The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-07-05
Cleveland Formally Notified.

The committee appointed by the St. Lonis
democratic national convention to visit
Washington and inform Mr. Cleveland that
lie had been renOminated for President, per.
formed that duty in formal manner, whereup-
on the president, in reply, spoke US follows:
lcannot but be profoundly impressed when
see about me the messengers of the national
democracy bearing it's summons to DUTY
The political party to which owe allegiance,
both hOnOrs and commands me- 1t places IN
my hand it's proud standard and bids me
bear it high at the front in battle which
wages bravely, because conscious of right;
confidently, because its trust is in the people,
and sOberly, because it cOmprehcnds the obi
CATION which success imposes. The message
which you bring awakens within me the live
lest sense OF personal gratitude and satisfnc-
ton, 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 l
cannot rid myself of grave and serious
thoughts when l remember that party su-
premacy is not alone involved in the conflict
winch presses upon US, but that We struggled to
secure and save the cherished insti-
buttons, the welfare and happiness
of 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
VINO assumes its immense responsibilities. 1t
Is the repository of the peoples will and pow
er. Within it's vision should be the protec-
ton and welfare Of the hnmblest citizen. and
with quick ear it should catch from the re-
hottest corner of the land the plea of the peo-
pie for justice and right. For the sake of the
people he who holds this Office ofthers should
resist every encrOachmcnt upon it's Legitimate
functions, and for the sake of the integrity
and usefulness of the office, it should I've kept
near the people and be administered in full
sympathy with their wants and needs, This
occasion reminds me most wildly of the
scene when, four years ago, l received a mes.
sage from my party similar to that which
you now deliver. With all that has passed
since that day, Gun truly say that the feeling
Ofawe with which heard the summons then is
intensified many fold when it 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 perverson
OF all it ought to be, but did not know how
much it's moorings had already been loosene,
l knew four years ago how we'll devised were
the principles of true Democracy for the sue
cesstul operation of government by the pco-
pie, but did not know how absolutely neces.
ton to the people of their safety and prosper.
ity. l knew then that abuses and
extravaganza had crept into the manage
ment of public affairs, but did not know
their numerous forms nor the tcnacity Of
their grasp. knew then something Of the
UllIeIueSS VI pdftlSdH ODSUrucJlOD, DuC QlO
not know how bitter, how reckless and how
shameless it could be. knew, too, that the
American people were patriotic and just, but
l did not know how grandly they loved their
country, nor how noble and generous they
were. shall not dwell upon the acts and
the policy of the administration now drawing
to its close. Its record is open to every cit-
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 confided 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 underst anding 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 u fair in
depreciation 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
NE. and that l will in due time signify such
acceptance in the usual formal manner.