The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-24
IR0QU0IS CLUB.
The Fifth Annual Banquet Held
In Honor of the Anniversary of the
Birthday Of Stephen A. Douglas.
The Affair q Great Success From a
Democratic Standpoint.
The Enforced Absence Of Henry
Watterson Greatly Regretted.
Letters From George William Curtis
Roger o. Mills and Others, Read
Mr.. Mills the Feature OF
tho Occasion.

CncAoo, H., April 23.-Tho iith an
nuai banquet OF the Iroquois club, held to-
night on the anniversary Of Stephen A.
Douglas, was success, from Democratic
standpoint. Plates were laid for $50
guests, and every seat was taken when
President Newberry called the asscmblage
TO order. Many prominent Democrats
from all parts OF the country were present,
and the enforced absence Of Henry Wat
terson was productive OF universal regret
Among the letters OF regret received and
read was one from George William Curtis,
who wrote, among other things: "My &C.
cupations already made for the time men
toned, compel me to lose the signal pleas
ure which you propose to me, and can
only assure you of my confidence that
members of this club, by their patriotism
and independence, will greatly aid wise
popular decision in the impending national
debate OF this year"
Chairman Roger o. Mills, of the ways
and means committee, writes from Wash
ington as follows, after expressing his re-
grets for his non-attendance: 1--WE are on
the eve Of another great national struggle,
and the occasion will be appropriate for
expressing our devotion TO Democratic
principles and our fidelity 10 party organi-
zation. Our President has boldly planted
the flag on the field and challenged our op-
ponent TO try results with us in the issue
presented. lie has done his duty faith
fully: he has made every effort TO redeem
the pledges We as Democrats have given TO
the people TO reduce taxation. lie has
called the attention OF Congress 10 the
heavy and unnecessary burden OF taxation
now resting on the necessarics OF life. lie
has urged Congress 10 reduce the
rates and make them lighter. These
extraordinary duties are bringing 10 the
national treasury an excess OF $4,000, 900
per annum, and yet the Republicans are
| opposing the reductions on food, clothing
aud the implements of labor. IL Is the
duty oi every Democrat 10 stand by him
and support him, and the lroquois club,
known all over the Union for its mistaken
fidelity 10 Democratic principles, can do
good service 10 the country by speaking
out boldly in his support and in the sup.
port OF the Democratic House who are
trying 10 carry his recommendations into
effect aud relieve the country from th,
pernicious results OF this exhausiing taxa.
liOn when articles that have TO be pro-
duced and consumed by the people. II
we stand bravelj by the President and
force the fighting on the issue joined be.
tween those who favor free whisky on one
side and those who favor cheap clothing
on the other, we will win great victory,
II not here we will before the people next
November, and a victory that viii be full
Of the best results TO the country and to
our party"
Letters .werc also ss,eiycd from Senator
A. n. Colquitt, OF Georgia; Congressman
Frank lawlcr, Gov. John w. Davis, o
Rhode Island, and others.
After an elegant menu had been prop
crly discussed the toasts began, the leading
one, owing 20 the day, being stephen A.
Douglas" This was responded 10 by IN,
Hon. Melville w. Fuller, who bcgir
his Grafton by picturesque allusior
10 the boyhood aud manhood Of hi
subject. The "LitilcGiant was trace,
step by step IN his phenomenal stride
20 the nights he attained. A man O
the people, knowing their wants, theii
hopes, their aspirations, he drcw hi
own inspiration from the people. His en-
yironmont may have led him into
error, but time will vindicaic hii
adherence 90 the fundamental ten
cts Of his political faith. Those cardina
doctrines were predicted upon the ca
pacity Of man for pli.rulc, and that IN,
attainment Of success In that direction 70
quircd the Independence OF local self
government M contradislinguished from
Capitalization Of power which contain
within itself the elements OF disinicgru
ton. When war was actually made
changing in the twinkling Of an oy,
pending issues by reference Of difference
30 the dread arbiiramcnt Of arms, the ~
gacily oi the statesman, the quick apprc
honsion OF the party leader, the patriot
ism Of this lover Of his country ~ Il wa
and ~ Il would be, made inslantaneou
response. at Is n question oi ORDER N
declared; "of the stability OF government
Of the peace OF communities. Tho Who'll
social system N threatened with dcsiruc
! ton and disruption" And when tia
J clarion voice proclaimed the onl
: course Of dignity and safety. th
, feeble outcry Of those who woul
have opposed him "died on their gnspin
lips" This was the crowning triumph {
: his career, a triumph OF which for ono
! calumny and abuse were not oesentii
2 parts, triumph which left no highe
b achievement possible and rendered ia
p opportunity OF his death far happier e
,, his fame than any felicity Of lie. 10
= the long days work was over, and u vi
Q time that he should sleep. Concluding
Mr.. Fuller said, speaking Hgumliyell
"Hc saw vast military hosts, their dui
nobly done. return a. peaceful progroi
c with their fellows. he saw controversial
}. between States adjusted by judicial deci
!. ion, and even a presidential succcssio
settled through the methods Of scl
abncgaiion and sclfoontrol; he sa
labor lightly burdcncd, iis wei
! earned bread not taken from lis mouil
= and the aggrandiIcmont Of the few at q
x expense of the many cease with the ella
, legislation that engcndcrcd Il, he saw r
united people, growing IN the century
lapse 20 hundreds Of millions, free, pro
y porous and happy, aud its industrial Il
: yasion Of the markets Of the world, lcadir
up the golden year when all mems good
l. each mans rule; and through the web
!. this splendid vision there glismcred :
4. his failing sight The shining thread Of u
a story whispered by coming generations
10 each other Of a great tribune Of the poop
who fought the fight In brave DAYS of o