The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-04-17
And the Sage, Like a Second
Moses, Appears in Spirit
On the Scene.
Pointing, in Words of Wisdom,
to the Promised Land of
American Prosperity.
The Man From Delaware Also
Sheds Radiant Light on
Republican MisruIe.
CHICAGO'S PET CLUB.

at the Palmer house this evening
The local attendance was very large
in addition to which there was gath
ering of distinguished gentlemen from
all parts of the country.
Mr.. Erskine NJ. Phelphs, president
of the club, introduced the speak
ers of the evening, and speaking of
the career OF the 1roquois,
said: "This club has exerted its
influence for leform in politics, and
especially upon the great question be-
fore the people, tariff reform, believ-
ing that it is the only sure road to
prosperity in this country. Now that
the wheels OF commerce throughout
the length and breadth of the land are
clogged by a burdens 0me system of
protective taxes, we feel the people
should understand and so act upon
this important issue as to enable
themselves to compete in the markets
of the world, and the American flag
to float again triumphantly on every
sea as of yore, under democratic aus
pices.
After an address by Col. Brecken-
ridge OF Kentucky, upon the sentiment:
"The republican indiylslble union OF
indestructible states" the following
letter read from Ex-Governor Samuel
j. Tilden:
NEW YORK, April II, 1884.
Gentlemen-I have the honor to
receive your invitation to attend
the third annual banquet of
the Irequoise club to respond
to the sentiment, "the federal coDsti-
tuition" l have also received private
letters asking a written response to
the sentiment in case l am prevented
from attending. l have been for some
time, and am still, exceptionally en-
crossed with business, which
l have no power to defer
or abandon. l must, therefore COM
municate with you in writing, and
nv answer must be brief. On the
formation of the federal constitution
Governor Morris, who had been con-
spicuous member Of the convention,
being asked what he thought of the
constitution, piled: "That depends
upon how it is construed"
The democratic party originated
in its resistance by the more
advanced patriots of the revolution
to efforts which were made to change
the character of our government by a
false construction Of the constitution,
imposing upon it new system Of mo-
narchial bias. Mr.. JeHerson's
election in 1900 rescured our free
institutions from the perils which
surrounding them, and secured sixty
years administration mainly in har-
mony with their design and true
character. When an attempt was
made to break up the union, and to
dismember the territorial integrity of
the country, the people wereforced to
make a choice between these calam1-
ties. and when the dangerous influences
of civil war upon the character of the
government were let loose they patri-
Otically resolved to serve the union
first, and to repair the damage which
our political system might sustain
when more imminent dangers had
been provided against. The
first work was successfully
accomplished, but twenty years have
since elapsed, and the work of restor.
ing the government to its original
character is not yet accomplished.
Our wise ancestors had warned
US that if we fell into civil dis
cords our free system was liable to
perish in the struggle by an insensi-
Bile change of character. Not only
have the best traditions of the patri-
OTIS who won independence and estab-
lished freedom lost their authority,
but our cherished political system is
slowly losing it's hold upon life under
the fungas growth of false
constructions, and the corrup-
tions of government itself
has become menacing factor
in elections. AS long ago as 1879, l
expressed the opinion that opposition
must embrace at the beginning of the
canvass two-thirds of the voters, to
maintain a majority at an election. In
this history repeats itself. In most
countries the government maintains
itself by force or fraud. Even in the
comparatively popular system
of England the Monarch has until
lately controlled a majority OF
parliament, and frequently decided
elections by court favors, jobs and
money taken from the public treas
ury. This is a hard saying, but the
recent publication of papers of de-
ceased statesmen leave no doubt upon
the subject. In our own country the
government, instead of standing as an
imgartial arbiter amid the conflicts of
maturing opinion and contending in
terests, has itself descended into the
equipped with all the weapons of par
tisanship. Its myriads of office-hold-
ers, it's alliance with organist vast pc
cuniary interests, its unlimited COM
mand of money levied from its de-
pendents and contractors, have suf-
70 lott
in every case but one. And
in that case it collected
military torces around the capitol, and
by this and other menaces lntlmldat
ed the congressional representatives
of majority of the people - relin,
quish the fruits of their Victory, and
to surrender the government to the
control of 2 minority. No reform Of
the administration is possible so LONG
rs the government IS oil
rected by a party Which
| is under the dominion of false doc
trines, and animated by enormous
pecuniary interests in the perpetuatloI
of existing abuses. The first effected
step in the reform of our governmen
must be fundamental change in tn
policy of its administration. The worl
of reform will he difficult enough
even with the whole power eXerte'
in accomplishing it. l have such
faith in the benignant providence tina
has presided over the destiny of ou
country in every great trial that d.
not despair of our ultimate deliver
ance. Though / can no longer aspir
to be one of the leaders in this grea
and sood work, l bid those upol
whom this august mission may fal
"God speed"
(Signed) 5. j. TILDENs.
The reading of Mr.. Tilden's lette
was followed by the subjoined CON
municatiAn from Senator Bayard, @
Delaware:
| WASHINGTON, D. c., April 8, g.
s. Corning Judd, Chairman, etc..
duly received the invitation of tn
political committee of the Iroquise clu
, to attend and speak at their annus
banquet on the 18th inst. My remen
brance of their hospitality one yea
ago, when it was my good fortune to
their guest, is potent inducement
| renew the pleasure, but survey {
, my field duty here precludes
Measures of great importance are no.