Year: 1875

pointed but he showed them cheerful face AFTER
all and received general praise for his conduct under
somewhat trying circumstances.


rHK PRocEEDsGs


Mr. Wood called the meeting 70 order and, in few
remarks alluded 10 the Importance OF the position for
which the body was thea, 70 select man, and the
necessity OF bearing mind the results OF the choice
upon the future Of the party and tho welfare OF the
country. He then nominated Mr.. Lamar or MSsis-
sppL to be chairman or the caucus which was in
cordance with previous arrangement and the nomi-
nation being al confirmed Mr. Wood led Mr.
Lamar 20 the chair On assuming the chair Mr. Lamar
made brief but pertinent and in parts eloquent
address, which listened 70 with deep attention and
received with applause. After thanking the caucus for
the honor il had conf erred on him he said


SPEECH or MR. LAMAR.


We are confronted with crisis in the history OF the
democratic party Of the country which brings 70 cur
party grand opportunities but Is also freighted with
solemn responsibilities, and II we do not improve these
opportunities and rise TO responsibilities the fruits
OF the great political revolution which brings US here
to-day will be like the fruit that grows the accursed
sea The people Of this country, by an overwhelming
majority In States have placed the democratic party
after long exclusion from power IN possession q the
most imporan department or the federal government
When say important do not mean that IL Is the de-
partment invested with great emoluments. The de-
partments of patronage, those which hold the


GLITTERSG PRIzEs


and distinction the coordinate departments Of the
government which are still under the control Of our
political opponents The members OF the House OF
Rcpresen tatvee have no patronage whatever beyond
appointment Of naval and military cadets and uheir
compensation is barely adequate q life Of republican
simplicity and prudential economy. There are many
ofces the gift OF the Executive far profitable
and in the public esteem tar more distinguished than
that OF a seat the House OF Representatives. But
this branch is, nevertheless under matchess sys
tenn OF government the


BASIS oP OUR FABRIC


Of liberty. II is the only department OF the federal
government directly responsible TO the people OF che
country and receiving iis powers directly from their
hands, All the other departments Two three de-
grees removed from the people in the mode of their
selection and in the nature OF their responsibilities But
while the House Of Representatives thus responsible
TO the people, all the other departments of the govern
ment responsible to this body.


The people Of this country charged U.s. the dem
ocratc majority in this House. with the important duty
of bringing these coordinate branches of the govern
ment TO their just responsibility and thus, by
errng instinct or keen intelligence have blended
gether dnty interests and inclinations
There has been in the public mind conviction, pro-
found and all pervading, that


rHE CIVIL SERVICE


or this country has been directed from motives OF
hon esly and for the public good but from considera
tons OF party profit and for corrupt designs and that
il demands at our hands reform sweeping and
thorough (Applause.l There Is also imperative de-
mand that vigiant examination be made into The ad-
mlnstraon OF the pubic of the country both
in its collection and disbursement that all accounts
shall be examined, as il is the solemn privilege and
ferretted and wrongdoers matter how high or
low, be fully exposed and punished There is grow
Ing and irresistible sentiment IN the country that
under the specous theory of protecting and fostering
particular industries or anGerests, body OF


NIscALLzD REVENUE LAWS
have been enacted 10 the &etriment OF all the other
great interests Of the country aad expense of the
public revenue. One Of the highest and most pressing
demands upon us win be not only 70 bring down the ex
Denses Of the government to the point necessary TO an
economical administration but 10 >d0ps such system
'f taxation as will bring IN the retoired amount Of
revenue with the least burden to the pe~oe and that
burden equltably distributed and skifully 0sted


CURRENCY QUESTION
Owing to the exigencics Of one of those great 0tcr
,ecine struggles incident to tho life q
Utmost every great nation, and to the
and reckless wastefuiness OF party
power since this struggle ended, our people, our
business Investments our commerce and all the di- |
'ersifed interests Of the country suffering from
he evils of irredeemable paper currency. In meet
and grarnn. With the difficulties OF this perpexing
u6ject II will be the mission Of the democratic party 70
consent TO no that will impair the good faith
,f country tarnish the public honor or lower or
disturb the national credit or which can oostruct the
progress and prosperity OF the American Republic
Under the auspices by the acts OF the democratic
party here placed in charge of the nations reasure
the national debt must be paid in full and the hhtion
currency must be made equal TO that OF any nation
earth.


THE CONSTITUTION


Upon the part Of those who have been invested with
the political power and destiny Of country the
last fifteen years. IL has been frequent remark
and boast the Of constitutional politics had
closed that the questions OF constitutional limitations
and restrictions longer hinder delay the
legislation OF the government in its dealings with inan
cal economical and social subjects which, il said,
were the only matters worthy of public attention
And yet scarcely had these words been uttered than
these gentlemen found themselves struggling with the
most vital and questions concerned with the
conduct OF government The grandest aspiration of
the democratic party is and its crowning glory will be- 70
the constitution to It's pristine strength and
authority and make il the protection OF every section
of every and Of every human being Of every color
race or condition.


rHE NORTH AND THE SOUTH
The dstrust felt by part of the American people
toward another part-toward those who arrayed
against the union in the late war-has measuraby dis
appeared Is evidenced by the elections which have
brought here In It's stead fraternal feeling
has come which regards those OF whom ! speak |
fellow citizens Of the same great country and portion
of the great American brotherhood. And
the other hand, those OF the South of whom |
Of the representatives ready here to-day,
by their chosen representatives. honor any draft
which the American nation may draw upon their
patriotism and their faith in the glory and destiny of
American institutions The experiment that has been
introduced among them, based upon confidence in the
working OF local self government to solve any diff
Guilty connected with recent and social and political
transformations shall have open field and fair play.
development and its anplest success


THE SENTIMENT OF PATRIOTISM
1t has been said that the day OF sentimental politics
has passed away But gentlemen, there is section
OF this Union which asks for this great nutrment to
high spirited people. We want government thai we
can love; we hunger and thirst for patriotism that
shall be broad the country which the national
flag floats. And let me say hore that government
can do without this vital element II is the sentiment
which, acting upon free institutions and rcactlng
through them upon people, constitutes their public
spirit and political genius.


REFORM IN ADMINISTRATION.


Let rs not forget that the great victory Of last fall
which has brought here and which brings these
precious opportunities and great responsibilities was
achieved alone by democratic votes but by the
operating efforts Of patriotic men of all parties who,
weared and alarmed by the evils Of maadministration
and corrupt government, have chosen 10 help as 70
power the hope that shall reform the evils under
which the country groans is duty to fulfil these
expectations selfish interests lead in the
paths We only restore party to the confidence
Of the country by showing the people that deter
mined TO give them honest government, econom-
ical administration and unoppressive collection of
the taxes and by proving that devoted to the
prosperity Of the people and the glory Of the Union


Mr.. Lamar's speech was frequently interrupted by
applause and received a important declara-
ton of principles by Southern democrat


NOMINATIONS


After voting down several proportions admit con-
testing members % part IL the proceedings and to re-
ceve two Louisiana members who had provided them
selves with certificates from McEnery nominations
we're made Samuel J. Randall was nominated BY Mr.
Hester clymer, Michael G. Kerr BY Mr. Holman and