Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 July 1884 — IN THE RIGHT SPIRIT. [ARTICLE]

IN THE RIGHT SPIRIT.

Enthusiastic Republican Ratification Meeting at the National Capital. Ringing Speeches by Senators Sherman, Hawley, Mahone, Harrison, and Others. Mr. Blaine Officially Informed of His Nomination for*the Presidency.

(“Washington telegram.] The Republican ratification meeting to-night fully met in all respects the most ardent expetations. The crowd was enormous, completely filling the great space in front of the City Hall. It might be placed anywhere from 15,000 to 30,000, according to the enthusiasm of the person making the estimate. It will be sufficient to say that there were a multitude of people, many more than were able to hear any of the three speakers who occupied three different stands at the same time. The statue of Abraham Lincoln, immediately in front of the bnilding, was draped with flags, and about it were arranged shields with patriotic mottoes. From the stand to the roof of the building there were stretched strings of flags, and in the center, at the apex of the main entrance, surmounting the columns, was a shield with a rising sun, on which, between the portraits of the candidates, was inscribed, ‘‘The People’s Choice for 1885." There were twenty-five men among the list of speaxers. and three speakers spoke at once from the different stands. At one time three men were speaking who, twenty years ago, the most enthusiastic friend of American liberty and nnion would not have thought it possible could have been speaking at the National Capital together in behalf of a common cause. At the center stand, beneath the statue of Lincoln, stood Senator Mahone, of Virginia, Major General of the Confederacy, one of Lee’s most gallant adjutants, addressing the vast throng in behalf of an honest ballot, the success of Republican principles, and the election of Blaine and Logan. At his leit, sixty feet away, stood Congressman Pettibone, of Tennessee, addressing a similar crowd, who, as the leader of a band of Union soldiers, harassed Gen. Mahone's Confederate forces. At the right stand at the same time stood Frederick Douglass, a slave in Maryland when Mahone was a master in Virginia, ail pleading for the one cause. * Judge Shellabarger presided. The crowd insisted upon hearing Gen. Hawley. He came forward, and with the voice of a commander shouted, “Attention.” Shellabarger extolledthe nominees. Mr. Blaine he had known for years, and he considered that a purer or more exalted man does not live in the republic, but Blaine, he admitted, is not a good man in the. sense that Mr. Surface or Mr. Pecksniff were good men, nor a good man in the sense that those who participated in the Chicago convention and have bolted axe good men. Fortunately there are but one or two such men in a million. Judge 'WllHam Lawrence, of Ohio, read a series of resolutions indorsing and ratifying the Republican nominations for President and Vice President, and setting forth the reasons why Blaine and Logan should be supported and sleeted by those who had at heart the best Interests of the oountry. The resolutions were adopted with choers. Judge Shellabarger introduced the Hon. John Sherman as the first speaker. Mr. Sherman said in part: I will support the nomination of Blaine and Logan as heartily as I have done those of Fremont, and Lincoln, and Grant, and Hayes, and Garfield, and this I would do, fellowcitizens, even if they were less worthy than I know them to be of the dfetingished honor proposed for them. I would do it tor my own honor. I tave no patience with any man who for himself Or any other person would take his chances for success in- a political convention and when disappointed would seek to thwart the action of the convention. Blaine and Logan have been selected from among millions of their countrymen to represent—not themselves but the Republican party of the United States. They represent the American Union, one and indivisible, snatched by war from the perils of secession and disunion. After the speech of Sherman the Marine Band struck up and the glee club sang, “Well follow where the white plume waves,” a campaign song by Messrs. Taber and Sousa. The refrain is: Then hurrah for the emblem white, And hurrah for the Plumed Knight, For victory and Blaine, ‘ From Oregon to Maine, We'll follow where the white plume wavea Senator Hawley, of Connecticut, was then introduced, and began by calling for three cheers for James Gillespie Blaine (heartily responded to), then for three more for John Alexander Logan (a like response), then some ope in the crowd shouted "Three cheers for Hawley.” (Loud oheers. l The Republican party, he said, was not made up of 1,000 or 1,50 u "good men of Boston” any more than 1,500 drops of water made the Mississippi River. These “good men” might try to establish the new party of the future; but the Republican party had the “good-will of the business,” and had the name, and did not propose to discontinue. [Cheers.] After Hawley’s speech, there were loud shouts for Mahone. Mahone responded, and was heartdy cheered. He said that he came to in - terchange greetings with those gathered around on the choice of the Chicago convention. “I make no venture," he said, “when I assnre you that in the old Mother Commonwealth (Virginia) every Republican heart beats with you. We have a tender feeling there for the great statesman whose ' administration of public affairs has been broad and unsectionai and benign. It has been under bis auspices that Virginia and the South realize that the National Government is the common heritage of Americans, and that ail are entitled to equal rights, immunities, and burdens. Horr, of Michigan, made a bright spech, which was well received. He dwelt upon the records of Blaine and Logan, and the manner in which they had been nominate®. “When we selected our men," he said, “we selected those who for twenty-five years have almost been the Republican pai ty itself. Now, when the Democrats choose their man, if they can find one who has been In the party twefity-five years, they first ask what he has said in the past. If he has ever said anything, he won’t do. Then they inquire what he has done, and if be has doiie anything, he won’t suit. Now, I like to belong to a party with a record. I can go to bed at night and sleep well, thinking of the good deeds of the Republican party. If I was a Democrat I " Would not dare to blow out the light.” Senator Frye rid cnled the idea that the Republicans would have to fight a defensive battle. He eulogized Blaine and Logan, and predicted their triumphant election in November. Senator Harrison commenced by saying that wherever a thriving population was to be found throughout the Lind, thero Blaine was the strongest. He was strong among the people who did not seek office, but helped -the cause with their votes. “What," asked Harrison, “is the matter with Blaine? Bring forward the best and ablest men of the nations, assemble the greatest men not only in our land bat in others, let asu mmons go out to the nations of Europe, let Bismarck and Gladstone be in company, and we will not fear to have their measure applied to our candidate. [“Good, good.”] “I think that if it gets to be well understood In this country that any foreign coun.riL does not want James G. Blaine elected President of the United Sta es, the American people will be just obstinate enough to elect him.” [Laughter and applaase.il • Fred Douglass presided at one of the stands, and made a short sp ech. The other spe.kers were Representatives Bayne, Dingley, Pe kins, Goff, O'Hara, Belford, Miller of Pennsylvania. Smalls (colored), Milllken, and Boutelle. A letter was read from Secretary Lincoln. In New York, expressing hearty concurrence in the object of the meeting, and hoping that all who wish the success of Republican principles will unite in earnest and vigorous support of Blaine and Logan.

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION. [Augusta (He.) telegram.] Early this morning the streets began to assume a lively appearance, and long before the time for the committee appQftpfeed by the. national convention to notify James G. Blaine of his nomination teethe Presidential candidacy of the'Kepublicaii party to perform that duty, a considerable crowd/ had collected around the Augusta House to gaze with curiosity upon the members of the committee. Promptly at 11 o'clock the National Committee proceeded in a body to Mr. Blaine’s residence, and were received by Mrs. Blaine. As the day was oppressively hot, and the rooms of the mansion'crowed almost to suffocation, it was suggested that the presentation address be made upon .the lawn. Accordingly the committee and guests proceeded to a well-shaded portion of the grounds, where a semi-circle was loomed and all stood with uncovered heads, making an Impressive scene. The rustling of the spreading branches of the great elms and the buzzing of bisects were the only sounds to disturb the stillness. Wh n all was in readiness Mr Blaine was escorted to ibe lawn, where he stood within (he arc of the Bemi-circle. Gen. Henderson then stepped forward and presented the address of 4 • . ~ L

the committee. Beading from a manuscript, he spoke as follows: Mb. Blaine: Your nomination for the office of President of the United States by the National Republican Convention, recently assembled at Chicago, is already known to you. The gentlemen before you, constituting the committee, composed of one member from each State and Terri rory of the country, and* one from the District of Colombia, now come as the accredited organ of that convention, to give yon formal notice of the nomination and to request . your acceptance thereof. It is, of course, known to you that, besides your own, several other names among the most honored in the oouneils of the Republican party were presented by their friends as candidates for the nomination. Between your friends and the lriends of. the gentlemen so justly entitled to the respect and confidence of their political associates, the contest was one of generous rivalry, free from any taint of bitterness, and equally, free from the reproach of injustice. At an early stage of the proceedings of the convention, it became manifest that the Republican States, whose aid must be invoked at last to insure success to the ticket, earnestly desired your nomination. It was equally manifest that the desire so earnestly expressed by the delegates from those States was bat the truthful reflection df the irresistible popular demand. It Is not thought, nor pretended, that this demand had its origin in any ambitious desires of your own or in the organized work of “your friends, but it was recognized to be what it trathfully is, the spontaneous expression by a free people of love and admiration of a chosen loader. No nomination wou d have given satisfaction to every member of the party. This was not to be expected in a. country so extended in area and so varied in interests. The nomination of Mr. Lincoln in 1860 disappointed so many hopes and overthrew so many cherished ambitions that for a short time the disaffection threatened to ripen into an open revolt. In 1872 the discontent was so pronounced as to impel large masses of the party to organize opposition to its nominees. For many Weeks after the nomination of Mr. Garfield in 1880, defeat seemed inevitable. In each case the shock of disappointment was followed by the “sober second thought.” Individual preferences gradually yielded to convictions of puhlic duty*. The promptings of patriotism finally rose superior to the irritations and animosities of the hour. Tne party in every trial has grown stronger in the face of threatened danger. In tendering yon the nomination, it gives ns pleasure to remember those great measures which furnished cause for party congratulations by the late convention at Chicago, and which are now orystalized into the legislation of the country—measures which have strengthened and dignified the nation, and, while they elevated and advanced the people, have at all times and on all proper occasions received yonr earnest and valuable support. It was yonr good fortune to aid in protecting the nation against the assaults of armed treason; you were present and helped to unloose the shackles of the slave; you assisted in placing a new guarantee of freedom in the Federal Constitution; your voice was potent in preserving the national faith when false theories of finance would have blasted the national and individual prosperity. We kindly remember you as a fast friend of honest money, of commerciaMntegrlty In all that pertains to the security and repose of capital, the dignity of labor, the manhood, elevation and freedom of the people, the right of the oppressed to demand, and the duty of the Government to afford protection, your public acts have received unqualified indorsement and popular approval. But we are not unmindful of the fact that parties, like individuals, cannot entirely live on the past, however splendid the record. The present; fa ever charged with immediate cares, and the future presses on with its new duties and its perplexing responsibilities. Parties, like individuals, however, that are free from stain of violated faith in the past, are fairly entitled to the presumption of sincerity in their promises for the future. Among the. promises made by the party, in its late convention at Chicago, are: Economy in the party administration: protection of citizens, native and naturalized, at 'homeland abroad; prompt restoration of the riavy; a wise reduction of the surplus revenues, relieving the taxpayer without, injuring the laborer; the preservation of the public lands for actual settlers; export duties, when necessary at all. to be levied not for revenue only, but for the double purpose of revenue and protection; the regulation of internal commerce; the settlement of international differences by peaceful arbitration, but coupled with the reassersion and maintenance of the Monroe doctrine as interpreted by the fathers of the republio; perseverance of the good work of civil service reiorm, to the end that dangers to free institutions which lurk in the power of official patronage be wisely and effectively avoided; and an honest currency based on coin of intrinsic value, adding strength to the public credit and giving renewed vitality to every branch of American industry. During the last twenty-three years the Republican party has builded a new republic-, a republio far more splendid than that originally designed by our fathers. As its proportions are already grand, they may yet be enlarged; its foundations may be strengthened, and its columns adorned with beauty more resplendent still. To you, as its architect-in-chief, will soon be assigned this grateful work.” Mr. Blaine listened to Gen. Henderson’s adjtdress, standing under an elm tree, with his ’’arms folded on his chest, and his eyes usually cast down, but at times wandering about and. • scanning the faces of the audience. When Gen. Henderson had concluded speaking, Mr. Walker Blaine, the candidate's son, stepped forward and handed his father the manuscript of the address in reply to that of the committee. Mr. Blaine then read as follows: Mb. Chairman and Gentlemen of the National Committee: I receive, not without deep sensibility, your official notice of the action of the national convention already brought to my knowledge through the public press. I appreciate. more profoundly than I can express, the honor which is implied in the nomination for the Presidency by the Republican party of the nation, speaking; through the authoritative voice of its duly accredited, delegates. To be selected as a candidate by such an assemblage, from the list of eminent statesmen whose names were presented, fills me with embarrassment. I can only express my gratitude for so signal an honor, and my desire to prove worthy of the great trust reposed in me. In accepting the nomination, as 1 now do, I am Impressed and I am oppressed with a sense of the labor and responsibility which attaches to my position. The burden is lightened, however, by the host of earnest men who support my candidacy, many of whom add, as does yonr honorable committee, the cheer of personal friendship to the pledge of political fealty. A more formal acceptance will naturally be expected, and “will in due season be communicated. It may, however, not be inappropriate at this time to say that I have already made a careful study of the principles announced by the national convention, and in whole and In detail they have my heartieat sympathy and meet my unqualified approval. Apart from your official errand, gentlemen, I am extremely happy to welcome you all to my house. With many of you I have already shared the duties of public service, and have enjoyed most cordial friendship. I trust your journey from all parts of the great republic has been agreeable, and during your stay in Maine you will feel that you are not among strangers, but among friends. Invoking the blessing of God upon the great cause which we jointly represent, let ns torn to the future without fear and with manly \ At the conclusion of Mr. Blaine’s reply, the' members of the committee were introduced to him Individually; and an hour was spent In social and informal converse. The members of the committee then repaired to the residence of Col. Osgood, where they were entertained at lunch. How Darid Davis Led Lincoln’s Forces to Victory in ’56. The second National Republican Convention was called to meet at Chicago on Wednesday, the 16th of May, 1860, and Mr. Seward’s friends regarded his nomination for President as certain. The Illinois State Republican Convention met at Decatur a fortnight previous. It was attended by the political friends of Abraham Lincoln, who had written urging them to come, as he thought that if supported by the Illinois delegation he might secure the nomination. Few of them agreed with him, but they worked zealously for him, and elected three Lincoln delegates-at-large David Davis, Norman B. Judd, and Stephen T. Logan. The other delegate, Orville H. Browning, was b Bates man, but Lincoln approved of his election, saying that Bates would have no show, and that when Browning saw this, he would not only go over to'him but would take some of his fnends with him. Jnflge Davis had never attended a primary meeting or a caucus, much lees a convention, but Lincoln prevailed upon him to go to Chicago and conduct his campaign- The Judge arrived on the Saturday night previous to the meeting of the convention. He found that the parlors of the hotels had all been engaged, and he had to establish* his headquarters in two small, cemecfjbg rooms in the third story of the-Trembht Honqe. The ontlookfwae not encouraging, as the only Lhjjbolnfdmen on the ground were a few. of“tlu£.deJti&tes from Illinois and Indiana] Thuriow Weed had thoroughly organized the Seward cohorts, and the streets were filled with thousands who were

shouting the New York war cry. Lincoln’s E levies were scattered tar and wide and at the mercy of disciplined politicians, y had no organization. They were even without headquarters. The hotels were, packed with the noisy friends of Bates and Seward. L i > David Davis proved himself a political Cannot, and threw the railsplitter’s dag to the breeze. The raw levies were gathered and disciplined. Night and day was he busy, forming combinations and visiting delegations. Horace Greeley, under .the guise of a delegate from Oregon, appeared as the leader of the Bates men, and Thuriow Weed tooted defiance from his Seward bngle. Davis visited both leaders, and was showered with chaflfc But his raw levies were not without backing. On Saturday night he telegraphed to the lawyers of the Eighth Circuit, assuring them that Old Abe’s stock was rising, and that its value would be greatly enhanced By the presence of his friends in force. It was an electric 6hock. The State was aroused. On Monday and Tuesday trains pourfid into the city overflowing with Lincoln shooters. They were enthusiastic friends, who gladly paid their own way out of love for Lincoln. They massed themselves in the streets, and raised a din that astonished the noisy retainers of Seward. They thronged the corridors of the hotels and awoke the echoes of the night with their cheers. Hourly their number increased. They poured into the wigwam as soon as the doors were opened, and the very atmosphere of the convention seemed surcharged with their enthusiasm. The two small rooms on the third floor of the Tremont House were the scene of unwonted activity. Every order was promptly executed. Lawyers acted as messenger* and judges watched the cars for belated delegates. Tinder Davis’ guidance the work was thoroughly done, When he entered the city on Saturday night barely fifty weakkneed delegates stood under the Lincoln flag. On tiie first ballot the rail-splitter polled 102 votes, to 173 J for Seward and 48 for Bates. The lanky cohorts in the galleries nearly lifted the roof with their cheers. The second ballot gave Lincoln 181, Seward 184£, and Bates 35. Again the brawny friends of Old Abe roared with delight. The Seward men turned pale, and Thurlow’s knees smote together as he saw the writing on the wall. Lincoln was nominated on the next ballot by a vote of 354 to 110 J for Seward, and the whole State of Illinois was thrown into ecstasy. That night Judge Davis went to bed for the first time in six days, having conquered at a total cost, all told, of S7OO.