our commerce has been left to British bottoms and the American flag has almost been swept off the high seas. Instead of the Republican party's British policy we demand for the people of the United States an American policy. Under Democratic rule and policy our merchants and sailors flying the Stars and Stripes in every port successfully searched out a market for the varied products of American industry. Under a quarter century of Republican rule and policy, despite our manifest advantage over all other nations in highpaid labor, favorable climates and teeming soils; despite freedom of trade among all these United States; despite their population by the foremost races of men and an annual immigration of the young, thrifty and adventurous of all nations; despite our freedom here from the inherited burdens of life and industry in old world monarchies, their costly war navies, their vast tax-consuming nonproducing standing armies; despite twenty years of peace, Republican rule and policy have managed to surrender to Great Britain along with our commerce the control of the markets of the world. Instead of the Republican party's British policy we demand in behalf of the American Democracy an American policy. Instead of the Republican party's discredited scheme and false pretence of friendship for American labor expressed by imposing taxes, we demand in behalf of the Democracy freedom for American labor by reducing taxes to the end that these United States may compete with unhindered powers for the primacy among nations in all the arts of peace and fruits of liberty.

"With profound regret we have been apprised by the venerable statesman, through whose person was

struck that blow at the vital principle of republics, acquiescence in the will of the majority, that he cannot permit us again to place in his hands the leadership of the Democratic hosts for the reason that the achievement of reform in the Administration of the Federal Government is an undertaking now too heavy for his age and failing strength. Rejoicing that his life has been prolonged until the general judgment of our fellow-countrymen is united in the wish that that wrong were righted in his person, for the Democracy of the United States we offer to him in his withdrawal from public cares not only our respectful sympathy and esteem but also that best homage of freemen, the pledge of our devotion to the principles and the cause now inseparable in the history of this Republic from the labors and the name of Samuel J. Tilden.

"With this statement of the hopes, principles and purposes of the Democratic party, the great issue of reform and change in administration is submitted to the people in calm confidence that the popular voice will pronounce in favor of new men and new and more favorable conditions for the growth of industry, the extension of trade, the employment and due reward of labor and of capital and the general welfare of the whole country."

The members of the Platform Committee paid close attention to every point. Among them were four journalists. The veteran delegate in the convention, the one man who has for forty years been of the Democratic faith and helped to make platforms and candidates, is Alfred E. Burr, editor of the Hartford Times.

Mr. Converse, of Ohio, rose and put in a good word for the platform. He has a good voice, and used it with vehement liberality. When he concluded it was eleven o'clock, and Mr. Cleveland's managers began to fear they would be unable to secure even one ballot that night. Mr. Watterson followed, and was well received. The main question was ordered at ten minutes after eleven, when Butler, in reply to questions, pointed out the sections he desired substituted, and the call by States (a long and tedious process) began. The vote stood 97 yeas and 714 nays. Then Butler moved to add the remainder of his report to the majority report. This was lost, and the majority report was adopted with great cheers. All sorts of motions followed. An attempt to adjourn was voted down, and then the call of States for the nomination of a President was ordered. It was then twenty minutes of twelve.

THE FIRST BALLOT.

Before the State of Alabama had responded to the call a motion for a recess till next morning was interposed and the vote upon it taken by States. The vote on taking a recess resulted in the negative-ayes, 196; nays, 616. The convention then proceeded at 12.05 to take the first ballot, with the following result in favor of the Hon. Grover Cleveland, present Governor of the State of New York.

Q

There was prolonged cheering after the announcement. A motion to adjourn was made at 1.10 A. M. The motion having been seconded by New York, was agreed to, and the convention adjourned until 10 A. M. next day.

CHAPTER IV.

FOURTH DAY OF THE CONVENTION-SECOND BALLOTGROVER CLEVELAND, OF NEW YORK, NOMINATED FOR PRESIDENT BY 683 OUT OF 820 VOTES-THE NOMINATION MADE UNANIMOUS-THOMAS A. HENDRICKS, OF INDIANA, UNANIMOUSLY NOMINATED FOR VICE-PRESIDENT-GREAT ENTHUSIASM OVER THE RESULT-ADJOURNED SINE DIE.

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THE Convention was called to order at 11 o'clock on Friday morning, and prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Clinton Locke, of Grace Church, Chicago. prayed that the consultations of the body be for the furtherance of just and equal laws, for the preservation of liberty, for the punishment of wrong-doers, and for the praise of those who do well; that every delegate should be kept from being guided by his own selfish gain, by his own pride, or his own likings or dislikings.

A delegate from Pennsylvania moved that the convention now proceed to a second ballot. So ordered.

Then Mr. Sowden (Pa.), with thanks to those who had voted for Samuel J. Randall, withdrew that gentleman's name.

The second ballot commenced at 11.20 A. M.

When Illinois was reached Gen. Palmer arose to announce the vote and said, "Illinois casts one