Dickinson, Edward B., Stenographer; National Democratic Committee. Official Proceedings of the National Democratic Convention, Held in Chicago, ILL., July 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th, 1884 . New York: Douglas Taylor's Democratic Printing House, 1884. [format: book], [genre: proceedings]. Permission: Northern Illinois University
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=democrat1884.html

Almighty and Eternal Jehovah, God of nations and of men, we bow in Thy presence here, acknowledging Thee as the sovereign Lord, and Jesus Christ the only King. We thank Thee for this good land wherein we dwell; for its history in the past that has so endeared it to us, we thank Thee; for the courage, and the patience, and the patriotism of our fathers, we thank Thee; for the mighty deeds of the mighty men of old that won this land from its wilderness,

and founded its Government, and proclaimed liberty through-out all its borders, we thank Thee; we thank Thee for its progress in the past, for the abundance of its resources, and for the grandeur of its promise in the future. Almighty God, we humbly entreat Thee to let Thy blessing abide upon this land. Let Thy servant, the President of these United States, and all his counselors, and all our Legislators and our Judges, be filled with the spirit of wisdom from on high. Let all the people throughout all the land be bound together in mutual confidence and charity. Let all self-seeking be suppressed; let all selfish ambition give place to that pure and lofty patriotism that seeks only the Nation's welfare and strives only for 1 the public good. Let truth and righteousness everywhere prevail, I and may these things be first in the thought and purpose of all the people; and we ask that Thou wilt cause righteousness, and peace, and temperance everywhere to reign.

Almighty God, command thy blessing upon this great assemblage of representative citizens while they shall deliberate and determine concerning those things that pertain to the government of the Nation. Endow them plentifully with that wisdom which is first pure, then peaceable and gentle, and easy to be entreated. Let nothing here be done through strife or vainglory. Let them be filled with that charity that is not puffed up and doth not behave itself unseemly; and guide all their deliberations to such conclusion as shall best promote Thy glory; as shall best advance Thy kingdom in the world, and best promote the welfare of this great Nation, and to Thy name, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, we ascribe power, and riches, and dominion, and strength through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

THE CHAIR: Gentlemen of the Convention, harmony seems to be the sentiment of this Convention. Even the air itself seems saturated with a desire, as well as a determination, to nominate a ticket for President and Vice-President satisfactory to the North as well as to the South, to the East as well as to the West — nay, more, a ticket that will harmonize the Democracy of this Union and insure victory in November. Harmony prevailed in the deliberations of the National Committee. No effort has been made to nominate a Temporary Chairman of this Convention in the interest of any candidate, but, on the contrary, one who will preside with absolute impartiality. With this spirit, and to that end, I have been directed by the unanimous vote of the National Committee to nominate the Hon. Richard B. Hubbard, of Texas, for Temporary Chairman.

The question being put to the Convention, Mr. Hubbard was unanimously elected Temporary Chairman of the Convention.

THE CHAIR: The Chair will appoint Senator B. F. Jonas, of Louisiana, the Hon. George T. Barnes, of Georgia, and the Hon. Abram S. Hewitt, of New York, a committee to wait upon Mr. Hubbard and conduct him to the chair.

The Committee thus appointed proceeded to escort Mr. Hubbard to the chair.

THE CHAIR: Gentlemen of the Convention, I have the distinguished honor to present the Hon. Richard B. Hubbard, of Texas, as the absolutely impartial Chairman of this Convention.

Mr. Hubbard addressed the Convention as follows: