Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1888-07-05
CLEFELAND ACCEPTS.

appointed by the St. Louis Convention to
notify President Cleveland of his nomina-
tion for reelection performed that pleasing
duty. The President was briefly addressed
by Gen. Collins, chairman of the commit
tee, and the following is the magnificent
response:
81 cannot but be profoundly impressed
when see about me the messengers of the
National Democracy bearing its summons
to duty. The political party to which ] owe
alles lance both honors aud commands me.
1t places in my hand its proud standard and
bids me bear it high at the font in battle
which it wages, bcayely because cocscious Of
right confidently, because its trust is in
the people; and superbly, because it COM
prehends the obligations which success i'm
poses. The message which you bring AVA
kens within me the liveliest sense Of person
al gratitude and satisfaction, and the honor
which you tender me is in itself so G eat
that there might vel be no room for any
other seItimeot. And yet | cSDnotrid my
self of gave and serious thoughts wbeu l
remember tbat party supremacy is not alone
involved in the conflict which presses upon
Us, but that we struggle to secure and save
the cherished institutions, the welfare and
happcess of a natioo Of f-eemel.
Familiarity with the great Office which
l hold has but added to my appFehe Of
its sacred character and the conservation
demanded Of him who assumes its immense
responsibilities. IT is the repository Of the
peoples will and power. With It's vision
should be the protection and welfare of the
humblest citizen; and with quick ear il
should catch from the remotest corner of
the land the pea Of the people, for justice
and for right. For the sake Of the people
he who holds this Office Of theirs should re-
sist every encroachment upon its legitimate
functions and for the sake of the ioteSrity
and usefulness Of the Office it should be Kept
near to the people and be administered in
full sympathy with their wants aud needs.
"This occasion reminds me most viyidly
Of the scene when, four years ago, receiv-
ed message from my party similar to that
which you now deliver With all that has
passed since 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 Chief Executive office, if
not carefully guarded, might drift little by
little away from the people to whom it be-
longed and become perersion Of all it
ought TO be but | did not know how much
its moorings had already been loosed. |
knew four years ago how we'll devised were
the principles of true Democracy for the sue
cessful operation of government by the
people and for the people; but | did not
know how absolutely necessary their
application then was for the restoration 10
the people of their safety and prosperity. |
knew, then, that abuses and extravagances
had crept into the management of public
affairs but did not know their numerous
forms nor the tenacity Of their grasp. |
knew, then, something Of the bitterness of
partisan obstruction, but / did not know
how bitter, how reckless and how shameless
it could be. / knew, too, that the Ameri-
can people were patriotic and just, but / did
not know how grandly they loved their
country, nor how noble and generous they
were.
81 shall not dwell upon the acts and the
policy of the administration now drawing
to its close. its record is open to every cit
izen of the land.
"And yet will not be denied the privi-
lege of asserting at this time that in the ex-
ercise Of the functions Of the high trust con-
fded to me have yielded obedience only
to the constitution and to the solemn obli-
CATION of my oath Of oiice. ] have done
those things which, in the light Of the un-
derstanding God has given me, seemed most
conducive to the welfare Of my countrymen
and the promotion Of good government. /
wou ID not if could, for myself nor for you,
avoid single consequence Of fair inter-
probation OF my course.
1t but remains for me to say to you, and
through you to the democracy Of the nation,
that accept the nomination with which
they have honored me, and that / will in
due time signify such acceptance in the usu-
al formal manner"