The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1884-04-16
ROQUOB CLUB
A Letter from Sammy J. Tudsn.

The local attendance was very larR'
in addition to which there were al
tinguished gentlemen from all part
of the country. MI. Erskine, pres
dent of the club, in introducing tn
speakers of the evening and sreakl1
of the career of the 1rO1uols said
This club has exerted its influenc
for reform In politics and ~especiall'
upon the great question before tn
people tariff notwithstanding tina
ia the only sure road | o prosperity il
this country now that the wheels o
commerce throughout the length ant
breadth of the land are cloggot
by q buidensome system of protec
tive tariff. We believe the peopl.
should understand and 80 act upoI
this important Issue as 10 enable
themselves to compete in the markets
Of the world and the American flag
again to float triumphantly on every
sea as of yore under Democratic aus.
pices.
After an address by Col. w. C.
Breckenridge, of Kentucky, upon the
sentiment: The Republican indi-
visible union on indestructible
states," the following letter vas read
from Ex-Governor Tilden:
NEW YORK, April IL GENTLE
MEN: I have had the honor to receive
your invitation to the third annual
banquet of the Iroquois club to re-
spont to the sentiment, 1.-The FEEDER
al Constitution" I have also re-
ceivei private letters asking a writ
ten response to the sentiment In CASE
I am prevented from attending. I
exceptionally engrOssed with busi-
ness, which l have no power to defer
or abandon. I must therefore CONS
municate with you in writing and
my answer must be brief. On the
formation of the Federal constitution,
Grover, who had been a %conspicu-
member of the convention, being
asked what he thought of the consti-
tuition, replied that it depends upon
how it is construed. The Democratic
party originated in a resistance by
the more advanced patriots of the
revolution to the efforts which were
made to change the character
Of u Government by false
ly constituting the constitution,
impresslng on the new system a
monarchial basis. Mr.. Jetterson's
election in 1900 saved u free insti-
tutions from the perils which sur
rounded them aud secured sixty
years of administration mainly in
harmony with their desires and true
character. When an attempt was
made to break up the Union and to
dismember the territorial integrity of
the country, people were compelled
to MAKE a manly choice between the
calaluities and the dangerous infu-
ence of civil war upon the character
of the government. They naturally
and wisely resorted to save the
Union first and to repair
the damage which our political
system might sustain when the
more imminent dangers had been
provided against. The first work
was successfully accomplished. But
years have elapsed and the
work of restoring the Government to
its original character is not vet
accomplished. Our wise ancestors
had warned us that if we fell into
civil discords III free system was
liable 10 perish In the struggle by an
lnsensible change of its character.
Dur cherished political system is
losing its hold upon life IN
der the fungus growth Of false con.
struction and corrupt practices. The
itself has become a
main factor in the elections. AS
org ago as '76. I expressed the
opinion that the opposition must en- |
BRACE at the beginning OF the an. !
7ass two-thirds of the voters to
maintain q majority al the election.
n this history repeats itself. In
most countries the government
itself by force or fraud,
IN the comparatively popular |
of England the MOnarcbis,s
AVE until lately contro led a majority
II Parliament and frequently decided !
lections by court favors, Jobs and
money taken from the public treasu-
y. This Is a hard saying, but re-
ent publication of papers of Her
states with no doupt anon
subject. In our WI country the
instead of standing "a an
IMPARTIAL arbiter among Conflicts or
pinion and conteuding Interests
las itself descended into the arena
qulpped with all the weapons of
craftsmanship. Its myriads of Office
'olders; its alliance with or against
asst pecuniary interests; its unlim,t-
q command of money levied from
IS dependents and contractors. have
ufficed to determine a majority in
very case but one. In that case #
objected military forces around the
ountry, and by this and other men
ces intimidated Congressional Rem.
sentatlves of a majority of the peo-
10 rellnquisb the fruits of their
lctory and 10 surrender the govern
to the control Of the maioritv
administrative reform is imnoss,hio
} long as the government ia diractaJ !
v a party which is under the dom;n {
~ oi ialse doctrines and animated
. enormous pecuniary interests and |
e~rpetuatlon of abuse, the effectn. {
step and regard of our government q
De a fundamental change of tho t
?llcy OF It's administration. Work
REFORM will be difficult enonoh G
the whole power of the povern- q
ent e<erted In accomplishing if b
we such faith in benignant Prov; y
nee, VINO has presided over onr q
'untry IN every great trial heretnl f
tnat l do not despair of our mia a
ave de~liverance. Though 7 can - - r
niger aspire to be one of tho laa 10 =
ths great work, 1 bid those nnas +
ID speed. 1nay TALL =
(Signed,) ST r l
.: Corning Judd, Chairmon d .,
1cal COMMITTEE Iroquois Cinh TO- :;
me reading of MI. Tilden;s ,eo- is
Is followed by submitting letter "a
~lnlcatlon from Senator Raw - Som- ~ =
,laware. Senator Bayard OF II
yer OF regret, said: Mess, ~ DIS IL IL
Eat "a Importance are now pend;nms OF " "
e tne two houses OF Conrresang De, 81 81
Is lmpossible 10 ~foreteli wbeS and o.
y come Up for discussion ana they o.
ira lIare OF the country and pro aa the p,
an classes and occupat;onpeer se
md a speedy lessenine Of de- In
,celons on production an ine re-
lsed by the present tar aad trade
lcn are pr badly conoos.;n laws,