, 1888-06-08
we're tossed into the air, fans were wrap.


commotion lasted for only two minutes,
and Iowa ~graciously lowered its gray
banner. The Western delegates received
this as a surrender and subsidized. The
Grays weakened after this occurrence and
a hasty canvass of the delegates restored
the confidence of Colorado, which is act
ing as the m~outhpiece of the Illinois gen
eral. They resolved to take the risk of
nominating, and the statement %relinquish-
ing their candidate was recalled. The
reading of the platform was quietly re-
ceived. The endorsement of Cleveland
caused much enthusiasm, and the Chi
nese labor restrictions elected faint cheers
from Oregon and Nevada, while Califor-
MIA listened in stolid silence to the declar-
ations which had been
FULLY ENDORSED.
The New York delegation was the last
to enter and she pinned Thurman colors
to her standard. The ~assemblage rose on
its feet and gave her three hearty cheers,
but Indiana was not dismayed and ans
wered the defiant shouts, and for some
moments confusion, noise and excitement
reigned. Convention was called to order
at 1920 and prayer was offered by Rev.
| DIR. Brankfeld. The chair then stated
that he was advised that the committee
on resolutions was ready to report and he
introduced Henry Watterson chairman of
| the committee. The assemblage testified
its appreciation of Watterson by rounds
of applause at a suggestion of a delegate
from the Old Dominion by three hearty
cheers for the starved goddess of re-
form" Watterson, turning to the chair
man, said that he had the honor to report
the resolutions unanimously agreed upon
by the committee on platform.
Secretary Thomas S. Pettitt, of the
convention, during the reading of the re-
port was frequently compelled to stop
while the convention applauded the sig
niticant passages in the platform. There
was a moderate volume of applause at
the opening sentences, which reaffirmed
the tariff plank of the platform of 1884,
but when he followed indorsing
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
and declaring hat it correctly interpreted
that plank, the convention fairly rose to
its feet, and cheered wildly for FIVE min
utes-
The Platform.
The Democratic party of the United
States in national convention assembled.
renews the pledges of its fidelity to the
l'S'hOSidliS ldlGit anu lCauil Ii Ii plhb
form adopted by its representatives in the
convention of 1884 and endorses the
views expressed by President Cleve-
land in his last earnest mes
sage to congress as a correct interpreta-
ton of that platform upon the question of
tariff reduction, and also endorses the eff
forts of our Democratic representatives in
congress to secure a reduction ofexcessive
taxation, Chief among its principles of
party faith are the maintenance of an in
dlssoluble union of free and indestructible
states now about to enter upon its second
century of u~nexampled progress and
known devotion to a plan Of government
regulated by a written constitution strictly
specifying every sgranted power and ex-
pressly reserving to the states or people
the entire ungranted residue of power;
the encouragement of jealous, popular
vigilance directed to all who have been
chosen for brief terms to enact and exc
cute the laws and are charged with the
duty OF preserving peace, e%nsuring equal
ity and the
ESTABLISHMENT OF JUSTICE.
The Democratic party welcomes an ex-
acting scrutiny of the administration of
the executive power which four years ago
was committed to its trust in the election
of Grover Cleveland, president of the
United States, but it challenges the most
searching inquiry concerning its fidelity
and devotion to the pledges which then
invited the suffrages of the people. During
the most critical period of our financial
affairs, resulting from over taxation, the
anomalous condition of our currency and
the public debt unmatured. 1t has, by
IL. IL. q -. II
course not only averted disaster, but
greatly promoted the prosperity
of our people. 1t has re-
versed the %improvident and unwise policy
of the Republican party touching the
public domain, and has reclaimed from
corporations and syndicates, alien and do
nearly one hundred millions of acres of
valuable land to be sacredly held as home
stead for our citizens.
WHILE CAREFULLY GUARDING
the principles Of justice and equity, it has
paid out more for pensions and bounties
to soldiers and sailors of the republic than
was ever paid before during an equal pc
Rod. 1t has adopted, and constantly pur-
sued, a firm and prudent foreign policy,
preserving peace with all nations, while
sc~rupulously maintaining all the rights
and interests Of our own government and
people, at home and abroad. The exclu-
sion from our shores of Chinese laborers
has been effectually secured under a
treaty, the operation of which has been
postponed by the action of the Republican
majority of the senate. In every branch
and department of the government under
Democratic control the rights and welfare
OF all the people have been guarded and
defended, every public interest has been
protected and the equality of all our citi-
zens before the law, without regard to
race or color, has been steadfastly main
tanned, Honest reform in civil service
has been inaugurated and maintained by
President Cleveland, and he has brought
the public service to the highest standard
of efficiency, not only by rule and precept
but by example of his own u%ntiring and
unselfsh administration of public af-
fairs, Upon its record thus exhibited,
and upon a pledge Of y
CONTINUANCE TO THE PEOPLE
of the benefits of Democracy the party
invokes a renewal of popular trust by the
re- reelection of the chief magistrate who
has been faithful, able and prudent, to