Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1888-12-29

l FREE TRADERS AT BANQUET
President Cleveland Sends His Regrets
| -He Says kzIs Issue Still Lives and
VIII Eventually Triumph-This They
All Thought.
Boston, Dec. a5.-The annual banquet of
the Massachusetts, Tariff Reform league,
| which took place here at the Hotel Vendome
this evening, proved one of the most brilliant
political gatherings of the season. The prin-
cipal guest of the evening was Omitted States
Secretary of the Treasury Fairchild. Among
the others were President Eliot of Harvard,
Colonel T. w. Higginson, General P. A. Col
Inns, Hon. Henry L. Pierce, Robert Blakee,
Hon. George. S. Hale, @. R. Goldman, Hon.
Leopold Morse, Jesse MetcaIfe, T. Stevens,
Congressman Burnett, w. B. Rice and VIM.
Endicott. Hon. W. E. Russell presided aud
made happy opening speech. Referring to
the election he said that there was misfor-
tune in the defeat of President Cleveland, q
brave and honest man, who refused to catch
at votes when his eountry's good was at
stake.
President Cleveland's letter was then read.
It was as follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Messrs. Sherman, Hoar and others, commit
tee:
Gentlemen-I am exceedingly sorry that
cannot be present at the annual dinner of the
Massachusetts tariff league on the 28th
instant. This is not merely formal and
common expression of regret. It truly in
dicates how much I should enjoy meeting
the members of your league and how glad
should be to express, in person, my appre~
citation of their important services in a cause
to which I am earnestly attached, and to
acknowledge, at the same time, their fire.
quent and encouraging manifestations of per-
sonal frendliness. I know, too, that it would
be profitable and advantageous to be, even
for brief period within the inspiring in
Huences of the atmosphere surrounding
patriotic and unselfish men, banded together
in the interests of their fellowrcountryman
and devoted to the work of tariff reform.
This reform appears to be as FAR reaching
in its purposes as the destiny of our coun-
try, and is as broad in its bene6cience az the
welfare of our entire, people. 1t 10 because
the efforts of our advocate are not discredited
by any sordid motives that they are able
boldly and confidently to attack the strong
holds of sel6shness and greed.
Our institutions were constructed in purity
of purpose and love for humanity. Their op-
Grafton is adjusted to the touch Of national
virtue and patriotism and their results under
such guidance must be prosperity and happi-
ness of our people. Aud SO long as the advo-
Gates of tariff reform appreciate the senti-
ments in which our institutions had their
igin, SO long as they apprehend the forces
which alone can guide their operation, 80
long as they in spirit of true patriotism are
consecrated to the service of their country,
temporary defeat brings no encouragement
It but proves the stubbornnes of the forces
of combined selfshness and discloses how far
the people have been led astray and how
great is the necessity of redoubled efforts in
their behalf. To lose faith in the intelligence
of the people is a surrender and an abandon
ment Of the struggle. To arouse their intel
ligence and free it from darkness and delu-
sion gives assurance of speedy and complete
victory.
In the track of reform are often found the
dead hopes of pioneers and the despair of
those who fall in the march. But there will
be neither despair nor dead hopes in the path
of tariff reform Nor shall its pioneers fail
to reach the heights. Holding fast their faith
and rejecting every alluring overture and
every deceptive compromise which would
betray their sacred trust, they themselves
shall regain and restore the patrimony of
their countrymen, freed from the trespass of
grnsping eneroaehment and safely secured by
the genius of American justice and equality.
Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The applause following the reading of the
letter having abated, President Cleveland's
health was drunk standing. Another three
cheers was given and Mr.. Russell then intro
duced Secretary Fairchild as representative
of the administration. His remarks were of
the same import as the Presidents letter. He
said the struggle for tariff reform had only
just begun and the recent defeat was because
the country was not sufficiently educated to
make the change.
Letters from various individuals were
read, among them one from j. P. Sargent of
New Haven. Elk Congressman P. A. Collins
said the tariff reformers had fought good
fight, had kept the faith, but had not
'fAnished the course" Other speakers were
of the same general drift. The attendance
was about one hundred and twenty-five.