Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-06-13

b not agree in all things our motto is: In es
sentlals, unity; in non. essentials, liberty; il
y all things, charity To all good men VI
t say: Come in. Goodwill me- 'er halted a
e the doorstone.' As four years ago 20,
8 voted with US to reform the administration
: to conserve our institutions for the well
{ being OF our common country, 80 join will
US again in approval of the work 80 wei
i accomplished to complete what remain
+ undone. We ask you to remember that i
t is fatal error to weaken the bands of {
, political organization by which great re
i forms have been achieved and risk then
: In the hands Of their known adversaries
Four years ago you trusted the democratic
party and supported with zeal and vigor it,
, candidate for President You thought hin
7 strong in all the sturdy qualities requisit,
for the great task of reform.
SPLENDID JUSTIFICATION.
"Behold your splendid justification NJ
President In time of peace had so Difficult
and laborious duty to perform. His party
had been out of power for twenty four years
Every member of it had been almost venom
ously excluded from the smallest post where
administration could be studied. Every
place was filled by men whose interest il
was to thwart inquiry and belittle the new
administration, but the master band came
to the helm and the true course has been
kept from the beginning. We need not wal
for time to do justice to the character and
services of President Cleveland. Honest,
clear-sighted, patient, grounded in respect
for law and justice; with thorough grasp
of principles and situations; with marvellous
and Conscientious industry-the very incar-
ion, Nf I,a f-lG
the promise of his party; nobly met the ex.
pectations of his country and written his
name high on the scoOli where future
Americans will read the names of men who
have been supremely useful to the republic.
Fellow-democrats this is but the initial
meeting in political campaign destined to
be memorable. 1t will he clashing of
nearly even forces. Let no man here or
elsewhere helittle 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."
At the conclusion of Mr.. Collins's speech,
which was received with great enthusiasm,
all delegates named as vice presidents took
seats upon the platform.
A commu nication was received from the
committee appointed at the woman's suf-
frage convention in Washington, asking
permission to appear before the convention
and submit their views, with promise not
to occupy more than five minutes. The
reading of the communication was inter-
spersed with good natured laughter, and the
request was unanimously granted. Cries
came from all parts of the hall, 'Let US
hear them now )" "Let her CO." &C., &C.,
but the ladies, not anticipating such an i'm
M iot
present, and came near missing the oppor-
tunity to air their opinions when the con-
vention was in the most happy mood. Mrs.
Merriweather, who played such conspicu-
| GUS part in the Indianapolis convention, was
sent for, and made her appearance on the
stage in very few minutes. In the mean
time the convention, by unanimous and
rising vote, passed resolutions expressing
sympathy for Gen. Sheridan, submitted by
Mr.. Timothy J. Campbell, of New York.
A LADY's WOES.
Mrs. Merriweather was then introduced,
and received a storm of applause. She did
not seem to be in as good spirits as at In-
dianapolis, apparently realizing that the
hearts Of her hearers were not beating very
| warmly on her side. Her voice was so
weak as not to penetrate more than few
| feet beyond the platform, and she could not
but be disconnected at the continual calls of
'sLouder" and the continued applause
which came from those who could not hear
one word. She said, despairingly: Seen
tlemen, it is not often you are bothered with
lady, and you might listen to me for
minute or two" The chair also appealed
for order, but Mrs. Merriweather was forced
to conclude her remarks in confusion. But
she will have the satisfaction of seeing her
remarks in print, where they can be read
by the United States and the rest of man.
kind.
1t was announced that the committee on
the platform would not be ready to report
before eight o'clock that evening. Motions
to adjourn until that time and till the next
day were made, but the convention was in
disposed to throw away 80 much valuable
time. 1t was proposed to enter upon the
nominations, and the suggestion that this
was not customary until after the adoption
of the platform met with no favor. 1t was
determined by an overwhelming vote to
proceed with the nominations.
AN ALMOST UNPARALLELED SCENE.
After the preliminaries, Mr.. Daniel
Dougherty, of the New York delegation,
who had been selected to present Mr.. Cleve
land 8 name in nomination, advanced to the
deep, solemn voice, with dramatic and i'm
pressive gesture, with that flow of reason
and rhetoric for which he is famous, Mr.
Dougherty performed his task. Wild
cheers, hands, hats and handkerchiefs wav-
ed in the air, punctuated his well-rounded
sentences. and to the music of applause
were added the shrill squeaks of whistles
and the strains of miniature trumpets
which many delegates had brought with
them. The last two words of Mr.. Dough
erty's speech were "Grover Cleveland,
and this was the only time his name was
mentioned.
DANIEL DOUGHERTY' S SPEECH.
Mr.. Dougherty said 81 greet you, my
countrymen, with fraternal regard. In
your presence I bow to the majesty of the
people. The sight itself is inspiring, the
| thought sublime. You come from every
State and Territory. from every nook and
corner of our ocean-bound, continent-cover-
ing country. You are about to discharge
more than imperial duty with simplest
ceremonials. You, as representatives of
the people, are to choose magistrate with
power mightier than monarch, yet check
ed and controlled by the supreme law of
written constitution. Thus impressed, l
ascend the rostrum to name the next Presi-
dent of the United States. New York
presents him to the convention and pledges
her electoral vote. Delegations from the
thirty-eight States and all the Territories
are assembled without caucus or consulta-
tion, ready simultaneously to take up the
cry and make the vote unanimous. We are
here, not indeed to choose candidate, but
to name the one the people have already
chosen. He is the man for the people. His
career illustrates the glory of our institu-
tions. Eight years ago, unknown save in
his own locality, he for the last four has
stood in the gaze of the world, discharging
the most exalted duties that can be confided
to mortal. To-day determines that, not
of his own choice, but by the mandate OF
his countrymen and with the sanction of
Heaven, he shall fill the presidency for four
years more. He has met and mastered
every question as if from youth trained to
craftsmanship. The promises of his letter
OF acceptance and inaugural address have
been fulfilled. His fidelity in the past in
spires faith in the future. He is not a
hope. He is realization. Scorning sub
terfuge, disdaining reelection by concealing
convictions, mindful of his oath of Office to
defend the constitution, he courageously
declares to Congress, dropping minor mat
terS. that the SuDrema iSsua is rAfOrm. re-