The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-02
TuE CONVENTION OF 1850.
winfield scott Hancock aud VIM. ~.
English Nominated ~ Cincinnati

The Democratic national convention of
1880 met ut Cincinnati ON June -, John
W. Stephenson, Of Kentucky, being per.
mancnt president The question Of the
candidacy Of Samuel J. Tildcn entered
largely into the preliminary canvass for
the selection OF delegates In the different
states. Every Democrat in the United
States felt that 1ildcn was cheated out
OF the presidency in 1877, and the deep
damnation Of his taking oil" WINS urged as
a reason for his denomination. when the
convention met Daniel Manning, chair.
man Of the Democratic committee VI New
York State, presented the following letter
from Mr.. nldcn, which was his last OIL
cial communication TO the Democracy.
TilpEN's FAREWELL Address.
Nav Yuhx June n iSsi
Democratic National Convention.
Your tlrst assembling IL an occasion on
which u Ia proper for me 10 state TO YOU
my relation 30 the nomination for the
presidency which YOU and your associates
arc commissioned b. make In behalf Of tho
Democratic party " tho United States
Having passed my early DAYS in an atmos.
phcr iillcd with the traditions of the war
which secured our national independence.
and 0i the struggles which made our
continental system n government for
the people, by the people. learned 10
idoliro the institutions II my country and
WIS educated 10 believe Il the duty Of a
citizen 81 the republic 10 take his fair allol
mcnt Of care aud trouble In public affairs. /
fulfilled that duty 10 the best Of my ability
Tor iorty years ~ private citizen. Al.
though all my life giving ut least a. much
thought and effort Ia public affairs ~ 10 all
other objects, have never accepted ON.
Cial service except for brief pcriuds for A
specific purpose, and only when the occa.
sion seemed ~ rcquirr of me that sacrifice
oi private preferences TO public interests.
My lite has been substantially that Of A
private Citizen. IL was, ] presume, tho
success of'ciiorts Ia which. as a ptiynto iii.
zon, ! had shared 20 overthrow a couupt
/ combination then holding dominion Ia our
metropolis, and 10 purify the judiciary
| which had become H. tool, that induced
/ the Democracy IT the State In 1874 to
nominate me iur Governor. Thswas done
~ spite Of the protests OF q minority that
the part ] had borne In thuso reforms had
hfhAtN NitNtiNHAliHliiH lNlNl 70 lllt w n NNuUla
date. felt constrained TO accept the
nomination M the most certain means oi
| putting the power of the gubcma,nrinl
Office on the side Of reform, and Of ~.
moving the impression, wherever Il pro.
vailed, that the faithful discharge oi one
/ duty ~ n citizen IL fa,ai TO his uaciulnca.
| ~ public servant
The breaking Of the canal ring. the bet
| ter management OF our public works. the
large reduction Of taxes and other reforms
| accomplished during my administration.
| doubtless ocrasioncd my nomination Tor
| the presidency by the Democracy OF the
Union, In the hope that similar nroccssc.
would ho applied TO tho Federal govern.
mcnL From the responsibilities " such
am undertaking, appalling as u seemed 10
me, did not feel At liberty 10 shrink
IN the canvass which onsucd the Demo.
cratic party represented reform In the al.
minisintion Of the Federal government
and restoration Of our complex political
system 10 tho pure ideas Of lis founders.
Upon These issues the people Of III. United
States, by majority Of more than quar-
tcr OF q million, chose q majority ol the
electors 10 cast their votes Cor the Demo.
cratic candidate Tor President aud Vice
President. II Is my right and privilege
here 10 say that ! was nominated and