The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-09-03

Thereupon most delegates jumped to
their feet, shouting and waving their
state banners, followed by three cheers.
Senator Palmer said:
"Gentlemen>: Ihave the honor for
moment to preside over the first ma.
tional convention held in the year 1896.
[Cheers.] The gavel will be in my
hands but for a moment. We are as
sembled here for lofty, noble and pa
triotic purposes. (Cheers.l Our earnest
desire is to serve our country, tcries
of right, right, and cheersl and in the
sincerity of that earnest purpose we
may appeal to the Judge of all hearts.
[Applause.l We may appeal to the
great master, the Great Governor,
Senator Palmer then introduced Bish-
op White Of the diocese of Indiana, who
read brief prayer, for which the dele
gates rose. Senator Palmer then an.
nounced that the secretary would read
Congressman Cultivate of Ohio was
recognized by a breezy burst Of hand
clapping. This applause punctuated
every telling point of the call.
In reading the reference to "Jeffer.
son, Jackson and Cleveland Mr..
Ou.hwaite put particular stress upon
Mr.. Cleveland's name, and brought the
cheers, louder than any which had gone
before.
The call finished, Chairman Palmer
introduced Mr.. Brennan of Wisconsin,
who read the report of the national
committee. The recommendation that
the rules which governed the last Dem
ocratic convention, which was held in
1892, should govern this convention was
cheered to the echo. The report rec
commended Ex-Governor Flower Of New
York for temporary chairman and John
B. Wilson of Indiana for temporary
secretary. The mention of Ex-Governor
Flowers name was the signal for a
burst of applause, which swelled into a
| war cry. Ex-Governor Jones of Ala
sachusetts escorted the distinguished
New Yorker to the stage. Senator
Palmer shook hands with the ex-gover
nor, who bowed in response to the
| demonstration. Governor Flower read
his speech from manuscript III a clear
voice. 1t was frequently interrupted
with applause.
This gathering is notice to the world
| that the Democratic party has not yet
| surrendered to Populism and anarchy.
| The true principles of Democracy, ex-
lnl Inv Inffo III iGx,<1
| through century Of national history, are
not dead because those principles have
been repudiated by n convention calling
| itself Democratic, but controlled by un-
| Democratic influences. Those are true
| Democrats who remain true to the prin-
| ciples of their party and who refuse to be
| bound by party declarations which betray
| party faiths and threaten both party and
| country with disaster.
BY our presence here we emphasize the
genuine character of our Democracy and
demonstrate the patriotic nature of our
partisanship. There have been numerous
instances in political history where, in the
name of party loyalty, men have justified
their non-support Of party platforms or
candidates, and in too many cases has the
movement failed because when analysed
Its inspiring influence was fornd to be
nothing higher thana
Desire to Avenge Disappointed Ambitions
| or to overthrow a political organization.
No such sordid motive can be charged
against this gathering. No Democrats
here sought honors from those who
framed the Chicago platform. Every Dem
ocrat here has only political humiliation
to expect in the event Of the success OF
the Chicago ticket. No Democrat hon
ored here by being made the candidate OF
this convention can look forward with
any reasonable hope to an election. None
of us who help to nominate him can ex
pect to be participants in any distribution
of political favors. We are here because
We love the Democratic party and because
we love our country. That is the inspira
ton which has drawn us together and en-
encourages our action. That is the fact
| which evidences our sincerity and make.
our cause strong with the people. Fol
myself, can say that for over half cen
tury have been unfiinching in my sup
port of Democratic principles, and l dc
not propose to give them up now, even il
have to bolt my party platform and tht
ticket in order to maintain those prin
ciples.
Test Of True Democracy.
l have lived and worked for my party II
town and county where Democrat
were 80 few that 1t was only by acciden
we have elected even a constable once O
twice in a decade. The chief complain
which my political critics have mad
against my acts in public life has beer
that have been too much Of q Demo
cratic partisan-too devoted to the inter
ests Of my party. But in test of partisan
ship never have been better friend Of tn
Democrat party than feel am today il
joining with those who would save tn
party from the abyss towards which 1t ha
thrown itself Dear to me Is the Democ
racy upon whose principles l have beel
reared and for whose success l have la
bored in season and out. Dear to me ar
the teachings of those great Democrats
jefferson, jackson and Tilden, who,
alive today, would stand with us fo
party and public honor. And because
love my party and my country l am her
to do what can to shield them from dar
gerous attack.
Financ nj Plank Not the Worst.
The danger of the Chicago platform