Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1888 — GROVER ACCEPTS. [ARTICLE]

GROVER ACCEPTS.

Officially Notified that He Has Been Named for a Second Term. ' He Accepts, and Says He Will Be Heard From Formally In Due Time. ■ Washington, June 27. The committee appointed by the St Louis convention to notify President Cleveland of his renomination, together with the members of the National Democratic Committee, called upon the President at the White House yesterday afternoon, and formally notified him of his nomination. Mrs. Cleveland and nearly all the members of the Cabinet and their wives were present. Gen. Patrick A. Collins, Chairman of the Notification Committee, addressed the President as follows: “Mr. Cleveland, we come, as a committe authorized and instructed bv the National Democratic Convention, recently held at St. Louis, to convey formal notice of Its action in naming you for the office of President of the United States during the next four years. It would ill become the occasion or your presence to express at length the full meaning and significance of that great assembly. Its expression will be found and heard elsewhere and otherwise from now till that day in November when this free and Intelligent people will record their approval of your great services as Chief Magistrate- We beg to congratulate you upon this hearty and unanimous indorsement of your course as President by the great historic party to which in all the days of your manhood you have belonged, and to congratulate the country upon the assured continuance of your wise, just, and patriotic administration." Mr. Charles D. Jacobs of Kentucky read the following letter of notification; “To the Hon. Grover Cleveland, of New York: “ Sib : The delegates to the National Democratic Convention, representing every State and Territory of our Union, having assembled in the city of bt. Louis, on June 5, for the purpose of nominating candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, it has become the honorable and pleasing duy of this committee to formally announce to you that, without a ballot, you were by acclamation chosen as the standard-bearer of the Democratic party for the chief executiveship of this country at the election to be held In November next. “Great as is such distinction undtr any circumstances, it is the more flattering and profound when it is remembered that you have been selected as your own successor to an office the duties of which, always onerous, have been rendered of an extracr (inarily sensit'vo, difficult, and delicate nature because of a change of political parties and methods after twenty-'our years of uninterrupted domtnatii n. T-is exalta ion is, if possible, added to by the fact that the declaration of principles based up::n your national inestage to the United btates relative to a tariff reduction and a diminution of the expenses of the Government throws down the direct and defiant challenge for an exacting scrutiny of the administration of the executive power which four years ago was committed to its trust by the election of Grover Cleveland President of the United States, and for the most searching inquiry concerning its fidelity and devotion to the pledges which then invited the suffrages of the people. “An engrossed copy of that platform, adopted without a dissenting voice, is herewith tendered to you. In conveying, sir, to you the responsible trust which has.been confided to them, this committee beg, individually and collectively, to express the great pleasure which they have felt at the results attending the National Convention of the Democratic party, and to offer to you their best wishes for official and personal success and happiness. “We have the honor, sir, to be your obedient servants” [signed by all the members of the committee], Mr. Thomas S. Pettit, Secretary of the Notification Committee, then presented Mr. Cleveland with a handsomely engrossed copy of the platform adopted at the National Democratic Convention.

President Cleveland, in response, said : “I cannot but be profoundly impressed when I see about me the messengers of the National Democracy bearing its summons to duty. The political party to which I owe allegiance both honors and commands me. It places in my hands its proud standard and bids me bear it high at the front in a battle which it wages bravely, because conscious of right; confidently, because its trust is in the people, and soberly, because it comprehends the obligations which success imposes. “The message which you bring awakens within me the liveliest sense of personal gratitude and satisfaction, and the honor which you tender me is in itself so great that there might well be no room for any other sentiment. And yet I cannot rid myself of grave and serious thoughts when I remember that party supremacy is not alone involved in the conflict which presses upon us, hut that we struggle to secure and save the cherished institutions, the welfare, and happiness of a nation of freemen. “Familiarity with the great office which I hold has but added to my apprehension of its sacred character and the consecration demanded of him who assumes its immense responsibilities. It is the reposisory of the people’s will and power. Within its vision should be the protection and welfare of the humblest citizen, and with quick ear it should catch frem the remotest comer of the land the plea of the people for justice and for right. For the sake of the people he who holds this office of theirs should resist every < ncroachment upon its legitimate functions, and, fdr the sake of the integrity and usefulness of the office, is should be kept near to the people and be administered in full sympathy with their wants and needs. “This occasion reminds me most vividly of the scene when, four years ago, I received a message from my party similar to that which you now deliver. With all that has passed Bince that day I can truly say that the feeling of awe with which I heard the summons then is intensified many fold when it is repeated now. Four years ago I knew that the chief executive office, if not carefully guarded, might drift little by little away from the people to whom it belonged and become a perversion of all it ought to be; but I did not know how much its moorings had already been loosened. I knew four years ago how well devised were the principles of true democracy for the successful operation of' the government for the people, but I did not know how absolutely necessary their application then was for the restoration to the people of their safety and prosperity. I knew then that abuses and extravagances had crept, into the management of public affairs, but I did not know their numerous forms nor the tenacity of their grasp. I knew then something of the bitterness of partisan obstruction, but I did not know how bitter, how reckless, and how shameless it could be. I knew, too, that the American people were patriotic and just, but I did not know how grandly they loved their country nor how noble and generous they vere. "I shall not dwell upen the acts and the policy of the administration now drawing to a close. Its record is open to every citizen of the land. And yet I will not be denied the privilege of asserting at this time that, in the exercise of the functions of the high trust confided to me, I have yielded obedience only to the Constitution and the solemn obligation of my oath of office. I have done those tilings which, in the light of the understanding God has given me, seemed most conducive to tho welfare of my countrymen and the promotion of good government. I would not, if I could, for myself nor for you, avoid a single consequence of a fair interpretation of my course. “It but remains for me to say to you, and through you to the Democracy of the nation, that I accept the nomination with which they have honored me, and that I will in due time signify such acceptance in the usual formal manner.” The President’s remarks were made in an earnest and emphatic manner, and were frequently interrupted by applause. This closed the speech-making, and then ' all present proceeded to the state dining-room, and partook of light refreshments. Turkeys, to bring good prices at market , should be shut up for a week or two, and given everything they can possibly eat. Cornmeal and sweet potatoes cooked together for their breakfast makes fat rapidly, and gives the meat a fine flavor.