The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-04-22
PRESIDENTIAL YEAK.
Mr.. Titden has Lest Mono Of His
Letter Writing Ability. -

khb
Mr.. Tiiden has Lest Mono OF His
Letter Writing Ability. 81
CHIcAso. April l6--The lriqunis Club,
composed OF the most prominent Demo.
Gratis OF the city and STATE, held its IN.
nual banquet at the Palmer House last
night The attendance as usual "a.
very large, and comprised In addition to
leading Democrats of Chicago many dis.
tinguished persons from all parts OF ths
e,untry. Erskine NJ. Pbeip. presided
and made . short speech, saying among
fotber things tha. the obi Ct OF the Club
was to exert It's influence IN favor OF po.
litical reform and especially tariff re,
form Col. W. C. p Breckenridge, ol
Lexington. Ky., delivered the addres.
OF the evening in response to the senti.
ment "The R 'public-Au Indivisible
Union OF Indestructible States (" Letter,
we're read from several prominent men
sm ong them one from Mr. Tllden, which
ELECTED much applause. Mr.. Tilden',
letter was as follows:
| New York. April IL, 1884.
GENTLEMEN: I have had the honor tc
receive your invitation to the third an.
nual banquet OF the Iroquois Club. to
respond to the sentiment 1.-The Fedora
Constitution" have also received pri
vate letters asking . written response to
the sentiment In case I am prevented
from attending. l have been for some
time, and am stlll, exceptionally engross.
ed with business which I have no power
to defer or abandon. must, therefore
communicate with you 10 writing, and
nv answer must be briei.
On the formation of the Federal Con.
stitution, G,uverneur Morris, who had
been conspicuous member OF the Con-
ventiop, on being asked what he thought
OF the Constitution. replied: "1hat de.
pends on how II 10 construed The
Democratic party originated in resist.
ancs bv the more advanced patriots ol
the Revolution to efforts which were
made to change the character OF our
G ,vernment BY false construction oi
the Constitution; imposing on the new
system . .monarchisl bias. Mr.. Jeffar.
sons election in 1900 rescued our free
Institutions from the perils which sur.
rounded them, and secured sky years
of adminis'ration mainly in harmony
with their design and true character.
When an attempt was made to break
up the Union, and to dismember the ter.
ritorial integrity OF the country, the peo
pie were compelled to make Q manly
choice between these cslamities and the
dangerous influences OF civil war upon
the character OF the Government. They
patrioiically and wisely Fesolv ID to save
the Union first. and to repair the damage
which our political system might sustain
when the more immiaeut dangers had
been provided against. The dra work
vas successfully accomplished; bul
twenty years have since elapsed. and the
~ork of restoring the Governments to Ito
original character 10 not yet accomplish
ed.
Our wise ancestors bad warned us i
ne fell into civil discords our free sys'
ten was liable 10 perish 10 the strueg's
by an lnsensible change Of its chsracte,
Not oniy have the hest traditions OF the
patriots who won Independence and e..
tablished freedom lost their authority
but our cherished political system Il
slowly losing its hold upon lie unde,
the fungus growths OF false construction,
and corrupt practices. The governmen,
itself has become meuacing factor In
elections.
As long ago as 1876 I expressed the
opinion that the opposition must eu'
brace st the beginning Of the canvass two
thirds OF the voters to maintsiu ma.
ljorlty at the election. In this history
repeats itself. Ia most countries ih'
Government maintains itself by force .ol
frana. Even 10 the comparatively pop
uiar e5stem OF England the monarct
has until lately controlled the majority o
Parliament, and frequently deciisd eiec
tions by court favors, JOBS, and none.
taken from the public treasury. This Il
hard saying; bot the recent publication
OF papers of her deceased statssmat
leaves no doubt upon the subject.
la our own country, the Government
instead OF standing % au impartial arbi
ter amid the conflicts OF maturing opin
ions ard contensing interests, has itsel
descended into the arena, equipped will
ell the weapons oil pariisanship. 1t
myrisis OF offlce-holders, its alliances il
favor OF or against vast pecuniarv inter
ests. its unlimited command Of money
levied from its dependents and cootrae
tors have sufilced to determine the ma
jority 10 every case but one. 10 tha
csse il collected military forces aroun,
the Capitol, snd b7 this and other me
saces intimi lated the CoDgressiona
Representatives OF the majority OF I'll,
people TO relinquish the fruits OF ihei
victory. and to surrender the Govern
ment to the control OF the minority.
No. reform OF administration is pos
sihic so long - the Government 70 ii
rec,ed by party which is un.ier the do
/ main OF false doctrines, and animate,
by enormous pecunisry Interests In th
perpetuation OF existing abuses. Th
frst etiectasl sep in the reform ri on
Government must be fuadsmehta
change in the policy OF its admiuistra
ltion. TIE work OF reform will be dix
6cuis enough With the whole power o
the Government exsrted IN accomplish
ling IL. I have snch faith in the being
nsnt Providence which has pre-idet
over the destiny OF our country in ever,
great trial hitherto that ! do NOT despai
Iof on. ultimate delivsrance. Though
can no longer aspire ~ be one OF tn
Headers in this great work, bid thos
UPON whom this august mission nav fall
God speed. s. ]. TILDxs.
/ Letters we're also read from Senato
Bayard Of Delaware, General Wad
Hampton OF South Carolina, Rowell T
Flower OF New York, Governor Hoadly
David A Wells, A, ). Hesitt, z B
i Vance, Jo G Blackburn, Governo
Cleveland and Others. Senator Georg
/ II. Peudleton delivered an address Of
reform in the Civil Service, and address
es were made by ex-senator Doolittle