Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-29
STILL STRONG FOR REFORM.
Letters and Speeches at the Boston
Tariff Reform Banquet.

About 225 people sat down to the annual
banquet of the Massachusetts tariff reform
league at the Hotel Vendome, Boston, last
night Among the distinguished persons pres
ent were Secretary Fairchild, President Eliot,
of Harvard; Col. T. W. Higginson, Repre-
sentative P. A. Collins, Hon. John F. Andrew,
Hon. Henry L. Pierce, Hon. George s. Hale,
G. r. Goldman, Hon. Leopold Morse, Jesse Met
calf, NJ. T. Stevens, Representative Burnett,
W. B. Rice and William Endicott.
In his opening speech Hon. W. Z. Russell
said the gathering was not one of interested
capitalists to rejoice over political victory,
but q gathering in the interests of the propa-
cation OF great politico-economical reform.
Referring to the election, he said there was q
misfortune in the defeat of President Cleve-
land, brave and honest man. Three cheers
were here given for President Cleveland
THE PRESIDENTS LETTER
was then read, expressing regret at his in
ability to be present. Continuing, the letter
said Of the objects of the league: This reform
appears to me to be as far-reaching in its pur-
poses as the destiny of our country, and as
broad in its benefcence as the welfare of our
entire people. 1t is because the efforts Of its
advocates are not discredited by any sordid
motive that they are able. boldly and conf
IDENTIFY, to attack the strongholds of sel6shness
and greed. So long as the advocates
of tariff reform appreciate the sentiments in
which our institutions had their origin, so long
as they apprehend the forces which alone can
guide their operations, so long as they in u
spirit of true patriotism are consecrated to the
services OF their country, temporary defeat
brings no encouragement. 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 reject
ing every alluring overture and every decep-
tive compromise which would betray their
sacred trust, they themselves shall regain and
restore the patrimony of their countrymen,
freed from the trespass of grasping encroach-
ment. and safely secured by the genius of
American justice and equality"
The letter was greeted with cheers. and the
presidents health was drunk standing.
SECRETARY FAIRcHILD's SPEECH.
Secretary Fairchild was then introduced as
the representative of the administration. He
said the struggle for tariff reform had only be-
gun. The record Of the late canvass brings
no encouragement to our cause, but on the
contrary, high hopes for the future It shows
US that wherever intellect was aroused. thought
invoked, and experience appealed to we made
great gains, that We lost only in those places
where mind was dominated by passion, where
partizanship and the blind prejudice Of race
for whole country. 1t is true, the tariff
should be settled and forever removed from
the domain of politics, for it not only disturbs
business, but. infinitely worse, it prevents the
simple purpose Of universal beneficence. for
which alone our government is fitted. 1t con-
verts our legislative halls into scenes of barter
between conflicting interests where wrangles
over means to enable men to get more and still
more money from our citizens become the chief
character Of peoples representatives. 1t de-
grades business and often makes success there
in the prize Of dishOnor. It corrupts the peo-
ple."
LETTER FROM SPEAKER CARLISLE
was read, in which he said: ''This struggle has
just commencedin this country, and those who
delude themselves with the hope that it will be
abandoned before the triumph of right over
wrong are simply augmenting the weight of
the blow that will inevitably fall upon them in
the future. This is not threat but friendly
warning. The history of all movements for
necessary social or political reforms shows that
they grow more radical by opposition and
delay, and it would be wise and patriotic upon
the part of our opponents to recognize the in
evitable and accede to reasonable demands
now, rather than to be forced to accept harder
terms hereafter"
Letters of regret we're also read from Secre-
tary Endicott, David A. Wells, President i've,
OF Bowdoin college; Carl Schurz Gen. Francis
A. Walker, and others. Speeches were made
by Representatives Collins and Fitch, Edward
Atkinson, President Eliot, Col. Higginson, and
Representative Morse. At the close Of the ban
quet three times three" cheers were given for
President Cleveland.