Year: 1872

radical party be continued, The thinking men Of
both parties have been allye to the fact that we
sf dns The cV ar Authority IN many sgatss tae
Union that by the enactment or arbitrary and
unGonstitqtlonal Il, laws through gePrayed
are infrlnged and trampled upon, and that


CAEsARisM AND GENERALIZATION


a.. are Undermining the very foundations OF our our
constitutional t buiwarks Iva created by the wisdom
OF the Father OF the Republic; that abuses
best men OF the republican party have sew
cred themselves from the radical wing which
s trying to s country nSt
and despotism; and whatever individual opinion
we may entertain as TO the choice Of the candidate
Grant, there cannot be any doubt Of the patriotic i'm
pulses which dictated their action nor can any fault
be found with the platform Of principles upon which
they have placed their candidates. The resolutions
OF the Cincinnati Convention are what the country
REQUIRES, and they must command the hearty
extent OF our land. In the struggle which
is before us we must look to principles and
not to men, and trust that no personal predilec.
tions or prcjudices will deter us from doing our
auty @ 10 0 the American people; General Grant was
stubborn and ind0mitable courage has helped to
crown the Union arms with Victory, and the Ameri.
can people have rewarded his services with the
most unbounded generosity am willing to con-
cede that his intentions on taking the Presidential
chair were good ana patriotic but he has most sig
trust imposed upon him by the confidence of
grateful people. He is at this moment the very


PERsoNIFlCATIoN OF THE MIsRULE


which Is expressing us, and his reelection Is
fraught with the most deplOrable conse
quences for the welfare of the republic and en-
hand, Mr. Greeley has been heretofore Si bitter m i op
Of the AND s aSe
time to time appeared In his journal certainly do
not cntitle him to any sympathy or preference at
my hands. But Mr.. Greeley represents the ma
tional and constitutional principles ofthe Cincinnati
platform, and by his admirable and manly letter of
acceptance he has shown that he is fully alive to
their spirit and that If elected he means carry
them out honestly and faithfully should you,
therefore, IN Your wisdom, decide to pronounce in
cheeruv bury all nast derencss ana s vote tor omG onG
labor for their election with the same zeal and
energy with which have supported heretofore,
and mean ever to support, the candidates OF the
democratic party. The American people look with
deep socitude to your deliberations. It Is for you
evils under which they are suffering. But In order
to attain that end you are called upon to make
every ,.


SACRIFICE OF PERSONAL AND PARTY PREFERENoEs.


However much you might desire to fight the conf
ing battle for our rights and liberties under one
win lib become your duty to discard ali consldeya tons
of party tradition II the selection Of II good and
wise man outside of our ranks offers better chances
Of success. You must remember that you are
here not only as democrats but as citizens OF
our common country and that no sacrifice can be
too great which she demands at your hands. And
now, before propose to your acceptance the tenn
pOrary Chairman of this Convention, permit me to
detan you one moment longer by a few words or
an entirely personal character. With my present
action terminates my official functions as Chairman
of the National Democratic COMMITTEES, an office
which, by the confidence Of my constituents and
twelve consecutive years. During all that time
ns sn ans %a %Sca ze Sns as Tn %
do my duty faithfully to the party and to the
country and TO ] render myself WORT Worthy wos oI
grieved and deeply mortified to see at various
times my


MOTIVES AND ACTIONS MIscoNsrRUED


by several democratic papers, and that some
even descended to the fabrication of the most alb
surd falsehoods concerning my social ana pOlitcal
conduct, have the proud and c0nsoling satisac-
tion that my colleagues on the National Committee,
and all those who know me, did Justice TO the In In
ing situations In which my official position had
placed me; and let me tell you, gentlemen, that
there is not one among you who bears warmer
and truer anectiOn for our party ana our country
than have done, ever shall DO You love the
great republic, your native land az YOU do the
cherished bride and choice of my youth, the faith.
full and loving companion of my manhood, and
now that enter upon the sere and yellow lear O
! life cling to her with all the fond recollections OF
| the manifold blessings received at her hands. re
tire from the position which have held to take my
place in the rank and file OF that great party whose
national, constitutional and conservative prin
cipes have claimed my unwavering allegiance fol
the last thirty years. and as long as the Almighty
| will spare my life shall never falter in my love
and devotion to our party and our country
temporary Chairman a distinguished and vener
able citizen of virginia,


GRANDSON or THE PATRIOT AND STATESMAN
THOMAS JEFFERSON.


1t is an auspicOus omen that scion OF the author
of the Declaration of independence is to naugurate
the struggle Of the democracy for freedom and
| equality for every America n citizen, and against
oppression and tyranny in our fair land.
! Mr.. Belmonts remarks were frequently inter
rupted by applause. The mention of Greeey's
name was received with loud demonstrations o
approval; so were the speakers personal references
to himself. In conclusion he said:-


| have the honor to propose the maine of Hon
! Thomas Jefferson Randolph, OF virginia, as YOU
temporary chairman.


Music by the band, 'Dixie"


MR.. RANDOLPH's SPEECH.


Mr.. RANDOLPH took his seat amid cheers, and
when the music ceased he spoke as follOws:-
am aware that the very great honor conferred
on me by this body is due to no personal merit OF
my own, but token OF respect to the State from
which come, and recognition of other circum
stances-pOssibly adventtlous. ! am perhaps the
oldest member of this body and life Of eighty
years spent in the democratic republican party con
stitutcs me senior member.


! REMEMBER FRESHLY EVERY PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST
from the first election of Jefferson to the present
time, and can say with truth that ! remember
personal liberty local selfgovernment, honest
administration and constitutional freedom than
the present, or which demanded OF
our party and our people. a more
earnest response to prudential principles.
body to wrest the government from the hands OF
its present despotic and corrupt holders, and to
place 1t in honest hands, to restore to the citizens
everywhere the proud consciousness OF personal
right, and to all the States perfect integrity of Local
sefgovernment. This, with the recognition OF the
supremacy OF the civil constitution and the law
will, in my judgment, discharge all our present
duty. (Applause.)


The foregoing remarks were delivered with mucn
energy and effectiveness considering the speaker
is nearly al 0ctogenarian), and were repeatedly
cheered.


Rev. HENRY SLrCER was then introduced, and
opened the proceedings with prayer, as follows:-


OPENING PRAYER


Almighty God, Maker of All Things, Redeemer,
Preserver and Judge OF all Men, we come before
Thee with hearts full of gratitude for the mercies
which have been lavishcd on us In the past and at
the present, and with hope and confidence In Thee