defined and executed foreign policy, save under Democratic administration. That policy has ever been in regard to foreign nations, so long as they do not act detrimental to the interests of the country or hurtful to our citizens, to let them alone. As the result of this policy, we recall the acquisition of Louisiana, Florida, California and of the adjacent Mexican territory by purchase alone, and contrast these grand aquisitions of Democratic statesmanship with the purchase of Alaska, the sole fruit of a Republican administration of nearly a quarter of a century.

The Federal Government should care for, and improve, the Mississippi river and other great waterways of the republic, so as to secure for the interior States easy and cheap transportation to tide water.

Under a long period of Democratic rule and policy, our merchant marine was fast overtaking, and on the point of outstripping, that of Great Britain. Under twenty years of Republican rule and policy, our commerce has been left to British bottoms, and almost has the American flag been swept from 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 of a century of Republican rule and policy, despite our manifest advantages over all other nations in high-paid labor, favorable climates and teeming soil, despite freedom of trade among all these United States, despite their population by the foremost races of men, and an annual emigration 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, non-producing standing armies, despite

twenty years of peace, that 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 pretense 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 the 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 of 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 conntry.

General Butler offered his platform as a substitute, and a vote was taken on the question, resulting in its rejection. Yeas, 97 1-2; nays, 714 1-2. The platform as reported, was then adopted.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

The First Ballot.-Cleveland Leads.-A Midnight Session.-The Fourth Day and the Last Session of the Convention.-The Second Ballot.-A Diversion in Favor of Hendricks.-New York Turns the Tide.-Grover Cleveland Nominated.-Thomas A. Hendricks for Vice-President. Intense Enthusiasm. "Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow."

The preliminaries had now all been concluded, the platform adopted, and the several candidates entered for the contest, it remained to make choice from their number, or from the many whose names had not been formally presented, for the high position of the standard-bearer of the Democracy of the United States, and the probable Chief Magistrate of the nation.

The Convention was ready for it. The strong popular support with which Governor Cleveland had entered the Convention, had not in any way been diminished by the parliamentary efforts of those who held others as a first choice, or by the more strenuous endeavors of the few who were really and heartily opposed to his nomination. He had grown steadily in strength; and although it was impossible to foretell what would be the outcome of the process of balloting, in which many times a momentary enthusiasm or a sudden surprise has swept away a clear majority and turned the tide of votes into an overwhelming and even unanimous choice of another, it was apparent that Governor Cleveland would stand easily in advance of his competitors.

There was a futile attempt to postpone the inevitable on the part of those who favored other candidates; but the Convention was ready for the test, and voted down a motion to adjourn. And then, at midnight on the third day of the Convention, the first ballot was taken.

Upward of an hour was occupied in this ballot, and in recording the changes of votes which several of the States made before the result was declared. This result was finally announced as follow:

More than half a century ago, the Democratic National Convention established the rule that two-thirds of all the delegates assembled from all the States must agree upon the candidate for president. This rule has since been observed; and although it has sometimes operated to prevent the nomination of a candidate who was clearly the choice of a large majority, its wisdom has been tested by time, and is fully acknowledged. This first ballot, however, showed not even a majority for Grover Cleveland; much less the necessary two-thirds. But it was significant that, out of all the States and Territories, in only nine was he left without votes in this first ballot. A stronger position could not be wished, since on this ballot the local and individual pref