Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-07-06
President Cleveland's Model Speech.

On Wednesday of last week, the COM
mittee appointed by the National Demo-
cratic Convention at st. Louis, went to the
White House and officially informed Mr..
Cleveland of his nomination. In reply the
President said
81 cannot but be profoundly impressed
when l see about me the messengers of the
national democracy bearing its summons
to duty. The political party to which
owe allegiance both honors and commands
me. 1t places in my hand its proud stand
ard and bids me bear it high at the front
in battle which it wages bravely because
conscious of right; confidently, because its
trust is in the people, and soberly, because
it comprehends the obligation which sue
cess imposes. The message which you
bring awakens within me the iveliest
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 sentiment. And yet I
cannot rid myself of grave and serious
thoughts when remember that party SUI
premacy is not alone involved in the con-
fict which presses upon us, but that we
struggle to secure and save the cherished
institutions, the welfare and the happiness
OF nation OF 1reemen.
Familiarity with the great Office which
I hold has but added to my apprehension
of its sacred character and the consecra-
ton demanded of him who assumes its i'm
mense responsibilities. 1t is the repository
of the peoples will and power. Within its
vision should be the protection and welfare
of the humblest citizen; and with quick
ear it should catch from the remotest cor
ner 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 upon its
legitimate functions; and for the sake of
the integrity 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 wildly
of the scene when, four years ago, re-
ceived 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 I
knew that our Chief Executive office. if
not carefully guarded, might drift little
by little away from the people to whom it
belonged and become a perversion of all
it ought to be; but I did not know how
much its moorings had already been loos-
ened. I knew four years ago how we'll
devised were the principles of true democ-
racy, for the successful operation of
government by the people and for the peo-
pie; but I did not know how absolutely
necessary their application then was for
the restoration to the people of their safety
and prosperity. knew, then, that abuses
had ,&o %ha
agement of public affairs, but did not
know their numerous forms nor the tenac-
ity of their grasp. I knew, then somes
thing of the bitterness of partisan construc-
ton, but did not know how bitter. how
reckless and how shameless it could be- [
knew, too, that the American 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. It's record is open to every
citizen of the land.
'sAnd yet will not be denied the privi-
lege of asserting at this time that in the
exercise of the functions of the high trust
confded to me I have yielded obedience
only to the constitution and to the solemn
obligation of my oath of Office. I have done
those things which, in the light of the un-
Outstanding God has given me, seemed
most conducive to the welfare of my
countrymen and the promotion of good
government. I would not if I could, for
myself nor for you, avoid a single conse-
quence of fair Interpretation of my
course.
eft hut remains for me to say to you,
and through you to the democracy of the
nation, that I accept the nomination with
which they haye honored me, and that I
will in due time signify such acceptance
in the usual formal manner"