Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/313

 GROVER CLEVELAND 261 was grave danger that the bill would be enacted. Behind it was a strong public sentiment, including probably a majority in congress of his own party. His opposition insured, it was believed, the failure of the bill, but also of all chance for his renomina- tion. Yet impelled by a sense of public duty which would not consider personal consequences, he de clared his belief &quot;that the greatest peril would be in vited by the adoption of the scheme&quot;; and he de nounced &quot;the dangerous and reckless experiment of free, unlimited, and independent silver coinage.&quot; The bill was defeated. Notwithstanding the opposi tion and predictions of many leaders of his party, the demand for his renomination steadily increased. The great cause of tariff reform, which as presi dent he had championed and which had carried the country in the elections of 1890, was evidently to be the principal issue in the campaign of 1892, and he was the natural and logical leader. At the national democratic convention which met in Chi cago, June 22, 1892, he was nominated on the first ballot, receiving more than two-thirds of the votes of the convention, though bitterly and unani mously opposed by the delegation from his own state. In his speech of acceptance delivered to a great audience in Madison Square Garden, New York, and later in his formal letter of acceptance of September 26, 1892, he emphasized the need of