The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-05


National Association Of Democratic
Clubs was held to-day in the Academy
OF Music. The hour at which the con-
vention was announced to be called to
order was 10 o'clock, but before o'clock
the delegates began to arrive and take
their seats. The entire orchestra and
first balcony had been reserved for the
delegates and they were divided off into
sections, representing every State and
Territory in the Union.
The delegates entertained themselves
by cheering vigorously as one after an
other prominent Democrat was seen to
enter and take his seat among the
audience upon the stage in one Of the
800 chairs there placed.
1t lacked but ten minutes of II o'clock
whe n the stage footlights blazed up and
the band burst into the strains of Hail
to the Chiet," and Grover Cleveland.
preceded by Hon. Chauncey F. Black,
of Pennsylvania, president of the Asso-
citation of Democratic Clubs, entered
upon the stage and took their seata on
the platform, Black at the speakers
table and Cleveland in the first row OF
seats behind him.
Instantly every man and woman In
the large audience sprang to their feet
and tremendous and enthusiastic cheers
were given, flags and handkerchiefs
waved, and for como minutes the Widest
excitement prevailed, Cleveland stand
ing bowling his acknowledgements When
the first outburst OF cheering had SUBJ
sided it was renewed in response to q
call for cheers for "Grover Cleveland,
the typical American" and again when
came the cry "What is the matter with
New York;" and there came the ready,
vigorous reply, "She's all right"
The first exhibition of patriotic feel
ing, hearty welcome and enthusiasm.
which filled the immense building and
was heard without and taken up by
those on tho street. was when the Vir-
ginia delegation walked slowly down
the aisle. Tho general tumult drowned
for few minutes the strains OF "Dixie"
and continued for many minutes and
"Dixie" was wildly cbeered. The ap.
plause had scarcely subsidized when it
was equalled by tho reception of the
Jefferson Club, Of Philadelphia, dozen
of whose members entered, headed by q
white satin banner, which they placed Oh
the platform. Two bands played at
once.
After the hall WAS we'll fl led and
band over on the left of the house had
played an old time Southern air an
enthusiastic delegate jumped to his feet
and shouted: "Three cheers for Dixie. {"
Northern and Western men got up and
cheered until the Southern delegates
we'll nigh Flushed for modesty.
1t was just IL o'clock when Chairman
Black advanced and address. ed the con-
vention, introducing Mr.. Cleveland.
The outburst OF applause that greeted
Cleveland's entranc, was surpassed by
that that greeted him as he stepped for
ward on the platform. 1t was several
minutes before he could speak. When
he could make himself heard he said:
"MR PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: It
affords me especial pleasure to el tend
you TO on this occasion hearty welcome.
AS citizen OF this proud municipality
l am glad TO assure you that our hospi-
tally is always open and generous. In
behalf of this community, distinguished
for its Americanism and federation in
all mattera OF belief and Judgment,
know l may extend a cordial greeting
to those who here represent political
though tfulness and sincorlty. AS an
unyielding and con sistent believer in
Democratic principles l trust need not
hesitate to pledge to the representatives
of organized Democracy the good will
and fraternal sympathy of this Demo
cratic city. Your meeting Is council
OF war which precedes dec. sive battle
and your deliberations should be prep
Grafton for stern conflict. All your
weapons and all your equipments arc
soon to be tested. You have organized
and labored and you have watched aud
planned to insure yonr readiness for the
final engagement now near at haad.
This, then ia no holiday assomhlare
but an i'm pressive convention in further
ance of designs and purposes for the
accomplishment of which you and those
you represent arc banded together.
''These designs as declared by your
association are: The preservation Of the
constitution OF tho United States; the
autonomy Of the States, local self-gov-
eminent and freedom of elections; Cd.
position to imposition of taxes beyond
necessities ofgovernment, economically
administered and promotion of economy
in al branches of the public service.
These professions embody the purest
patriotism and Hottest aspirations of
American citizenship. Though at all
times they should suggest to us strong
est the obligation to political effort,
their motive force, as incentives to poll
teal activity and watchfulness, should
be irresistible at time when the con.
stitution is hold in light esteem as
against the accomplishment of selfish
purposes, when State boundaries are
hardly barrier to centralized power
and when local selfgovernment and
freedom Of elections are the scott Of par.
tisanship. Those who subscribe to the
creed OF this association and make any
claim to sincerity can hardly excuse
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