The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1888-07-05
WHAT CLEVELAND SAID.
THE COMMITTEE FORMALLY NO.
TIFIES HIM OF HIS

facy.
Last week Chairman Collins, ac-
companied by delegates from nearly
every State in the union and by the
members of the national committee,
called ut the executive mansion at 2
o'clock and were ushered into the east
room. This room was fragrant with
the perfume of flowers, which were
banked against the great mirrors, and
from plants and flowers which were
set against the walls, a hollow square
was formed from west to east. Into
this square the President came, follow
ed by MIS-. Cleveland on the arm of
Secretary Bayard.
speech on behalf of the National Dem
ocratic Committee rendered Mr.. .Cleve-
land the nomination for President by
the Democratic party. He WIS fol-
lowed by Mr.. Jacob, chairman OF the
notification committee, who delivered
an address, signed by the members of
the committee from the several States,
among whom was Mr.. Thos. w.
Strange, of Wilmington, N. G.
Mr.. Thomas Pettitt, Secretary of
the committee, then handed the Pres
ident handsomely engrossed copy of
the platform upon which he was 1om-
mated. The president bowed his ac-
acknowledgements. Standing erect with
head thrown back, with but few ges-
lures, but with an earpestness that was
impressive and an enupciation that
was deliberate and clear, he replied.
az cannot but be profoundly m
pressed when | see about me the mes
sengers of the National Democracy
bearing its summons to duty. The
political party to which l owe both
allegience and honor command me.
1t places in my hand its proud stand
ard and bids me bear it high at the
front in the battle which it wages
bravelv because conscious of right,
confidently because its trust is in the
people and soberly because it compre-
hends the obligations which success
imposes.
The message which you bring awak-
ems within me the liveliest sense of
personal gratitude and satisfaction
and the honor which you tender me
is in itself so great that there might
we'll be no room for any other senti-
ment. And yet cant rid myself of
grave and serious thoughts wen / re-
member that party supremacy is not
alone involved in the conflict which
presses upon us, but that we struggle
to secure and save the perished insti-
tutions, the welfare and the happiness
of nation of freemen.
Familiarity with the great Office
which I hold has but added to my
apprehension of its sacred character
and the conservation demanded of him
who assures its immense responsibility.
1t is the repository of the peoples
will and power. Within its vision
should be the protection and welfare
of the most humble citizen and with
quick ear it should catch from the re-
motest corner of the land the plea of
the people for justice and for right
For the sake of the people he who
holds this office of theirs should resist
every encroachment on its legitimate
functions, anu for the sake of the in
tegrity and usefulness of the Office it
should be kept near to the people and
be administered in full sympathy
with their wants and needs.
This occasion reminds me most viv-
idly of the scene when, four years ago,
received a message from my party
similar to that which you now deliver.
With all that has passed sincce that
day can truly say that the feeling of
awe with which heard the summons
then is intensified many fold when it
is repeated now. Four years ago
knew that our executive Office, if not
carefully guarded, might DRIFT little
by little away from the pc ople to whom
it belonged and became perversion
of all it ought to be. But I did not
know how much Its raoorings had al.
ready been loosened.
! | knew four years ago how well de-
/ vised weie the true principles of true
Democracy for the successful opera.
ton of the government by the people
and for the people, but did not know
how absolutely necessary their applica
tion then was for the restoration to the
people of their safety and prosperity
| knew then that abuses and extrav.
agances had crept into the manage
nnent of public affairs, but / did no,
know their various forms, nor the
tenacity of their grasp. I knew then
something of the bitterness of partisan
obstruction, but did not know how
bitter, how reckless and how shameless
/ it could be. prolonged applause)
/ knew, too, that the American people
| we're patriotic and Just, but ! did moi
know how grandly they loved theil
country nor how noble and generous
they were,
/ l shall not dwell ON the acts ane
the policy of the administration nov
drawing to its close. Its record i
! open to every citizen of the land. Ans
| yet / will not be denied the privileg
Of asserting at this time that in th
exercise of the high trust confded +
me / have yielded obedience only +
the Constitution and the solemn ouli
CATION of my oath of Office. I hav
done those things which, in the ligh
of the understanding God has give
me, seemed most conclusive to th
welfare of the country and the prom
ton of good government. woul
not if I could. for myself nor for 20,