The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-12-15
A SENSIBLE SPEECH

A reception was given to GOyeruOr-elect
Grover Cleveland. OF New York. by the Man
hatta Club of the city of New York, on
Tuesday evening of last week. The recep-
ton was attended BY fully one thousand per-
sons, embracing many of the leading Demo
Gratis of New. Y ork, as well as of the adjoin-
ing States. The President of the club bav
ing introduced Mr.. Cleveland in few sp-
propriate remarks, that gentleman made the
following reply sbounding in strong common
sense
'It Is not without great embsrrass ment
that attempt tossaY a few words In response
TO those so well spoken and to express my
thanks for the kindness and good will Of
which this occasion is an evidence. This
scene and these surroundings are new and
strange to me, and, notwithstanding All that
Is calculated to reassure and comfort me in
the kindness of your welcome, when l am
reminded of the circumstances which give
rise to this reunion sense OF grave respon-
sibility weighs upon me and tempers every
other sentiment. We stand tonight in the
full glare of a grand and brilliant manifesto
tion OF popular will, and, In the light OF il,
how vain ard small appear the tricks of pol
itcians and the movements OF partisan ma
chinery He must be blind who cannot see
that the people well understand their pow
eT and are determined to use IL when their
rights and interests are threatened. There
should be no skepticism as to the strength
and perpetuity OF our popular government
Parties and leaders have learned, too, that
the people will not unwittingly and blindiy
follow and that something more than unmean
ing devotion to party is necessary to sc cure
their allegiance / am quite certain, too,
that the late demonstration did not spring
from any pre-existing love for the party call
ed to power. Nor did the people place the
affairs OF state in our hands to be by them
forgotten. They voted for themselves and
their own interests.
''If we retain their confidence we must de-
serve il, and we may be sure they will call
on us to give an account of our ste wardship.
We shall utterly fail to read Alright the signs
of the times, II we are not fully convinced
that the parties are but the instruments
through which the people work their will
and that when they become less or more the
people desert or destroy them. The van
Quished have lately learned these things
and the victOrs will act wisely il they profit
by the lesson. I have heard and read much
of late touching the great responsibility that
has been cast upon me, and it is certainly
predieated upon the fact that my majority
was so large as to indicate that many not
members OF my party supported me- God
knows how fully appreciate the response
biity of the high office to which l have been
called, and how much sometimes feel that
] cannot bear the burden well. 1t seems to
me, however, that the citizen who has been
chosen by his fellows to discharge public du-
Ties owes. no less or more TO LneIn, WheGDer ne
was elected by a small or large ma jOrity. In
either event he owes to the people who hon
ored him his best endeavors to carefully pro-
tect their rights and further their interests.
But il 1t is merely intended to remind me
that as member OF party attached to it's
principles, aud anxious for its continued su.
pTemacy, my conduct should be such as tC
give hope and confidence to those that ART
with us, | have to say that this responsible
lily should be shared by all the members of
the party. An administration is only sue
cessful in a partisan sense when It appears
to be the outgrowth and result of party Drin-
! ciples. Men who lead and others who follow
should all strive to commend 10 the people
/ in this, the time Of our opportunity, not al
Z administration alone, but a party which
! shall appear fully adequate to their wants
/ and useful to their purposes. The time hon
ored doctrines Of the party are dear to me
/ II honestly applied, ] know the affairs o
government weuld be honestly and fittingly
/ administered, and believe all the wants ant
needs Of the people would be met Thel
have survived all changes. Let us holC
( them as sacred trust, and let Us not forge
/ that an Intelligent people will look to tht
/ party they put in power to supply all the
/ various wants and needs, and the party tina
keeps pace with the developments and pro
gTess of the time, which keep in sight it
I landmarks and yet observes those thing!
which are In advance, and which will contin
ue true 20 the people as well as to its tradi
tiOns, will be the domipent party of the fu
ture. In conclusion, may l oespeak for my
self your kind support and consideration
| My only aspiration is faithfully TO perform
( the duties OF the office to which the people
of my State have called me- / hope an
trust that personal endeavOr will light tn
! way to successful administration.