Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1888-06-16
IN PROSPECTIVE.

anu great nope. Inc unanlmlty OF
sentiment, the matches decision of
peoples voice, and the staunch COLI
servatism to party lines and living
issues was a most notable feature in
the sessions of that great body. No
opportunity of such magnitude and
like promise has ever yet been placed
before the American people for the
PRONUNCIATION of Democratic prin-
ciples. With this nomination of
Cleveland and Thurman is marked
out the first epoch in the history of
the great Democracy of tariff revision,
reduction and reform. The evolution
of the Democratic spirit which has
slowly forced itself upon the public
mind during the present administra-
ton of Cleveland finds a promise of
development but scarcely expected
in his second nomination.
There was but little of the unusual
or unexpected in the character of
business brought before the conven-
ton. Democratic faith seemed to be
so centered in the two great names
now forming the ticket that line Of
decisive action was easily agreed up
on. The Republican papers sneering-
ly speak of this characteristic feature
as being "spiritless," showing a lack
of confidence and betraying in every
instance a heartlesS and insincere en-
thusiasm. But it is the dawn Of an
era of matter of fact, directed in the
spirit of encouragement to progress
sive yet prudent and discriminating
government. The business like man
ner which characterized the workings
of the convention is but in keeping
with that staid and discreet manage
ment of national affairs which has
been so noticeable since Cleveland's
Inauguration.
The policy of the Cleveland reform
is not one founded alone on the tariff
issue. He has brought with him as
President of an established Republic
an individuality of administration
scarcely ever known before. He has
uprooted the traditions of his office
by the encouragement Of measures
drafted at the demand of the present
time. He has lifted to popular APP
probation those principles of official
economy which in his bold, aggres.
sive policy he has inaugurated as an
essential factor of prudent and just
administration. AS diplomatic, the
Democratic party have already the
congratulations of a pleased people,
and in home policy, previously SC
complicated with party antagonism;
and trammeled by Star Chamber con
ferences, Cleveland has shown him
self a great interpreter Of public
needs, springing from the desuetudt
of resources at hand or an extrava
giant and indiscriminate misuse. Ir
domestic affairs Cleveland has il
every instance held a strong policy
establishing the rights of the people
as opposed to the domination of bust
ness trusts and political combines.
There was much discussion in the
rooms of the Committee on Resolu
lions concerning the tariff plank O
the platform. The opposing partie.
were led respectively by Mr.. Waiter
son and Senator German.
Mr.. Watterson favored simply tn,
Endorsement of the Presidents mes
sage to Congress, but the Gormanite
clamored for the platform of 1884
The fight on this point lasted TO
two days and Mr.. Watterson finall,
succeeded in having a preambl
adopted which read substantially a
follows:
"The Democratic party in Nationa
Convention assembled renews tn
fidelity to Democratic principles a
laid down in the platform of 1884
1 and correctly interpreted by the mes
sage of the President on the openin,
, of the Fiftieth Congress-"
This is a fair example of the sue
cinctness and point of style main
tanned throughout the platform
, After the platform supplementary
, resolution was adopted endorsing tn
Mills Bill. This was believed to b
of vital importance to its passage i
. Congress, as several kilograms wer
received from prominent member
urging Mr.. Watterson to see that
should receive the unanimous il
dorsement of the convention.
o After the platform was read Nj
Watterson came before the CONVEX
ton amid vigorous applause an
made few happy remarks concern
ing the good feeling existing betwee
good Democrats on this occasion, an