The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-04-22

On the 18th instant the Iroquois Club,
of Chicago, gave its third annual ban
quet, which was attended by representa-
tive democrats from all sections of the
country. After All address by Col. w. c.
p Breckenridge, the following letter from
Hon. Samuel J. Tilden was read
New YORK, April IL, 1884.
GENTLEMEN: l have had the honor to receive
your invitation to the third annual banquet of the
Federal Constitution" have also received private
letters asking q written response to the sentiment
in case am prevented from attending.
have been for some time and am still exception
ally engrossed with business which have no power
to defer abandon. must, therefore, commu nj
cate with you in writing, and my answer must be
brief ~
On the formation of the Federal Constitution
Gouverneur Morris, who had been conspicuous
member of the Convention, being asked what he
thought of the Constitution, replied That de-
ponds upon how II is construed"
The Democratic party originated in the resistance
by the more advanced patriots of the revolution to
efforts which were made to change the character OF
our Government by false construction of the Con
stitution, and impressing on the new system mo-
narchica bias.
Mr. Jefferson's election in 1900 rescued our free
institutions from the perils which surrounded them
and secured sixty years of administration mainly in
harmony with their design and true character.
and to dsmember the territorial integrity of the
country, people were compelled to make a manly
choice between these calamities and the dangerous
influences of civil war upon the character of the
Government They periodically and wisely resolved
to save the Union first and repair the damage which
our political system might sustain when the more
imminent dangers had been provided against.
The first work successfully accomplished.
But twenty years have since elapsed, and the work
of restoring the Government to it's original charac-
ter is not yet accomplished Our wise ancestors
had ID hat srta
free system liable to perish il the struggle by
an insensble change Of its character. Not only
have the best traditions of the patriots who won
independence and established freedom lost their au
IL ority, but cherished political system is slowly
losing its hold upon life, under the fungus growths
of false constructions and corrupt practices.
The Government itself has become a menacng
factor in elections AS long ago 1876 expressed
the opinion that the opposition must embrace at
the beginning of the canvasses two-thirds of the
voters to maintain majority at the election. In
Government maintains itself by force or fraud
| Even in the comparatively popular system of Eng
| land the monarch has until lately controlled ma.
jority of Parliament, and frequently decided cleo
tions by court favors, jobs and money taken from
| the public treasury This is hard saying but the
recent publication of the papers of her deceased
statesmen leave no doubt upon the subject.
| In our own country the Government, instead oil
standing impartial arbiter amid the conflicts
of maturing opinion and contending interests, has
itself descended into the arena, equipped with al
| the weapons of partsanship. Its myriads of office
holders, its alliances with against vast pecuniary
| interests, its unlimited command of money, levied
from its dependents and contractors, have suffceG
| to determine majority in every but one.
In that case it collected military forces around tho
Capitol, and, by this and other menaces ntimidatet
| the Congressional Representatives Of majority O
the people to relinquish the fruits of their victory
and to surrender the Government to the control o
| a minority
| No reform OF administration is possible so Ions
| as the Government is directed by party which i.
under the dominion of false doctrines and animated
by enormous pecuniary interests in the perpetuatior
| of existing abuses.
The first etfectual step in the reform Of our Gov
eminent must be fundamental change in the policy
of it's administration. The work OF reform will bt
| difficult enough with the whole power of the Gov
eminent exerted in accomplishing it.
| have such faith in the benignant Providence
which has presided over the destiny of country
in every great trial hitherto that do not despair o
| our ultimate deliverance. Though can no Longer
aspire to be one of the leaders in this great work
| bid those of you on whom this august mission may
fall God speed 8. J. TILDEN.
To s. CORNING JUDD, Chairman of the Politica
Committee of the Iroquois Club