Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-06-15

Auu HOW we SUdLu OH ULle etlsS6 Ol tHObHeE duu
perhaps greater contest, with relation to the
electors that we have not held for a generation
that of responsibility for the great trust of gov.
eminent. We are longer auditors, but
countants. No longer critics, but the criticised.
The responsibility is ours, and if we have not
taken all the power necessary to make that re-
sponsbiiy good the fault is ours, not that of the
people. We are confronted by willy, unscrupu.
lous and desperate foe. There will be no speck
on the record that they will not magnify into
blot, no circumstance that they will not
torture and misrepresent, no disappointment
that they will not exaggerate into revolt nc
class or creed that they will not seek to inflame
no passion that they will not attempt to rouse
no fraud that they will not willingly perpetrate
They fancy, indeed, that there is mo imposturd
too monstrous for the popular credulity,'' ne
crime that will not be condoned. But we stand
at guard, full armed at every point to meet them
Our appeal is not to passion or to prejudice, te
class or faction to race or creed, but to the
sound common sense, the interest, the intelli
gence and patriotism of the American people.
The administration of President Cleveland ha.
triumphantly justified his election. 1t compels
the respect, confidence and approval of the coun
try. The prophets of evil and disaster are dumb
What. the people see is the government of the
Union restored to its ancient footing of justice,
peace honesty and impartial enforcement OF
law. They see the demands of labor and agri
culture met so far as government can meet them
by legislative enacGmenCS Tor Unelr encourage
ment and protection They see the veterans Of
the civil war granted pensions long due them, to
the amount of more than twice in number and
nearly three times in value of those granted
under any previous administration. They see
more than thirty two millions acres of land, reck
lessy and illegally held by the grantees of the
corrupt Republican regime restored to the pub.
lie domain for the benefit of honest settlers.
They see the negroes, whose fears of Demo-
cratic rule were played upon by demagogues
four years ago. not only more fully
protected than by his pretended friends, bu
honored as his race was never honored before.
They see financial policy underswhich reckless
speculation has practically ceased, and capita.
freed from dstrust. They see for the first tima
an honest observance of the law governing the
civil establishment and the employees of the peo-
pie rid at last of the political highwayman witha
demand for tribute in one hand and letter of dis.
missal in the other. They see useless offices
abolished and expenses of administration re-
duced; while improved methods have lifted tbs
public service to high efficiency. They see tran
ouillity ORDER security and equal justice restored
in the land watchful, steady, safe and patriotic
administration, the solemn promise made by the
Democracy faithfully kept. 1t is IAN honest
government by honest man.
To the patriotic, independent citizens who four
years ago forSook their old allegiance and came
to our support, who since that time have noby
sustained the administration, the Democratic
party owes a deep debt of gratitude. That they
have been reviled and insulted by their former
associates is not only signal compliment to theit
character and influences, but another evidence OF
the decadence of the Republican party. Blind
worship of the machine-the political juggernaut
is exacted from every man who will take even
standing room in the party. The Democratic
temple is open to all, and if in council we cannot
agree in all things our motto IS: In essentials
unity; il nonessentials, liberty; in all things
charity" To all good men we say Come nl
Good will meier halted at the door stone" AS
foult years ago you voted With us TO
reform the administration, to conserve our
institutions for the well being of our common
country, SO join with us again in approval of the
work so well accomplished to complete what
remains uudone We ask you to remember that
it is fatal error to weaken the bonds OF polltI-
cal organization by which great reforms have
been achieved and risk them in the hands OF
their known adversares. -Four years ago you
trusted tentatively the Democratic party and
supported with zeal and vigor, its candidate for
president. You Thought him strong in all the
sturdy qualities requisite for the great task OF
reform Behold your splendid justification.
No president in time of peace had so difficult
and laborious duty to perform. His party mao
been out of power for twenty-four years. Every
member of it had been almost venomousy ex,
cuded from the smallest post where admins
tration could bo studied.
Every place was filed by men whose interest il
was to thwart Inquiry and belittle the new al
ministration. But the master hand came to the
helm, and the true course has been kept from tht
beginning, Wensed not wait for time to do justice
to the character and service of President Cleve.
land Honest, clear sighted, patient, grounded
in respect for law and justice; with a thorough
grasp of principles and situations with marvellous
and conscientious industry; the very incarnation
of tirmness-he has nobly fulfilled the promise
Of his party, nobly met the expectations OF his
country, and written his name high ON the scroll
where future Americans will read only the names
of men who have been supremacy useful to the
Republic
Fellow Democrats, this is but the initial meet.
ing in political campaign destined to be mem
orable. 1t will be clashing of nearly even
forces. Let no man here or elsewhere bettle OF
Andapestimate the strength or resources of tho
opposition. But great as they are, the old Dem.
ocratic party, in conscious strength and perfect
union faces the issue fearlessly.
The mention of President Clevelands name
by Chairman Collins was greeted with en-.
thusiastie cheering and waving Of canes and
hats At HAS, o'clock motion was made
for the roll call on nomination. Hensel, of
Pennsylvania. offered a substitute that no