The sun., 1888-07-05
Cleveland Formally Notified.

The committee appointed by the st. Louis
democratic national convention to visit
Washington and inform Mr. Cleveland that
he had been renominated for President, per.
ormed that duty in a formal manner, whereup-
IN the president, lin reply spoke as follows:
lcannot but be profoundly impressed when
see about me the messengers of the national
Democracy bearing its summons to duty.
The political party to which owe allegiance,
Doth honors and commands me. 1t places in
my hand it's proud standard and bids me
bear it high at the front in u battle which
wages bravely, because conscious of right:
confidently, because its trust is in the people,
and soberly, because it comprehends the obi
cation which success imposes. The message
which you bring awakens within me the live
lest sense of personal gratitude and satisfac-
lion. and the honor which you tender me is in
Itself so great that there might well be no
room for any other sentiment And yet l
cannot rid myself of grave and serious
thoughts when remember that party SUI
premacy is not alone involved in the conflict
which presses upon us, but that we struggle to
secure and save the cherished insti-
tutions, the welfare and happiness
Of a nation of free men, Familiarity
with the great office which l hold has but
added to my apprehension of it's sacred char
acter and the conservation demanded of him
who assumes it's immense responsibilities. 1t
is the repository of the peoples will and pow
ar. Within its vision should be the protec-
ton and welfare of the humbiest citizen. and
with quick ear it should catch from the re-
hottest corner of the land the plea of the peo-
Pile for justice and right. For the sake of the
people he who holds this office oftheirs should
resist every encroaehment upon its legitimate
functions. and for the sake of the integrity
and usefulness of the Office it should be kept
near the people and be administered in full
sympathy with their wants and needs. This
ocpD reminds me most yIViuIy of the
scene when. four years ago. | received mes
sage from my party similar to that which
YOU now deliver With all that has passed
since that day. can truly say that the feeling
ofawe with which heard the summons then. is
intensified many fold whenit is repeated now.
Four years ago. knew that our chief eXecu-
tive office ifnot carefully guarded. might
drift little by little away from the people to
whom it belonged, and became n perversion
of all it ought to be, but did not know how
much its moorings had already been loosened.
| knew four years ago how well devised were
the principles of true Democracy for the sue
cessful operation OF a government by the peo-
pie, but did not know how absolutely neces-
sary the application then was for the restora-
ton to the people of their safety and prosper
itv. | knew then that abuses and
axtravagance had crept into the manage
II ent of public affairs, but did not know
their numerous forms nor the tenacity of
bitterness of partisan obstruction. but did
not know how bitter. how reckless and how
shameless il could be. l knew too, that the
American people We're patriotic and just, but
did not know how grandly they loved their
country. nor how noble and generous they
We're. shall not dwell upon the acts and
the policy of the administration now drawing
to its close. Its record is open to every citi-
zen of the land And | will not be denied the
privilege of asserting at this time that in the
exercise of the functions of the high
trust contided to me, | have 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 country
men and the promotion of good government.
| would not, if could, for myself, nor for
you. avoid single consequence of a fair in
terpretation of my course. But it remains for
me TO say to you. and through you. to the
Democracy of the 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.