The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-06-08
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION,

1nb Nhl1ONhh OVN lON,
The Democratic National Conven-
tion is assembled this week at st. Louis
for the purpose of nominating candi-
dates for President and Vice President
Of the United States. Cleveland's re-
nomination unanimously has been con-
ceded on I'll sides, and while there
was an effort made to put Senator
Gray on the second place on the ticket,
it is now certain that Allen q. Thur
man of Ohio will be nominated for
Vice President.
There were 10000 people in Music
Hall when Chairman Barnum called
the convention TO order at noon on
Tuesday. Samuel M. w. White of
California was elected temporary chair.
man, and on taking his seat he said:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION I:
Profoundly grateful for the distinction
Just conferred upon me, am never
the less conscious that l have been
chosen for this position because of
your appreciation of that important
section of our common country from
whence come. l congratulate you
not merely as Democrats, but as
American citizens on the encouraging
circumstances which attend the inau.
guration of our proceedings.
Up to the late Presidential election
the Republican party declared that
Democratic success meant national ruin,
and that whatever might be said OF
the crimes and transactions Of those
then in authority, yet to no other keep.
ing could the welfare of the United
States be safely con6ded. This doc
trine was repudiated at the polls and
the experience of almost four years has
demonstrated that those charges were
unwarranted and that the people were
right in demanding and compelling q
radical change.
The platform of principles adopted
at our last National Convention pre-
scribed with accuracy the rules of con-
duct which should control govern
mental action. Grover Cleveland was
selected by that convention as man
whose firmness, ability, integrity and
statesmanlike qualities pre-eminently
fitted him to undertake the task OF
carrying out the great reforms thus
suggested by the organization to whose
tenets he had ever been ready to yield
compliance. No public servant ever
responded to the call of duty more fully
or in better faith than our honored
President. transformations in the dis
charge of his trust, he has never failed
to apply to affairs of State those sound
business maxims the observance OF
which is even more necessary in public
than in private station.
For years it has been generally con.
ceded that it was necessary to reform
the tariff. The existing law on the
subject had been called into being dur.
ing the excitement and because of the
exigencies of war. The Republican
party, while not denying the necessity
for reform, has ever failed to suggest
any remedy and has univer sally thwart
ed the efforts of the Democracy to af
ford the needed relief.
The present administration has real
lied the promise made by the Demo
cratic Convention of 1884. 1t hal
sought to reduce taxation and lighter
the burdens of the people and to re
duce the revenue 80 as to prevent un
due accumulation in the Treasury, ant
has at the same time taken the requis
ite steps to foster and protect dOmes
tic industries. 1t has discouraged tn,
Capitalization of wealth and has ena
bled,so far as circumstances would per
nit, those in the less favored walks o
life to enjoy the benefits of their exer
tions. In other words, the Democra
tic administration has set its utmost en-
deavors to carry out the platform OIL
which our great reform victory wa
achieved. If the tariff has not been mo
dified it is because Of the Republican
obstruction. A new generation ha
come upon the scene. They love thei
country better than the delusion of al
empty name. They know that th
glory and advancement. of the republi
is dependent on general cooperation
While they glory in their fathers hero
ic deeds; they yet believe that unkin
words and exaggerated references to tn
past are not promotive of present har
nony, of future prosperity and that a
administration which treats alike an
recognizes that there is no distinctio
before the law of race or section is bes
calculated to further the general intel
est and to perpetuate the blessings G
liberty.
The honest, intelligent elector who's
Judgment is untainted by prejudice
prepared to again entrust this govern
ment to the Democratic party. Th'
that party has accomplished so muc
Notwithstanding the continued oppos
tion of its foes, is ample evidence th
during the next four years its poll.
will be finally and completely adopte
The coming contest will result in Il
triumph of Democracy The nomine
of this convention will be the chose
representatives Of the people, and if '
do our duty the Republican party W
henceforward be unable to retard II
progress of our country.
Grover Cleveland was nominated
President by acclamation Wednesda
The Vice President was not named, b
everything indicates that Thurm
will be nominated witho ut opposition
A DastardIy Deed.