The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-24
DEMOCRATIC STATE CONvEN.
TV6N.

ne DemOcratiC otate COnFeutloHi \
at Dayton the 10th and 18th t
lst., worked in the spirit of harmony
nd enthusiasm. That its work was |,
ell done, will be made manifest in
he ratification of the people, express
d through the ballot, of its wisdom in
election of candidates upon the State
lcket and hearty endorsements of Gro
er Cleveland as eminently qualified
nd worthy to be his own successor in
he exalted Office which he has no less
lonored than being himself honored
~ its occupancy.
Our report commences with the Sec
,nd days proceedings.
at 1856 Chairman Bohl of the State
Central Committee called the conven.
tion to order. The Divine blessing |
was invoked by the Rev. Mcfarland,
of Dayton.
Hon. A. R. Van Cleaf, of Pickaway,
made the report of the committee on
permanent organization, naming Hon. |
F. Hunt, of Hamilton, per
of Wood, secretary.
oquent manner to deliver his address
as permanent chairman of the CON
vention. 1t was q mastery effort, and
was very frequently interrupted with
outbursts of applause. He said:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION:
am profoundly grateful for the friend
ly recognition, and from heart often
deeply touched by the Democracy of
Ohio, thank you cordially for this re-
newed expression of confidence. One
hundred years ago the first settlement
of this state was made at Marietta un-
der the ordinance of 1877. The pro-
visions of that great instrument i'm
pressed themselves in these nOrthwes.
tern states, aud gave direction to the
civilization that has characterized this
imperial territory. Religion, morality
and the means of education, the priv
ileges of the writ, the obligation OF
contracts, first embodied in written
organic law, were cardinal features in
that historic document. 1t can truth
fully be said that the Democratic par
| ty, in the whole period of its control
| in Ohio, the first born under the ordi
nance, has enforced these principles
by appropriate legislation. The cen
| tennial of the state has indeed been
crowned with the triumph of liberty
and law, to which the party has con
tributed by wise and judicious enact
ments. Its policy has found expression
| in the legislation which established
and fostered the magnificent system
of common schools, which guarantee
to every citizen the enjoyment CT reli.
gious privileges according to the die
tates of conscience; which gathers
Into its embrace the poor, the oppress
ed, the outcast and tha wretched
which protects women and children
in factories and workshops from pro
longed and unpaid toll which follow:
the miner as he delves in the mines
and watches over him in the darkness:
and danger of bis employment; which
provides a ministry and education and
comfort for the unfortunate child o
want, and gives hope and contidenc,
and opportunity to the degraded ant
dying. 1t contributes by its very spir
lt to the advancement of common hu
} manity with d charity as broad as hu
man life, with a toleration as univer
sal as ignorance and the infirmities
men, and with a mutual forgiveness
as omnipresent as the shadows of life
1t has secured life and liberty an
property-it has encircled home wit
the strong defenses of authority, an
! has taught as the highest political oh
= legation the safe rule of political actIo
that there must be obedience to la'
luntil freedom of discussion sha
. change the policy of the admiuistrs
, tion. There are demagogue5 enoug
who can raise storm but who cannt
: control the elements of popular disc
I der. The only security for Tree pet
e pie is by investing the law with 81
. preme majesty. 1t is true that it hs
not always been in the ascendane.
but it would willingly welcome All e'
erlasting minority rather than an e.
erlasting majority purchased by tt
u sacrifice of its traditions and its PEii
topples.
Il We have gathered here today, hov
i. ever, in q noble aud higher sense
= members of the Democratic party
q the country, whose teachings are |
beneflcent in their character aud {
patriotic in their application that the
!, extend to every bone and hamlet
G this broad land. The feuds of civ
war happily die away more speedil
:. than the feuds of foreign strife. MI
u tual intercourse brings the friendshi
q of mutual forgetfulness. The flags
hundred battle fields are cherishe'
not as symbols of triumph, but as m
It MORALS of heroic valor. The Dem
q cratic party declares for reconciliatio
o and pacificatiOn among once estrange
countrymen, and has a sublime cont
} dence in the perpetuity of republica
D selfgovernment. 1t can triumphant
e be said that the administration of CIR,
yer Cleveland has accomplished MOI
in the restoration of cordiality an
( good will among those who should
friends and brethren than all the p'
Iitical agencies since the civil wa
The solemn duties of the hour can
accepted with heroic courage by pa
ty broad enough to comprehend tE
J. whole country. With emancipatio
- and Acknowledgement secure, the poll
cal equality of all men before the la
must be recognised and enforced. IL
8 cal self-government is the very bas
/. of good government, as to thar end
f free ballot must and shall be maintain
ed in every part of the United State
> A fair count must follow free bal 10
e and that page of American nistOr
I cannot be repeated by which. upon til
false count of the electoral votes /,
Two states, the will of the people ws
defeated.
Nor should the country be less en-
f phatic in the assertion of America
j. nationality, and follow the citizen
every part of the habitable globe wit
! the strong arm of governmental pre-
] lection. In this way alone can thei
{ be secured the respect of foreign pow
, ers and encouragement given to peopl
struggling for nationality and indiviC
3 ual freedom. The inspiration of ill
3 erty belongs to every heart that beat
r to be free.
The hearts of the American peopl
must always beat high at the recital
of brave deeds and heroic sacrifice:
3 whether that recital be of the geners
, ton which fought the war of the rev
olution, or of 1872 or the Mexican wal
or the generation which fought th
= war of the union. The First Consu
5 sleeps under the dome Of the Inyalidi
!. in the grandest tomb on earth, erecte
| by the French people. whom he love
; so well. The old veterans of Waterlo
and of the campaigns of Moscow ar
there cared for by the generosity {
, the government, while the flags car
tured on a hundred battlefields rustl
to the music of the organ. The ga
(, leries are filled with magnificent battl
L I & Il Il