The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-10


force and clearness the position OF the Demo-
cratic party upon that ques tion and 1t is our
duty now to complete urwork by nominating
a man whose words and deeds are better than
written pledge that he will faithfully per-
form the promise which our platform makes.
Who shall this man be?
If should ask this audience or If should
ask any audience assembled on the American
continent and under the American flag what
Democrat among the many splendid leaders OF
our party best represents the issue which we
have made and which must be decided at the
polls on the Sd of next November you and
every other audience would answer with the
name of Richard Bland, and, gentlemen of the
convention, he not only typifes the paramount
issue in the coming election, but he has been
fearless and consistent advocate of all of those
immortal principles of Democracy which our
ia theirs cherished and defended. Those who
doubt the wisdom of his nomination some
times venture to express the fear that he Is
not great enough to be our President To
them say: Inspect his record. For twenty
two years he sat in the Federal House of Rep
resentatives, and during. that time he voted
right as often and he voted wrong as seldom as
any man who ever occupied similar station
for an equal length Of time.
No ordinary man can safely pass this ex-
treme and crucial test, and the intelligent
voters of this land are willing to believe any
man who is wise enough always TO be rights
wise enough to be the Chief Magistrate of this
Republic.
And still better than his unerring common
sense is his unyielding honesty. In his person
he unites the highest qualities of an ideal can
didate. He is SO patriotic that he has always
put the love of country above the love of SELF
and second only to the fear of God. he is so
honest that no tain ted dollar ever touched his
hands; he is so brave that legion of his coun-
arr'c IT.
trust, ana his nomination will proclaim to the
millions who are proud to own their allie glance
to Democracy that the public good is again to
be exalted above private greed. :
The nomination of Mr.. Bland would reassure
the doubters. recall the Democratic wanderers
and inspire the masses with hopeful courage.
Nominate him, and in every home, whether
palace or cabin, it win be told how a great and
successful party has crowned with highest
honor private citizen because he has been
true to his own conscience aud loyal to the
best interests of his countrymen. But gentle
men OF the convention, whether your choice
Will be Bland or Boies, Matthews or Mclean,
or Kentucky's gifted son, the imperial COM
monwealth of Texas, with her more than
100000 majority, will take her place at the
head OF the victorious Democratic column.
Hon. Joseph Rawlins of Utah briefly
seconded the nomination of Bland.
Virginia being called in the roll of
States, the chairman stated that they had
been instructed to present the name of
Hon. John W. Daniel, but at his earnest
request and insistence did not do so.
The nomination of Mr.. Blackburn was
also seconded by ]. w. st. Clair, who said
that though they loved Bland and revered
Boies and honored Mclean and Matthews,
Blackburn was grander than them all.
[Cheers. Blackburn had carried Ken
lucky, Cleveland and Carlisle to the con-
trary notwithstanding. Blackburn had
been Confederate soldier, but the people
of the South had paid their share of Fed
eral taxes and helped to pay the pensions
of Union soldiers.
'Let that issue, therefore" he said, 'be
buried, and give US Southern candidate
once more"
When the State OF Wisconsin was called,
General Bragg, the picturesque old hero
chairman of the delegation, rising on
chair IN his place, said: wisconsin can
not participate in the nomination of any
man calling himself a Democrat upon a
Populist platform" [Cheers mingled with
hisses.l
One of the delegates from the State fol-
lowed, saying that on phe part OF some OF
the delegates from Wisconsin he desired
to second the nomination of Joseph Black
burn of Kentucky.
E. J. Dockery of Wisconsin then took
his place on the platform and said:
"My vote is stifed in this convention by
an un-Democratic unit rule, and l am,
therefore, prevented from having it re-
corded in favor of that idol of the conven-
ton, William J. Bryan of Nebraska, who
ought to be nominated; but 1 desire to
say, gentlemen of the convention,
that the people of the State
will give its electoral vote to the nominee
of this convention, whoever he may be, at
the election in November. [Cheersl That
candidate will not receive the votes of the
men who are in this convention claiming
to represent the Democracy of Wisconsin,
but the people will register their will at
the ballot-box."
Amid much confusion General Bragg
again arose and claimed the attention OF
the convention to say: with your kind
permission we will send out and make
search for another straggler, and if we are
successful, Wisconsin may yet pledge its
support to another candidate" Laughter
and Kisses.
At the close of the call of the roll of
States, the convention at 1885 A. NJ, adj
journed until 10 A. NJ, when balloting viii
be begun.