Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-12-29
EXECUTIVE MANSION


EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WAsHINGToN, December D. 1885
Nessrs. Sherman H0dr and Others Co7amittee-
GENTLEMEN: l am exceedingly sorry that can
not be present at the annual dinner OF the
Massachusetts, Tariff Reform League on the
2Sth inst. This is not merely formal aud com.
mon expression OF regret. It truly indicates
how much should enjoy meeting the members
OF your League, and how clad | should be to
express in person my apprecia ion of their serv-
ices TO the cause to which | am earnestly at
tached and to acknowledge at the same time
tnelr frequent ana encouraging manifestations
oi personal friendliness. / know 100 that il
would be profitable and advantageous to be-
even for brief period, within the inspiring
influence of the atmosphere surrounding
patriotic and unSeltiSh men banded to-
gether in the interests of their tel
low counirymen and devoted 10 the work
of tariff reform. This reform aunears TO
me u be as far-reaching in its purposes as the
de'tiuy OF our country, and as broad in its bene-
ticence as the welfare of our entire people Il
IS because the efforts OF its advocates are not
dlscredlted by any sordid motives that they are
aule to boldly and confidently attack the strong
holds of seltishnesS and greed. Our Institutions
we're constructed in purity OF purpose and love
tor humanity. Their operation is adjusted to
the touch OF national virtue and patriotism and
their results, under such guidance. must be the
prosperity and happiness of our people. And
so long as the advocates of tariff reform apprp-
ciaie the sentiments in which our insti-
tutions have their origin; so long as
they appreheDd these forces which alone
Cdi Sulue lueT operation; ; so long as they,
IN spirit OF true patriotism, are consecrated to
the service OF the country, temporary defeat
brings no discOuragement-it but proves the
stubDornness OF combined selhshness, and dis
closes how far the people had been led astray
and how great is the necessity for redoubled ef-
forts in their behalf. To lose faith in the intel
ligence OF the people is to surrender-an aban-
donment of the struggle. 10 arouse this intel
ligence and free il from darkness and delusion
gives assurance of q speedy and complete
victory. In the track OF reform are often found
those who fell in the march. But there viii be
neither despair nor dead hopes in the path of
tariff reform, nor shall its pioneers fail to reach
the light. Holding fast to faith and rejecting
alluring overtureS and every deceptive compro-
mise which would betray a sacred trust they
themselves should regain and restore the
patrimony OF their countrymen-freed fIom the
trespaSs Of grasping encroachment aud safely
secured by the genius of American justice and
equity. Yours, very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The Presidents health was then drank
standing.
Secretary Fairchild was then introduced,
and in the course of his speech he said the
election had by no means settled the ques-
ton of tariff and tariff reform. The record
of the late canvass brings high hopes for
the future. We lost only in those places
where mind was dominated by passion
where partisanship and blind prejudice of
race and section overcome benevolence and
love for whole country.
Speaker Carlisle also spoke in a similar
strain, and speeches We're made by other
prominent Democrats