The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-09-19
THE CANDIDATES.
Mr.. Cleveland True and Tried-His Re-
nomination Was the Demand of the Hour.

Mr.. Cleveland True and Tried-His Re-
nomination Was the Demand of the Hour.
| come now to my third ground of conf
dence in democratic success, namely, the
character of our standard-bearers. Four years
ago Grover Cleveland appeared as a compara-
lively new star IN the political armament; but
he had so displayed the qualities OF courage,
independence integrity and real leadership
while governor OF New York as to give him at
once a national reputation, and a high place
among the foremost men OF his party. The
people caught his spirit and rallied 10 his sup
port with such ardOr and spOntaneity that all
rival candidates were sent to the rear and his
nomination became inevitable. His later
career has been still more remarkable. He
has been far more thoroughly tried Ia the
great Office OF president, and under the re-
mOrseless fire OF his political enemies; but
since the day Of his Inauguration he has been
steadily winning the admiration and love of
his party and the respect of good men. His
nomination Tor a second term became q fore
gone conclusion so early in his administration,
and his qualities as a great leader Of men re-
veaied themselves so Enthusiastically from time
TO time that the claims of no other candidate
have been debated or even seriously thought
OF. Not one OF the famous men OF the repub-
lie in its early days was ever more COM
pletely the idol of his party. His
denomination at ST. Louis by the unanimous
vote OF its picked men from every section of
the Union was no surprise 10 the country, but
/ believe was universally anticipated by men of
all parties. But this unanimous nomination
only family indicated the unexampled and re-
sstleSs enthusiasm of the convention. IL car
red everything before il like the tides OF the
sea, and the delegates became the mere instru-
ments of a power which had enthralled them.
and given them one heart and one will. Their
sense of duty was an illumination; and yet
their enthusiasm was not ephemeral, but the
final outburst of deliberate and intelligent
aEfi 10 NJ IN
acts through Il series OF years. What other ey-
PLANTATION Is POSSIBLE? il viii not do to hold,
with Senator ingalls,, that Grover Cleveland is
near relative OF the great family OF idiots, and
that the democratic party is "a heap OF COM
post" Nor will il help the matter to brand
the democrats as rebels, who have found their
likeness and fit instrument in the president.
These interesting specimens OF post-mortem
politics aud political lunacy have served their
turn and gone to their place.
Mr.. Chairman, in the canvass of 1875 re-
ferred to the exceptional power Of one strong
man, thoroughly IN earnest, ana thoroughly
armed with the strength OF his convictions.
with a fertile brain, perfect courage, absolute
devotion 10 duty, and genius for the work OF
reform, he may scatter renovating ideas re-
deem a state from misrnle and radically change
the face of society. A really great
man, with rare force of character, passionately
welded 10 his work, and desperately resolved
to submit to no defeat might so inspire the
that a revolution in the administration of pub
lie affairs would be the result" These words
were spoken of Samuel J. Tilden twelve years
ago. aud have no doubt would have been per-
fectly justified in the administration of that emf
nent statesman if he had been permitted
by the party in power to take the office to which
he had been fairly elected. Butln thus sketch
ing the democratic candidate of 1876 / antic-
pated the character and career of Grover Cleve-
land. Let me illustrate the truth of what | say
by facts. His annual message on the subject of
the tariff awakened alarm in the ranks of a
very formidable body of democrats and general
rejoicing among republicans. 1t was regarded
as a daring and perilous venture. The rugged
issue he presented had been evaded and summed
by the cautious and prudent politicians of both
parties since the close of the late war; while
surplus had been accumulating in the treasury
which had threatened the utter decentralization
ofour politics, and had been unnecessarily drawn
from the pockets Of the people in the form of
taxes upon the necessaries of life. The presi-
dent fully realized the situation and the neces-
sity Of prompt action, aud without taking the