Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-14
CHAIRMAN COLLINS ADDRESS.
He Coner atuIates the Party on Its SPLEEN.
did ACHIEVEMENTS, aid EGIogizes
Cleveland.

The speech of Gen. Patrick a Collins,
on taking the chair OF the convention, was
in cart as follows:
To stand III your favor in this place, so
often tillei by the foremost men in our
great party, IS q distinction OF the highest
character and an honor for which | am
profoundly grateful. IN performing the
delicate and difficult service to which YOU
have assigned me l can scarcely hope to
Justify the wisdom of your choice. I shall
at all times need a continuance Of your in
diligence and courtesy, as well as your
full cooperation, to promote order
decorum and goodwill until the proceed
inGs are brought to Il happy close We
represent in this convention more than
thirty millions of American people We
bear their commission to act for them
and their injunction to act with all the
wisdom that God has given us TO protect
and safe guard the institutions OF the
republic as the fathers founded them
The hand that framed the immortal
declaration of independence is the hand
that gave the principles upon which our
government can safely rest; upon which
the peace, prosperity and liberty of the pcO-
pie depend-the apostle of democracy
Thomas jefferson. Add TO these the golden
economic rule thatnO more taxes should be
levied upon the people in any way than are
necessary to meet the honest expenses of
government, and you have Il body of princi-
death to every party hithert0; to sin against
which in the future will be political suicide
True to these principles, the democratic
party fought successfully our foreign
wars, protected our citizens in every cline,
compelled the respect Of ali nations for
our flag, added imperial domain TO our
territory, and insured peace, prosperity,
and happiness to all our people. Our
standard must be the rallying point now
and i'll the future for all good citizens who
love and cherish republican institutions.
who love liberty regulated by the c0nsti-
tuition anu the law, who believe i'll Il gov
eminent OF all the people, by all the peo-
pie, and for all the people.
The day OH which Grover Cleveland took
the oath OF office marked the close of an
old era and the beginning of a new oae.
1T began the era of perfect peace and per-
feet union; public service conducted
with absolute integrity and strict ecOnO-
my. 10 the patriotic, independent cltI-
zenS who four years ago fJrSOOk their Old
allegiance and came to our support, the
democratic party owes deep debt OF graf
itude. To all good men we say: Come
in! Goodwill meier halted at the door
stone" -Four years ago you trusted ten
tatively the democratic party and sup
ported with zeal and VigOr its candidate
Tor president. You thought him strong
IN all the sturdy qualities requisite for the
great WORK of reform. Behold your Splen-
did justification.
Fellow democrats, this is but the initial
meeting IN political campaign destined
TO be memorable. 1t will be a clashing of
nearly even forces. Let no man here or
elsewhere belittle or underestimate the
strength or resources Of the opposition.
But great as they are, the old democratic
party, in conscious strength and perfect
union, faces the issue fearlessly.
Upon invitation the Vice-preSidentS took
ian, 11,%c, oil 1tIF. Ii,
mand1ng that the war taxes levied on all
kinds of articles for the private gains of
the lew, thereby creating an ariStocracy
maintained by despOtism, shall cease, was
offered by Mr.. Showalter. of Missouri.
anna applause, and referred. Virginia ;.
Murrey and E. A. Merriweather requested
III behalf of the Washington women 5
convention to be heard in behalf of woman
suffrage. and, Oh motion of Mr.. O'D0nGhue
OF New York. were granted fifteen min
uteS. A resolution was then adopted for
the reference of all resolutions relating to
the platform without reading or debate.
Mr.: Campbell offered resolutions ex-
pressing che heartfelt sympathy of the
convention for the serious and dangerous
illness of Gen. Pail. II. Sheridan. The
resolutions were adopted by rising vote
with three hearty cheers for the gallant
soldier.
An attempt was here made by Mr.. Pick
EFT to adjourn the convention until 10 a.
m. tomorrow, and the result was multi
tude of motions to adjourn, to adjourn I'M
til p. M, and to call the roll for nomlna-
tions. The motion to adjourn, construed
by the chairman to be sine die adjourn
ment, was voted down and after long
wrangle the call of the roll of states was
ordered. When Alabama was called Mr..
Peter of that state said:
Mr. Chairman: The delegation from
Alabama has instructed me to tender its
first place on the call and first right to
speak to the state OIL New York" LGreaE
applause.
The Chairman-'.The delegation from
the state OF Alabama desires TO surrender
its right to a nomination TO the delegates
from the state OF New York. The gen
tleman from New York. Mr.. Dougherty,
has the floor"