The Russellville Democrat., 1884-05-08
THE SAGE OF GKEYSTONE. MT. T1lden's Vigorous and
 StateSmanlike Views.


 CmIcAGo, April l5. The Iroqnois Club, of this city, composed of gen tlcmen prominent in the Democratic party, gave it's th,rd annual banquet at the Palmer House thls evening.
 The local attendance was very large, in addition to which there was gathering of distinguished gentle men from all parts of the country. Erskine NJ. Phelps, President of the club, introducing the speakers ot the evening, and speaking of the career of the Iroquois Club, said: "This club has exerted it's influence for re- form Ill politics, and especially upon the great question before the people, tariff reform, believcing that it is the only sure road to prosperity in this country, now Shat the wheels of commerce throughout the length and breadth of the land are clogged by the burdensome system Of the pro. tectiye taxes. We feel that the peo- ple should understand and so act up- on 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 auspices.
 After an address by Colonel W. C.. B. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, upon the sentiment "The Republic, an indiyisiblc union of indestructible States" the following letter was read from ex Governor Tilden:
 NEW YORK, April II, 1884.
 CENTLEMEN:-I have had the hon or to receive your invitation to the third annual banquet of the Iroquois Club to respond to the sentiment eThe Federal Constitution. l have also received private letters asking written reponse to the sentiment in case 1 am prevented from attend ing.
 have been for some time and am still unexceptionally engrossed with business, which I have no power to defer or abandon. 1 must therefore communicate with you in writing, and my answer must be brief.
 On the formation of the Federal constitution Governor Morris, who had been conspicuous member of the convention, being asked what he thought of the Consultation, replied "That depends upon how it is con structed.n The Democratic party originated in resistance by the more advanced patriots of the reyo lution to the efforts which were made to change the character of our Coy ernment by false construction of the Constitution and impressing on the new system a monarclical bias.
 Jetferson's electlop in 1900 res cued our free institutions from the perils which surrounded them, and secured sixty years Of administra. tion mainly in harmony with their design and true character. When an attempt was made to break up the Union and to dismemhcr the terri torial integrity of the country, the people were compelled to make a manly choice between these calami ties and the dangerous influences of civil war upon the character of the Government. They periodically and wisely resolved to save the Union first, and to repair the dam age which our political system might sustain when more eminent dangers had been provided against.
 The first work was successfully ac- complished, but twenty years have since elapsed and the work of restor- ing the Government to it's original character is not yet accomplished.
 Our wise ancestors had warned us that if we fell into civil discords oui free system was liable to perish in the struggle by an insenslhle change of it's character. Not only have the best traditions of patriots who won the independence and estahlishec freedom lost their authority, but oui cherished political system is slowly losing it's hold upon life under the fungus growths of false constructions and corrupt practices.
 The Government itself has become a menacing factor in elections. A long ago as 1876 ] expressed th' opinion that the opposition must em brace at the heginning of the can vases two thirds of the voters tt maintain majority at election. II this history repeats itself by force O fraud. Even in the compara.lyely popular system of England the mon arch has until lately controlled 1