Cleveland & Hendricks
tainM ly tie National
Democratic Conveation.
ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS.
GROVER CLEVELAND
FIRST DAI'S PROCEEDINGS.
The National Democratic convention opened
it Chicago in the building in which the Na-
Republican convention had been held a
nonth previous.
ACTION OF THE NEW TORE DELEGATION.
For weeks speculation has been rife con
cerning the probable choice of the conven.
aon, the chief interest centering in the struggle
!or and against Governor Cleveland's eandi
lacy in the New York delegation. On the day
previous to the opening of the convention the
seventy-two New York delegates met at their
leadquarters in the Palmer house and took
in informal ballot on thedelegates' choice for
I presidential candidate. The result was"
Cleveland, 46 votes; Flower, 23; Tilden, 1;
Bayard, 1 ; Thurman, 1. Upon formal
Fallot the vote resulted : Cleveland*
17 ; Slocum, 15; Bayard, 9; Flower,
I. A resolution was then offered that the
Airman of the delegation be instructed to
present Governor Cleveland's name to the con
tention, and that the chairman cast the 72
rotes of New York for him until further or
iers. The resolution was opposed by Messrs.
Reilly and Grady, and advocated by Colonel
Fellows. The delegation then took a recess ;
intil 4P. M. At the afternoon session
Messrs. Kelly and Grady again spoke against
die enforcement of the rule of casting the del
sgation's vote as a unit Upon a ballot being
;aken sixty-one votes were cast in favor of
the enforcement of the unit rule and eleven
rotes against such enforcement The resolu
tion was amended at Mr. Grady's request, and
by its provisions Chairman Manning was di
rected to announce upon the call of States
that the Saratoga convention instructed the
delegates to vote as a unit; that a vote having
been taken for choice of candidates, forty-nine
favored Cleveland and twenty-three delegates
oad other preferences and were divided be- 1
fcween Flower, Bayard and Slocum.
MR. TILDEN AGAIN DECLINES.
The following is an authentic copy of a
communication to Mr. Barnum, the chairman |
of the national committee, from Mr. Tilden,
and made public on the eve of the conven
tion:
G C.ETSTONE. July 5, 1884.
To the Hon. William H, Barnum
111. —I have received your telegram informing
me of the disposition to nominate me for the
presidency, and asking, "Will you accept a
unanimous nomination from the conventionT'
and also a telegram from Mr. Manning, say
ing, "It seems absolutely necessary that you
(I) should answer Barnaul's telegram as soon
as possible."
Your inquiry was explicitly answered in
the negative by my letter of June 10 to Mr.
Manning S. J. TILDEN.
OPENING OF THE CONVENTION.
CHICAGO, JULY 8. —When the convention
was called to order at 12:40 noon, 15,000 peo
ple filled the seats in the vast amphitheatre,
and among the spectators were a large num
ber of women, whose bright costumes afforded
a pleasing contrast to the sober garments of
the delegates and male spectators. The ar
rangements and decorations of the hall were
declared superior to those of the convention of
four weeks ago. The main stage had been
placed midway at one side of the hall instead
of at the extreme end. This brought the entire
amdience much closer to the stage proper and
to the delegates. The decorations were not ;
profuse, but striking and pleasing to the eye,
the national colore predominating. The main
platform, however, was dwarfed by the mag
nificent proportions of the hall. The delegates
were seated in a square immediately fronting
the speakers' platform on the level of the con
vention ball Between the delegates and the
platform were the quarters assigned the
press representatives, who had been provided
with tables in rising tiers, thus afford
ing this working army a complete view of the
entire hall. To the right and left of the dele
gates were the seats for the spectators, sloping
upward easily to a point thirty feet from the
level of the floor. The lighting of the vast
hall is excellent, as it is flanked and crowned
with great windows, which pour a flood of
light upon every portion of tne auditorium.
At 11:30 a. m. the scarlet-coated band of the
First Illinois regiment took position above the
speakers' platform and buret forth with a mar
tial air, which proved the signal for the arriv
al of the first of the delegates, the Tcnnesseans
leading the van. From that moment the
crowd streamed in without ceasing until
the noon hour, when the hall was filled to
its utmost capacity. Among the United
States Senators, who were present, either
as delegates, alternates or as sim
ple spectators, were Hampton, Vance, Beck,
Williams, McPhereon, Gorman, Farley, Voor
hees, Pendleton. Jones of Florida, Ransom,
Lamar, Jonas, Call and Harris.
CALLED TO ORDER.
At 12:40 o'clock the convention was called
to order by ex-Senator Barnum, chairman ol
SUPPLEMENT
the National Democratic committee. Prayer
was offered by Rev. Dr. D. C. Marquis, of
the Northwestern Theological seminary. He
prayed for a blearing on this groat assembly
of representative citizens. that they should I*'
endowed with wisdom, that nothing should
IK* done through strife or vain jealousy, but
that thej* slum Id In? filled with that charity
which is" not puffed up and doth not behave
itself unseemly. lie prayed that their delib
erations might IK* guided to such conclusions
as would best promote the glory of God and
the welfare of the nation.
The chairman tht*n said:
"Gentlemen of the Convention: Harmony
seems to IK* the sentiment of this convention.
Even the air semis saturated with a desire
and determination to nominate a ticket for
President and Vice President which will oe
satisfactory to the North and to the South,
to the East and to the West—nay, more, a
ticket that will harmonixe the Democracy
throughout the Union and insure victory in
November. Harmony prevailed in the delib
erations of the national committee. Noeffort
was made to nominate a temporary chairman
in the interest of any candidate, but ou tlio
contrary it was the desire to nominate ono
who shall preside over the deliberations of this
convention with absolute impartiality. In
that spirit, anil to that end 1 have been di
rected oy the unanimous vote of the national
committee to name the Hon. Richard B. Hub
bard, of Texas, for temporary chairman of
this convention."
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN.
The nomination of ex-Governor Hubbard
was received with unanimous assent and he
was escorted to the chair by Senator B. F.
Jonas, of Louisiana; George T. Barnes, of
Georgia, and AbramS. Hewitt, of New York,
who were appointed a committee for that pur
pose.
On being presented by Mr. Barman Mr.
Hubbard gave thanks for the honor done him.
which, he said, he accepted not as a tribute
to himself but as a compliment to the great
State from which he came, a State which was
absolutely cosmopolitan in every fiber. He
i continued as follows:
"The Democratic party in all its elements
was the same as it was when founded bv the
franters of the Constitution nearlv three
quarters of a century ago. Men died, as the
leaves in autumn; but the principles underly
ing liberty and self-government—the right of
representation and taxation going hand in
hand, economy in the administration of the
government so that thq government shall
make the burdens as small as they may IK*
upon the millions who constitute our country
men—these and other principles underlie
the Democratic party and cannot be effaced
from the earth, though their authors may be
numbered with the dead. (Cheers.) I thank
God, fellow citizens, that though we
have been out of power for a quarter of a
century, we are to-day, in all that makes
adherence and confidence and zeal, as much
a party, organized for aggressive war. as
when victory jierched upon our 1 winners. Tiie
Democratic jwirtv had now the House of Rep
resentatives, and would have the Senate but
for treason in the Senate chamber itself.
(Cheers). It would have hail the proridepcr
too, but for the hands of robbers who struck
down the expressed will of the people by
means of perjury, bribery and corruption.
The presidency had been stolen from the Dem
ocratic party by men uttering falsehoods
through pale lips and chattering teeth. Some
of the men who participated in the crime hail
passed beyond the river, there to give en
account of their stewardship. That stealing
of the presidency was the greatest crime in
history. The great leaders of the parly,
Tilden and Hendricks—"
Here the speaker was interrupted by long
continued applause, the delegates rising to
their feet and waving their hats. When the
applause ceased he continued:
Our great loaders. Tilden aud Hendricks,
with the dignity of heroic statesmen, with the
courage of men who love their country better
than its pelf and its power, accepted the
wrong and injury of periury and of fraud,
and they are grander to-day in their defeat
than the men who wear the power at the ex
pense of justice and right. (Cheers.) Thus
we have succeeded in the face of Federal
power. We would have succeeded in 1880
Out for Federal gold and Federal greenbacks
—fresh and uncut from Washington—(ap-
Elause and laughter)—money earned and held
y star-route contractors and the loving
friends of a venal administration. They
bought the presidency. Fellow Democrats,
we want reform, God knows, not only in the
personnel of men, but also in the measures of
the government. (Cheers.) We want men
there whose very lives and whose very names
would be a platform to this iieople. We want
men there who shall in all the departments of
the government follow its servants with the
eye of the ministers of justice anil see that
every cent that belongs to the government
shall remain with the government (cheers);
that no tribute shall be demanded except the
tribute that is due the government; that
no assessment shall be levied upon 100,000
office-holders who are paid one hundred
millions' annually, five millions to go
into a corrupt political fund. These, these,
we thank God, will be corrected when the
Democratic party shall get into power once
more. (Applause.) In conclusion let me say
that harmony and conciliation should rule
your councils. There never was a time in
the history of the Democratic party when
the enemy invites the victory as now. The
great and unnumbered hosts of dissatisfied men
of the Republican party are heard in the dis
tance —in New England, in New York,on the
lakes and in the West and everywhere; and
while the Democratic party should not deviate
one iota from its principles, it shoqld with
open arms say to these men—hundreds and
thousands God grant there may be—here.here
is the party of the Constitution anil the
Union, that loves our common country. Come
hither and go with us for honest rule and
homst government.
"The Democratic party, while it may have its
local differences,when the onset of the charge
comes will be together, and whoever you may
nominate of all the great and good names that
are before you from the East to the West,
from the North to the South, will receive its
united support. Hoping that, success may 1
crown your efforts, that you may send a tick
et to our country upon which all may unite,
is the wish of him whom you have honored
with your suffrage this day." (Loud and long
continued applause.)
THE FIGHT OVER THE UNIT RULE.
At the conclusion of Governor Hubbard' B
speech, Mr. Prince, of Massachusetts, sec r
retary of the national committee, reported
the temporary organization, including the
secretaries.
Mr. Smalley, of Vermont, then said he was
instructed by the national committee to offer i
the following resolution:
"Resolved, That the rules of the last Demo- i
eratic convention govern this body until
otherwise ordered, subject to the following
modification: That in voting for candidates
for President and Vice-President no State
shall be allowed to change its vote until the
roll of the States has been called and every
State has cast its vote."
Senator Grady, of New York, offered the
following amendment to the resolution:
" When the vote of a State as announced
by the chairman of the delegation from such
State is challenged by any member of the
delegation, then the secretary shall call the I
names of the individual delegates from the j
State, and their individual preferences as ex- j
pressed shall be recorded as the vote of such .
State."
Colonel John R. Fellows, of New York,here
obtained the floor and spoke in opposition to
Mr. Grady's amendment. He challenged the |
right of the other States to strip from New j
York the crown of her sovereignty and say
that her loyal subjects should not ot>ey her
mandates. New York hail instructed her
seventy-two votes to sjKvik ns the voice of one
man. The seventy-two delegates here would
not violate their instructions. But, moreover,
this question had been put to vote in the dele
gation, set over two-thirds had voted in favor
of the unit rule. We luide the delegates
from other States JMI use before they struck
down the sovereign will of the New York
Democrats expressed in the convention at
i Saratoga. They ex|>eotcil New York to head
the Democratic column in November. Ho
therefore appealed to those States who were
interested in carrying New York to be careful
how they proc® sled, lie doubted whether this
convention had the power to reverse the action
of the Saratoga convention. He read the reso
lution of instruction of the Saratoga conven
tion, requiring the delegation to act a? a unit
under the direction of a majority. The other
States had no right to dictate what the will of
New York was. Mr. Grady sat in tliat con
vention and every man in it voted for these res
j olutiona. He did not object to any meml>er
expressing publicly th * reasons that impelled
him to differ from the majority, but ho insis
ted that New York should vote as one man.
I Mr. G. V. Meiudes, of lmhana, offered an
i amendment to the amendment, to the effect
that no State should change its vote until the
other States had voted and the result had been
announced.
Senator Grady resumed the flix>r. He said
that the New York delegate who preceded him
hail challenged the convention to strike down
the sovereign will of the New York Democra
cy expressed in convention assembled. He
denied that it was the sovereign will of the
New York Democracy. It was the sovereign
will of the New York State machine. This,
he said, had no authority to prescribe any rule
for the guidance of district delegates. He
1 (Grady) was a district delegate, and recog
uized no authority on the jjart of any machine
to dictate how he should vote. The unit rule
was undemocratic and should be done away
wi th. Senate r Grady was greeted wi ih hisses,
necessitating the president to rap for order.
Judge Doolittle, of Wisconsin, addressed
the convention in favor of enforcing the in
structions of the New York convention.
Mr. Powers, of Michigan, moved that the
amendments be referred to the committee on
rules. Tlu* motion wus lost.
Mr. Cook ran, of New York, spoke in favor
of the resolution. He asked whether the New
York Democracy had instructed its delegates
for any candidate*. No, it had not. Nor did
the New York Democracy say that the New
York delegates should vote as a unit. The
edict was given out by a machine, not by the
Democracy of New York. Free speech and
free deliberations were thrown out of the win
dow. He did not believe that the convention
would instruct the recording secretary to re
cord a living lie. ,
General Ciunie, of California, said it was an
outrage to permit a majority of any State in
the convention to deprive the minority of its
vote.
O. W. Powers, of Michigan, asked why
should the convention attempt to stifle the
voice of the delegates because they happened
to be in the minority I
Carter Harrison, of Illinois, said it the
State of New York hail instructed its dele
gates to vote as a uuit, and if they failed to
so vote they would be disobeying their State,
but this convention had nothing to do with
that. (Applause).
Mr. Jacobs, of New York, said that he was
one of the minority, anil would exercise his
privilege of voting against the choice of the
majority, but as a Democrat and as a man
loyal tohis constituents he would lie obedient
to the orders of the State convention and bow
to the will of the majority. (Applaus •).
Mr. Grady asked him if, at the Saratoga
convention, there hail been a word of dis
cussion as to the unit rule.
Mr. Jacobs replied that there had not been,
but it was because everybody luul agreed to it
in advance.
John Kelly, of New York, said that in the
amendment lie fore the convention was the
foundation of Democracy. It wai a question
whether a majority of men could control the
vote? of a minority. He did not regard any
instructions of any State binding upon a na
tional body. This" was a higher power than a
State convention, and he appealed to it to say
whether the views of good Democrats could
be stifled and their voices drowned, or
whether they were to have a vote like other
delegates.
There were sixty-two counties in the State
of New York, of which but ten or twelve
were Democratic. According to the argu
ment of Mr. Fellows, the great Democratic
counties of Now York (which would elect a
Democratic president if an opportunity were
given to them) would be disfranchised. That
was the principle which was presented, and
he appealed to the sense and liberality of the
convention in favor of Mr. Grady's proposi
tion. There was a precedent for Mr, Grady's
motion, and he hoped tiiat this convention
would take it into consideration.
Colonel Fellows again took the floor and re
sponded to Mr. Kelly. There was extraordi
nary misconception of the issue involved, he
said. The question of stifling the voice of the
minority was not even remotely involved.
The real question was whether the State of
New York had the right to say how the will
of her majority should be indicated on the
floor. [Applause.] She had always main
tained, as she does to-day, that seventy'-two
units should not speak seventy-two conflicting
statements as to her desires in a national con
vention, but that they should sjieak as a single
unit. She prescribed in her State convention
tbe method of ascertaining her will. She hail
no desire to prevent any one of a minority of
her delegation telling the convention why he
differed with the majority. She only said
that when the will of a majority had been
fairly ascertained it should lie expreiseil in a
certain way, and she claimed it as ner right to
prescribe the way. [Applause.] It so hap
pened that Mr. Kelly anil himself were dele
gates from the same congressional district in
New York. Could Mr. Kelly tell him by
what Democrats he hail been elected whose
voice was entitled to more recognition than
others in the same district I
Mr. Kelly arose to explain, and an amusing
colloquy between him und Colonel Fellows
ensuixl.
THE UNIT RULE SUSTAINED.
At the conclusion of Mr. Fellow's speech
there were roars all over the hall for the ques
tion. The Chair finally recognized General
Bragg, of Wisconsin. He argued that the del
egates did not come here as representatives
of congressional districts except in such cases
as the State may direct and permit. The
States, not the districts were entitled to repre
sentation. Mr. Burke, of Louisiana, also
claimed that the States themselves had the
right to determine the question whether the
votes should be cast as a unit. He then moved
to lay the motion on the table, but subse
quently withdrew it and moved the previous
question. Mr. Menzies then withdrew his
amendment to the original amendment. The
question was then put, but there being an un
certainty as to the result the roll of States
was called for and ordered upon the adoption
of the amendment to the original resolution.
After some further discussion the secretary
announced the result of the vote as follows:
Total number of votes cast, 795; yeas, 332.
nays, 463. (Great applause.) The vote by
States was as follows:
State. Yeas. Nays.
Alabama 15 5
Arkansas 14
California 16
Colorado 4 2
Connecticut 2 10
Delaware 6
Florida 2 0
Goorgia 12 12
Illinois 23 23
j Indiana 30
| lowa 6 20
j Kansas 8 15
j Kentucky 20 16
j Louisiana 6
I Maine.... 2 10
! Maryland 16
| Massachusetts 21 7
i Michigan 12
j Minnesota 14
! Mississippi 18
] Missouri 8 24
j Nebraska 5 5
; Nevmla 6
New llanqishire , .. 8
New Jersey 14 4
j New York 72
North Carolina 10 12
| Ohio 35 21
Oregon 6
) Pennsylvania 21 89
; Rhode Island 8
S Hl tli Carolina 8 14
Tennessee 17 7
j Texas 13 10
( Vermont 8
Virginia 0 18
! West Virginia 9 8
■ Wisconsin 5 17
T0ta1.... 332 463
The call of the roll on the original resolu
tion was then dispensed with and it was
unanimously adopted,
j This question having been disposed of the
roll of the States was called aud tlie chairman
| of the several delegations named the delegates
' chosen as members of the committees on
credentials and resolutions. On the com
j pletion of the call of the roll the convention
adjourned until 11A. M. to-morrow.
SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
At 11:36 A. M., Temporary Chairman Hub
liaril rapped for order and intioluced the
Right Rev. Dr. McLaren, D. 1)., Bishop of
Chicago. The chai man requested that the
audience rise as the venerable gentleman
aros" and related the Lord's prayer. It was
a striking scene, 13,0 X) people on their feet,
with heads bowed in reverence, whila in low
and impressive tones the bishop followed by
' invoking the blessii g of God upon the pro
ceedings and prayed for the blessings of the
Almighty to rest "upon the country and upon
the nominee of the convention.
PRESENTATIONS OF PETITIONS.
Petitions were present*si asking for a hear
ing for a Irish national league; denouncing
j the labor convict system; favoring the eight
hour law hnd a labor statistic bureau; reduc
tion of taxation to a revenue
basis; against polygamy; against the
acquisition of large tracts of public
1 lands by corporations; for reform in the civil
service by making postmasters elective; for a
; systematic reduction of taxes; providing that,
in case of the dcuth of candidates for Presi
! dent or Vice-President, the chairman shall call
together the convention ag tin to fill the va
caney; for the repeal of all legislation which,
under Republican rule, has tended to pauper
ize lalor; for a constitutional amendment
I making the presidential term of office six
years, und to limit the di.sj>os.il of the public
lauds to ac tual settlers in quantities of not
; more than 160 acres each. Finally a resolu
tion was adopted to refer all such propositions
without being read. Under that rule several
anti-Chinese and tariff reform resolutions
were referred, being only read by their titles,
j PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
I 'The rojiort of the committee on permanent
organization was then made. The name of
i W. F. Vilas, of Wisconsin, being presented as
? resident, with a list of vice-presidents (one
roni each State) and several se •retaries and
j assistants, it was ordered that the secretaries
1 and clerks of the temp rury organization be
continued under the permanent organization.
The report was unanimously adopted, and
I Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana; W. W.
Armstrong, of Ohio; W. H. Persons, of Geor
! gia; John A. Henderson, of Texas; John A.
i Day, of Missouri; William Sparks, of Illinois,
and Smith M. Weed, of New York, were ap
pointed to escort Colonel Vilas to the chair.
COLONEL VILAS TAKES THE CHAIR.
Loud cheers greeted the appearance of Mr-
Vilas upon the platform. V hen quiet hail
been partially restored Mr. Hubbard, the
temporary chairman, introduced the elected
I permanawt chairman in 'he following words:
j "Gentlemen of the Convention: 1 nave the
; honor to introduce to you tlio Hon. Mr. Vilas,
• of Wisconsin (loud applause) a? the elected—
unanimously elected —permanent president of
' your body. (Loud applause.) Thanking you
1 most kindly for the courtesy and the atten-
I tion and the charitv you have shown me, I
invoke it for him wiio will need it much less
than 1 have needed it" (Ixiud and long con
! tinued applause.)
Mr. Vilas on assuming the chair made a
long address. He said
"Gentlemen of the National Democracy: I
know full well that this mark of your favor
is no personal compliment, but is a recogni
tion of the young Democracy of the North
| western States. (Loud applause!. And I
claim it to be justly their due (loud applause)
as a tribute to their lofty zeal and patriotism,
their long and gallant struggle against an out
numbering foe, and their great and growing
numbers (applause), and I nail it as a presage
and prototype of their coming triumphs.
"You are assembled to consider a great
cause, to pronounce a most momentous judg
ment. Y our hand is on the helm of a mighty
1 nation of free men. Fifty-five millions of
freemen who are, and one hundred millions
, who soon will be, our nation—earth's great
est free society—will rejoice in the well-con
sidered work of this convention. (Applause).
Its import aud valu? lie not in mere partisan
success —in touching the spoils of office. It is
a nobler opportunity. The hour is pregnant
with mighty possibilities of good to men.
I Liberty—constitutional liberty—strangling in
the surf of corruption, injustice, and favorit
ism. cries aloud for resuscitation.
"An assemblage of politicians such as long
I possession of unlicensed power creates, but
| recently filled this hall with clamor, and it is
said to have been too well manufactured to
have been the product of infant industry.
(Laughter.) They have announced their pur
poses, and they claim the submission of the
country as if it were theirs to command.
I How have they met the just expectation of
this intelligent people. Like some corpora
j tions which have nourished under their aus-
I pices, they have issued a watered stock of
promises (laughter) and every one a confes
: sion. They have promised redress only of
; disorders they have themselves eommuni-
I cated to the body politic. (Laughter and ap
j plause.) They proffer the infection to cure
j the disease. (Laughter.) They have
1 nothing adequate or worthy to the fervent
' aspirations and high hopes of this patriotic
people.
1 To a country which rejoices in restored
unity and concord they tender the renewal of
sectional strife. To a nation which feels the
impulse of a mighty growth and yearns for
leadership in noble prosperity they offer the
inspiration of national calamity and misfor
i tune. To a proud and sensative people, de
| manding deliverance from dishonoring cor- <
ruption, demanding decency in the selection 1
and cleanliness in the holding of their public
stations, they offer the gilded arts of skilful
daniagogery. (Applause.) To the generous
ardor of youth, nobly ambitious to achieve a
freeman's manhood, they proffer the elevat- j
ing sentiments of the party machine. To the
men of toil seeking only opportunity to earn
a free man's livelihood tney say: Be your
masters' villains and you shall have bread.
(Applause.)
"The burden of their campaign is already
made manifest. Shouting, and, in common
[ political parlance, 'soap' (laughter) are its in
spiration and ammunition. (Laughter and
applauHc.) The air i already filled with va
in >rs of visionary schemes addressed to various
interests and factions of weak and undeserv
ing men, iuid some are indulged to exjiect ad
vantage from the chaotic possibilities of for
eign war.
"The history of the republic will have been
read in vain if such a prospect does not alarm
and warn us. Twice already has liberty sunk
Is-neath the waves of fraud and venality.
She has seen her chosen servants displaced by
chicane, and Iter i**ople temporarily enslaved
by fraudulent usurpation of their places.
(Applause*.) SI e lias seen & national election
Ber8 er vert el by the stream of money which
owed from "gaping wounds at Washington.
Can she rise a tnira time if again submerged
by her enemies I Gentlemen, no patriot here
can contemplate (*oute:uporaneous events
without a profound conviction that the duties
of this hour rise far beyond partisanship.
"There is one supreme question before us,
How shall we most surely rescue the repub
lic ? A new generation is on the scene of ac
tion, on educated and intelligent generation.
They understand our institutions. They com
prehend the tremendous growth and capabil
ities of this country, and they accept the re
sponsibilities which have d?volveduppn them.
Their realizing sense is keen tliat the welfare
and progress of the people demand, have long
demanded, an utter and radical change hi the
a huinistration of the government. (Benjamin
P. Butler appeared in the convention at this
B>int, escorted by one of his old aids, Mr.
rinkwater, anl was received with uproarius
applause*, mingled with some hisses from peo
ple** ho did not seem to relish the interrup
tion. ) They have heard repeated promises of
reform with each recurring election, and with
disgrace and shame they see each new ad
ministration discover deeper iniquities than
those it promised to amend. (Applause.)
There is a growing conviction that the one re
form which will work all others, and is the
condition of all, the utter defeat of the
• present party in power.
"And there is but one hope. It is vain to
look to any new party organization. (Ap-
Elause.) Ihe prosperity and progress and
ope or tliis republic rest to-day upon the wis
dom and (Mitriotism of the Democracy now
here in convention. (Loud applause.) It is
adequate to the great respon: i lility. It linn
shared the vicissitudes, the frailties, the faults
of humanity. It has profited by the sweet
uses of adversity (laughter) .and it stands forth
to-day with a disciplined patriotism fitted to
invoke anl receive the l-cetoration of that
power which for half a century it wielded to
the nation's grandeur and glory. (Applause.)
It has been recruited steadily and constantly
: from the upright and fearless, who.preferring
the rewards of self-resjx*ct to the allurements
of power, have shaken the dust from their
feet and departed from the Sodom of so-called
Republicanism. It has enlisted and caught
the fire of the young manhood of this nation,
and the spirit "of victory rules its councils and
rides in the front of its battle. (Applause.)
The fatality of blundering has become a Re
publican possession (laughter and applaust),
and the doom of God's award to folly let us
prav may be theii s.
"The triumph of the party of the republic's
hope aim tbe longer stayed. We may hope
to set* the s plundering of public wealth cease;
to see Justice take her place in our laws regu
lating finance and economy. We may hope
to see a Democratic people of equality, and
siinjilicity, and frugality, where happiness
may best be found (applause), and as our mil
lions multiply, an 1 the subdued earth yields
her abundant increase, while in every form
art and industry employ their cheerful labor,
the proudest beast of American citizenship
shall arise, not from the favored sons of
wealth, but from the manly freeman who re
turns with the evening sun from his place of
honored toil to the house which is his own
(loud applause), where the blossoming vine
anil the rose bespeak the happiness of the
loved cnes at home."
PRESENTING CANDIDATES.
At the conclusion of Mr. Vilas 1 address, Mr.
Snowden, of Pennsylvania, offered a resolu
tion for the call of the roll of States and for
the placing in nomination of candidates for
Pi-esident and vice-president. Mdtions to re
fer the resolution to the committee on plat
form, and to adjourn until to-mc rrow were
lost. A motion to lay Mr. Snowden's resolu
tion on the table was voted upon by States,
and resulted in the negative by 521 nays to
22 yeas. When New York's seventy-two
votes were amiouneeJ in the negative Mr.
Grady challenged the vote amid great uproar
and ti'ied to preterit the original tally. The
chairman decided that he must accept the
vote of New York as a unit An amendment
was adopted to Mr. Snowden's resolution
that no vote should be taken on the nomina
tions Aatil after the adoption of the platform.
Motions to adjourn were voted down, and at
2 p. M. the call of States for nominations for
President and Vice-President was begun.
SENATOR BAYARD'S NAME PRESENTED.
When the State of Delaware was called
there was an immediate outbreak of cheers-
After the uproar had subsided Mr. George
Gray, of Delaware, came to the platform and
addressed the convention. He said:
" Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Con
vention: I am instructed to present to you
the name of a man worthy to receive the
nomination for the exalted station of Presi
dent of the United States. (Loud applause.)
I do so with a deep and realizing sense of the
great responsibility that rests upon this con
vention and upon every m nnber of it so to act
that the great opportunity that God himself,
as we reverently believe, has given us. may
not pass away unimproved. The Republican
jwirty has flung defiance into the fare of
American manhood and lias shocked the con
science of its own best men. The Democracy
demands that vou shall give them as a stand
ard bearer in the impending contest one who
has been tried in the balance and never found
wanting. (Applause.) It demands a states
man whose wisdom and experience are known
of all men. (Applause.) It demands a leader
whose ehivalrie courage will never falter,
(applause), and who can and will bring to the
dust the plumed knights of false pretence and
personal dishonor. (Applause.) It demands
a man of stainless honor, who will strike cor
ruption whenever and wherever it shows its
head. It demands a man with a national
record that will bear the electric light
of hostile criticism. (Applause.) It demands
a man with a private character that will
defy the malignant tongue of slander. (Ap
plause.) The Democrats of these United
States, in a word, demand a man who shall
in his public and private character be the
very antithesis and opposite of the nominee
of the Republican party. (Applause.) The
man who has all this and more, an i whose
name is now leaping from your hearts to
your lips, is Thomas Francis Bayard of Dela
ware.' (Great applause.)
"Why, gentlemen, this republic, this deAr
country of ours was reared by such men as
he. How can vou afford, gentlemen of the
Democratic party,' to pass him by? (Ap
plause.) What account will you give to the
Democracy who sent you here, if you shall
fail to meet the challenge of our opponents
by failing to b'awn his name upon our ban
ners? (Applause.) Gentlemen of the con
vention, with Bayard as your candidate you
will make no mistake. (Cheers.) His name
will still the voice of faction (cheers), and
close up the ranks of the Democracy in every
State. He will carry every doubtful State,
and he will make those States doubtful that
never were doubtful before. (Cheers.) En
thusiasm will take the place of apathy, and
will grow and grow as the autumn leaves
are falling until tho drear November is made
bright by the paeans of our victor}'.
(Cheers.)"
THO.TIAS A. HENDRICKS
rFroni the New York Truth.)
HENDRICKS PRESENTS MCDONALD.
When Indiana watt called loud cheers rent
the air, and Mr. Menzies, of that State, arose
and said: "The Indiana delegation has re
quested the Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks to
present the name of Indiana's candidate for
President." Mr. Hendricks came forward
amidst a burst of enthusiasm lasting several
minutes. Upon a partial subsidence of the
noise a wild gallery delegate, with a voice
like a rolling mill, shouted, "Three cheers for
the old ticket," and they were given with ex
traordinary vigor. When the uproar had at
last suicided Mr. Hendricks said:
"Mr. President and gentlemen of the Con
vention: This is my first experience as a dele
gate in a national convention, and as I rise to
f resent the name of a distinguished citizen of
ndiana, I feel the delicacy and great respon
sibility of the duty I have undertaken. The
people now demand a change in the manage
ment of Federal affairs, and if this conven
tion will give them half an opportunity they
will execute that purpose in the election of a
President the coming fall.
* "It is but two weeks ago that a secretary,
standing upon the witness stand, in tin? pres
ence of a Senate committee, testified that the
false vouchers in the naval bureau of medi
cine and surgery did not, he supposed, exceed
td'2.ooo! I dare say you remember that an
entire administration went down, and for the
time being, the party went with it, because
of an embezzlement of That was but
forty years ago, and that was the only case
occurred attracting attention during that ad
ministration. Yet so fearful was the punish
ment by the people that the party went from
power for the time being.
"Who expects that a party long in power,
with all the emoluments of public portion re
ceived and enjoyed by its followers and re
tainers, can reform "itself? The offences
against the public service are many. They
must he pui~sued to their hiding places, and
exposed and punished, and the agents that the
President shall employ—l mean the new Pres
ident that you are to nominate here— the
agents that he shall employ must have no one
to shield and nothing to conceal.
"Lut bad as the civil service is, I know that
the.v are men of tried fidelity in it. I know
lu-t there are men of ability in the present
terviee, and I would not ask that th&y should
be driven from office: but none But such
ought to be continued. In the language of
a writer, when we come to define the rights
of the outs and of those that aie in, let ft be
understood that noue but the fittest shall sur
vive. (Applause.)
"I liave but one other sentiment to refer to
before I shall call your attention to the claims
which I propose to suggest for the man that I
will nominate; and in resjiect to this senti
ment no one is responsible but myself. Will
nations never devise a more rational umpire
of differences than force: Must blood and
treasure always flow before iutei-national con
troversies cau be settled? Controversies will
arise; they are inevitable; but the civilization
of this age demands that they be referred to
disinterested State s for settlement by friendly
arbitrations. (Applause.) Tne intervening
ocean protects our young republic from the
menace of European arms. It will be a beau
iiful spectacle it this republic, so strong and
so secure, shall lead the nations in a move
ment fo~ permanent peace, and for the relief
of the people everywhere from the mainten
ance of standing armies and ships of war.
"The best part of General Grant's adminis
tration was the settlement by arbitration of
controversies touching the Alabama That
settlement stands in right glorious contrast in
p. 11 history to the use that ho hinisilf made of
our own army when he beleaguered the capi
tal that men might have offices to which they
were never elected. (Loud applause.)
"Mr. President and gentlemen, I have to
suggest for your consideration a citizen of the
State of Indiana, the Hon. Jcseph E. McDon
ald. (Loud and long continued applause.) I
thank you all for this reception which you
have give given to his name. Bora in an ad
joining State, Indiana became his home when
he was but a boy. He learned a trade and
made himself independent and very respectar
ble (applause), and alter that he pursued his
studies with such opportunities as he had, and
finally prepared himseff for the great profes
sion of the law; and from the tune that ha
took his stand in the court house of his county
until the present time —when he may stand,
it may be. in the supreme court of the United
States—he lias been the peer of the best of that
profession in the West"
Mr. Hendricks concluded by paying a high
tribute to Mr. McDonald. General Black, of
Illinois, seconded the nomination of Mr. Mc-
Donald.
THURMAN'S NAME PRESENTED.
At the conclusion of General Black's re
marks a delegate from California, which had
been temporarily possxJ when its name was
called, said that the State was ready to pre
sent a nominee, and Hon. John W. Brocken
ridge presented the name of ex-Senator Allen
G. Thurman, of Ohio, in the following speech:
"California has sent us here to present for
the consideration of the Democratic party a
man who needs no eulogy at her hands, whose
name is enshrined in the hearts of the whole
American people. She has asked us to pre
sent for your consideration a man who, if
you nominate him, we believe there is a set
tlod conviction in the hearts of all will be the
next President of the United States. Such a
selection is a sacred trust and a solemn re
sponsibility. There never was in history a
party with a rarer or grander opportunity to
make an appeal to the country. Let lis name
a man of whoso integrity and devotion to
principle there has never been a question,
upon whose character or reputation
there lias never fallen a shadow
or blot or slain, whose ability and learning
shall be commensurate with the duties of the
high office to which we would elevate him.
Let us nominate such a one, place him side, by
side with his antithesis, the 'Plumed Knight'
of Maine, and simply say to the American
people, 'Behold the men!' (Applause.)
"Gentlemen of tho Convention, we of Cali
fornia believe that we can confidently turn
and say, behold the man—Allen G. Thurman,
of Ohio. (Cheers and applause, several uele
gates rising in their seals and waving their
hats.) Of all the honored and illustrious
names which have been and shall be presented
for the eonsideiation of this convention, there
are none which lie nearer the great heart of
the American people than that lofty and in
trepid statesman's, who, for more than twenty
years, has been the boldest and ablest advo
cate of Democratic doctrine and Democratic
principles. California did not send us here to