Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-07-04
Thurman Notified of His Nomination.


AS soon as Judge Thurman had appeared
and bowed to the gentlemen standing |
ready to receive him, Gen. Collins advanc-
ed, and after shaking him by the hand spoke
as follows: "Judge Thurman, we bear
message from the great council OF your
party. 1t is but formal notification OF
your nomination by that body for the high
office of Vice President ofthe United States
Rich as our language is in power and ex-
preston, it contains no words to adequately
convey the sentiment of that convention as
it's heart went out to you. l present my
friend, Hon. Charles D. Jacobs, mayor OF
LOUISVILLE
Mr.. Jacobs stepped forward and in an
earnest voice read the following formal let
ter of notification:
COLUMBUS, O., June 9s, 1888.
To Hon. Allen G. Thurman, of Ohio:
Sir,-It has become the highly agreeable
duty of this committee to inform you that
upon the first ballot of the National Demo-
cratic Convention held recently in the city
OF st. Louis, and representing every State
and Territory of our Union, for the purpose
of selecting candidate for the presidency
and ice-presidency, you were unanimously
chosen as the nominee of that great party
for the eminent and responsible office of
Vice.President of the United States, In
thus spontaneously and emphatically re-
turning you to that political arena which
you graced with so much wisdom, dignity,
and vigor the Democrats of this country
have honored themselves by relieving thDir
party from the charge of ingratitude, and
we believe and trust in November next the
people will relieve such faint from the re-
Ito hxya al IN nunr tha
most august body in the world-the Senate
of the United States. Applause. Should
so desirable contamination be achieved,
then indeed should every lover of his coun-
try, regardless of party or creed, rejoice
that in you is embraced the highest type of
the enlightened and refined American citi-
zen, and that no matter what the crisis
might be this Government would be safe in
your hands. Applause.
An engrossed copy of the platform of
principles, couched in language that admits
of no doubt and adopted without dissent
ing vote, is herewith presented.
In discharging their trust this committee
desire to convey to you che assurances of
their most profound esteem and admiration
and to express their sincerest good wishes
for your happiness and property.
We have the honor, sir, to be your obedi.
ent servants.
The above is signed by Patrick Collins,
chairman, Massachusetts,; Basil Gordon,
secretary, Virginia. Thomas s. Petit, as
sstant secretary, Kentucky, and the Motif
cation Committee.
Amid profound silence Judge Thurman
spoke as follows:
"Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
Committee. i pray you to accept my very
sincere thanks for the kind and courteous
manner in which you have communicated
to me the official information of my nOmina-
ton by the st. Louis Convention. You
know, without saying it, that l am pro-
foundly grateful to the convention and to
the Democratic party for the honor confer
red upon me, and more SO that it was Who'll
| ly uusought and undesired by me. Not
that l undervalue the distinction which any
man of our party, however eminent, might
highly prize, but simply because l had
ceased to be ambitious of public life. But
when | am told in so earnest and impress
sive manner that can still render service
to the good cause to which have ever been
| devoted-a cause to which | am bound by
| ties OF Affection, by dictates of Judgment,
by sense Of obligation, for favors so often
conferred upon me, and by the fervent hope
that the party may long continue to be able
such circumstances do but yield my private
wishes to the demand Of those whose opin-
ions l am bound to respect? Applause
Gentlemen, with an unfeigned diffidence in
my ability to fulfil the expectations that
led to my nomination, / yet feel it to be my
duty to accept it and do all that it may be
in my power to do to merit so marked
distinction. Gentlemen, the country is
| blessed by an able and honest Administra-
| ton Of the General Government. ZAP
plause.1 We have President who wisely,
bravely, diligently, and periodically dis
charges the duties of his high Office Ap-
plause.1 | fully believe that the best in
terests of the country require his re. cleo
ton, and the hope that l may be able to
contribute somewhat to bring about the re-
suit is one of my motives for accepting
place on our ticket, and l also feel it my
duty to labor for the reduction of taxes
and to put stop to that accumulation of
surplus in the Treasury that in my iudg-
ment is not only prejudieial to our financial
welfare, but is in high degree dangerous
to honest and constitutional government.
Applause | suppose, gentlemen, that
need say no more to day. In due time and
in accordance with established usage, will
transmit to your chairman written accept
ance of my nomination, with such observa-
tions upon public questions as may seem to
me to be proper" [Applause.]
| A reception and elegant collation. then
followed. Every one remarked that Judge
Thurman appeared so vigorous and earnest,
and old friends say they have not seen him
so vivacious and happy for months. It was
grand sight to see the old Roman sur
rounded by his admirers, and nothing would
satisfy the committee bgt that a photogra-
pher should take a group picture of the
gathering, which was done, and the COM
mittee then departed.