The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-04-16
TILDEN's LETTER
Read al the Eroquois CIub Banquet in
Chicago.

Chicago.
CHICAGO, April 15.-The Iroquois Club gave
its annual banquet at the Palmer House this
evening, and there was a large gathering Of
distinguished gentlemen from all parts of the
country. A letter was read from Ex-Governor
Tildsn, in which he said:
have had the honor to receive your invita-
Ton to the annual banquet Of the Iroquois
Ciub to respond to the sentiment, 1.-THE Fed
eral Constitution" l have been for some
time and am still exceptionally engrossed with
a business which have no power to defer or
abandon. l must, therefore, communicate
with you in writing, and my answer must be
Drlef. The Democratic party originated in
resistance by the more advanced patriots of
tne revolution to an effort mode to change the
character OF our government by a false con-
structlon OF the constitution and impressing ON
the new system monarchial basis. Jeffer-
sons election in 1900 rescued our free inetitu-
lions from the perils which surrounded them
ana secured go years of administration mainly
~ harmony with their design and true char
acter. When the attempt was made to break
up the Union and to dismember the territorial
integrity of the country the people wisely re-
solved to save the Union first and to
repair the damage which our political
system might sustain when more imminent
damages had been provided against.
Inc first work was successfully accomplished,
Out 2O years have since elapsed and the work
OF restoring the government to its original
character IS not yet accomplished. Not only
nave the best traditions of patriots who won
iinoependence and established freedom lost
sneir authority but our cherished political
system 10 slowly losing its hold upon life un-
DER fungus growth Of false constructions and
corrupt practices. The government itself has
become a menacing factor in elections. As
long ago as 1876 expressed the opinion that
tse opposition must embrace at the beginning
OF the canvass two-thirds Of the voters to
maintain majority at an election. In this
history repeats itself. In most countries the
government maintains itself by force or fraud.
In our own country the government, In
stead of standing impartial aFbitor
amid the conflicts OF maturing
opinion and contending interests, has itself de-
scended into the arena, equipped with all the
weapons Of partisanship, its myriads of office
MARY interests, its unlimited command of
mJney levied from its dependents and con-
tractors, have suff1ced to determine the major
ity in every case but one. In that case it col
lected military forces around the Capitol, and
by this and other menaces intimidat9d the
congressional representatives of a majority of
the people to relinquish the fruits OF their VIC
tory and to surrender the government to the
control of the minority.
No reform of administration is possible 30
long as the government is directed by party
which is under the dominion of false doctrines
and animated by enormous pecuniary interests
in perpetuation of existing abuses. The first
effectual step is the reform of the government
which must be by a fundamental change in
the policy of administration. The work of re-
form will be difficult enough with the whole
power of the government exerted in accom-
plishing it. 1 have such faith in the benignant
Providence which has presided over the desti-
ny OF our country in very great trial hitherto
that do not despair Of our ultimate deliver
ance, and though can no longer aspire to be
one of the leaders in this great work, L bid
those of you on whom this august mission may
fall, God speed.
Senator Pendleton followed the reading of
Mr.. Tilden's letter with speech on civil SER
vice reform which was scsthing criticism of
the spoils system. His chief arguments were
that superfiuous and incompetent office holders
should be dismissed and that salaries SO large
that they can stand 10 or 20 per cent assess
ments for political purposes should be that
much reduced. Other interesting speeches
we're made.