OUR NOBLE PRESIDENT
Speech of O.D. Castleman, Delivered in Cold Spring Township, May 26, 1888.
Mr. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN- I rise before you to present to your minds one of the grandest characters in the history of any country. The election of Grover Cleveland as the twenty-second President of the United States marks an era of unusual interest in the history of our country and of peculiar significance in the political succession of parties, which bears within its system the fundamental principles of human liberty. The wonderful survival through twenty-four years of defeat and the final triumph of the party which has elevated Grover Cleveland to the Chief Executive office of the Nation, is a gratifying evidence of the firm convictions and tenacity of purpose which actuate the American citizen in the performance of his duty to that which he believes to be for the best interest of his country; and there can be no better safeguard to the permanency of our institutions than a condition of almost evenly balanced strength between our political parties.
Grover Cleveland was born in the little village of Caldwell, New Jersey, sixteen miles west of New York City and within a few miles of Newark, in the year 1837. In the year 1863, an assistant District Attorney was wanted for Erie County. His traits of character were even at that time so conspicuous that the office appeared to be waiting for him to seek it, and the result was his appointment over many disappointed aspirants. The next office Cleveland held was Sheriff of Eric county; sworn in 1st January, 1871. For this important office his firmness, courage and strict integrity eminently fitted him, and he filled the office with credit to himself and honor of the country. The next office he held was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, and during his first six months in office he saved the city one million dollars. In all his official life Mr. Cleveland has given evidence of the loftiest statesmanship, measured by the standard, not of political trickery, but of honesty, fidelity, industry and patriotism.
The next office that Cleveland was elected to was Governor of the State of New York. This was one of the most memorable gubernatorial campaigns ever fought in the State of New York, and resulted in Mr. Cleveland's election by a majority of one hundred and ninety-two thousand, the largest ever given to any candidate for Governor in the United States. The inauguration of Governor Cleveland took place on 1st of January, 1883, and he quietly went to work early and late, exercising diligence and dispensing with all formality, to the great end of serving his country best.
We now approach that era in the life of Grover Cleveland when the eyes of the Nation began to be turned toward him as a true exponent of the principles of honest and economical government, and a man whose official acts proved him worthy of higher honors and responsibilities. On the 8th day of July, 1884, the Democratic National Convention met at Chicago with a large and able delegation, and Hon. Richard B. Hubbard of Texas was elected temporary Chairman, and Col. William F. Vilas of Wisconsin was elected permanent Chairman. Cleveland's nomination was unanimous on motion of Mr. Hendricks. Then with waving standards, patriotic music by the band, and song after song and general rejoicing, the Convention adjourned.
During the time that the ballots were being cast that made Grover Cleveland the standard-bearer of his party, he was busily engaged at Albany attending to the duties of his office, and at the sound of the cannon firing the salute General Farmworth exclaimed, "Governor, they are firing a salute over your nomination." "Do you this so?" replied Cleveland; "well anyway, we'll finish up this work."
Cleveland has risen from a poor boy to his present exalted position. He stands today from whence he can look upon Mount Vernon. He stands today from whence he can almost see Monticello, where rest the ashes of the immortal Jefferson, the great author of the Declaration of Independence, breathing the same air of the Alleghaneys, looking through the same azure hue, causing his mind to reflect back upon States and statesmen.
