The Van Buren press., 1877-06-19
HENDRICKS AND TILDEN.
Honors to the Indiana Statesman in New
York.

NEW YORK, June 22.-Tbe reception
given to ex-Gov. Hendricks, this even
ing, by the Manhattan Club was the oc
casion OF the gathering of the best
known Democrats OF the city. The
rooms were brilliantly lighted up, and q
brass band played outside, and large
crowd assembled on Fifth avenue.
Shortly after 9 o'clock, ex-Govs. Til.
den and Hendricks were announced
amid great cheering and clapping oil
hands The chairman, Al. Vanderpool
briefly introduced the distinguished
guests, and Gov. Tilden spoke as fol.
lowe.
REMARKS OF Ex-Goy. TILDEN.
Everybody knows that after the re.
cent election the men who were elected
by the people president and vice-presi.
dent of the United States were counted
out, and men who were not elected, were
counted in and seated. | disclaim any
thought of personal wrong involved in
this transaction. Not by any act or
word Of mine shall that be dwartcd Or
degraded into personal grievance,
which is in truth
TIE GREATEST WRONG
which has stained our national annals.
To every man Of tour and halt mill
ions, who are detrauded Of the fruits of
their elective franchise, it is as great a
wrong as it is to me, and no less to every
man OF the minority. Ultimately, in
consequence, it will extend its evils III
government, which grow by success and
IMMUNITY. They do not arrest their own
progress; they can never be limited ex-
cept by external forces. II men in pos
sion OF the government can in one in
stance maintain themselves in power
against
AN ADVERSE DECISION AT ELECTIONS,
such an example will be condonod
Temptation exists always. Devices to
give the color oflaw, and false pretonees
on which ground fraudulent decisions
will be made, will not be found wanting
The wrong will grow into practice, if
condoned--if once condoned In the
worlds history, the changes in the scces-
sion Of governments have usually been
the result OF fraud or force. 1t has been
our faith and our pride that we had es
tablished mode of peaceful change to
be worked out by the agency of the bal
lot-box.
The question now, is, whether our cleo
tive system, in its substance, as well as
its form, is to be maintained. This is the
question of questions Until it is final
" settled, there can be no politics found
ed on inferior questions OF administra-
tive policy. 1t involves the
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE,
1t involves the elective principle it
involves the whole system Of popular
government. The people must signally
condemn the great wrong which has been
done to them they must strip the exam
pie of everything that can attract imita-
tors; they must refuse n prosperous i'm
munity. This is not all The people
will not be able to trust the authors or
benetieiaries of wrong to devise reno
dies, but when those who condemn the
wrong shall have power, they must de-
wise measure which shall render a rep
ettion OF the wrong forever impossible.
1t my voice could reach throughout our
country, and be heard in its remotest
hamlet, | would say be of good cheer,
the republic will live. The institutions
ofour fathers are not TO expire in shame.
The sovereignty of the people shall be
rescued from this foul imposition, and be
re-established. Successful wrong never
appears 80 triumphantly as ON the eve Of
its fall. Seven years ago corrupt dy-
nasty eliminated in its power over the
million Of people who live in the city of
New York. 1t had conquered or br!bed
or tlattered and won almost everybody
into acquiescnce. 1t appeared to be in
evitablc and invincible. A year or two
later It's members were in penitentiaries
or in exile. History abounds in similar
examples. We must believe in the right
and the future, A great and noble ma
ton will not sever its political from its
moral life,
AT the conclusion Of the GOVERNOR
address, oxGov. Hendricks, being loud,
y called for, rose and said:
Gentlemen: thank you for the homo,
you do me, appreciate it in part as an
expression of personal respect and con
tidence, but more as declaration and as
surancc of your support fprinciples and
politics of which, in honorable associa
ton with your distinguished citizen,
was made representative in the politi
cal contest of last year. beg to assure
you that appreciate the honor you show
me the more highly, because of your dc
votion to political principles which ex
peGience has shown to be essential to the
preservation of
GOOD AND PURE GOVERNMENT
and the prosperity of the people. Very
earnestly the Democrats of this city and
state, of Indiana, as also of other states
eontended for and demanded the resto
ration of local self government in States
where it had been denied. They insist
ed upon reduction throughout the en-,
tire public services in cxpenditures-not
only by hundreds nor yet by thousands,
but by many millions annually. There
was involved, also, great reduction OF
the vast army of officc-holdors, and the
substitution of an honest for dishonest
administration. Contcndng fer results
so notably right and honorable, their
cause was grand and their victory glori.
Gus. | will not disturb the pleasure of
this occasion by undertaking to recount
the means by which the will and iudr-
mont of the people were defeated. The