examined the platform with
some care, and that its declarations, to
some OF which your chairman hss alluded.
are in harmony with my views.
1T gives me pleasure gentlemen, 20 re-
celve you 10 my home and to thank You
for the cordial manner "a which YOU have
c'nveyed your official message
Long and hearty eppieuse echsed
through TIE house as General Harrison
concluded his address snd reaching forth
b. cordially Rraspod the extended hand OF
Chairman Estee, who then presented him
with the official copy Of his notification.
Secretary Clisbee then handed the General
an engrosssd copy Of tho Republican plat
form. The foEmsl.ties OF the occasion
having concluded, General Harrison in-
stently became the genial host. while
Chairman Estee. acting ss master Of cere-
moHiees introduced each member os the
committee as tbev psssed before the