Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-12-29
TARIFF REFORM BANQUET
Eminent Democrats Meet to
 Feast and Crate.
GROVER CLEvELAND's REGRETS.

Expression-Speaker Carlisle Also Re grets-But There Were Plenty More to Do the Talking and Eating.
 {. BOSTON, Dec 29-The Massachusetts tariff reformers met at the Vendome last night to commemorate the hard work if not to cele- brate the victory of the recent political cam paign. Incidentally they ate a grand dinner and after that had some big tariff speeches by more or less big tariff speakers. Next 10 the absence of President Cleveland, who sent a letter, the disappointment of the feast was the unexpected non-attendance of James Rus sell Lowell, who made the clubs last annual dinner memorable by declaring that Glove land was the finest presidential type since Lincoln. But this did not lessen the enthusiasm, and it was plainly evident that these most radi- cal of the tariff radicals of the country re- garded the defeat of Cleveland as equivalent to a victory for tariff reform. For this gathering they asked that precocious young statesman, Cambridge's beardless mayor, Billy Russell, to preside, and the 3l-year- old gubernatorial candidate of the state Democracy made a speech no less brilliant than the many he made on the stump last fall.
 Round about him at the head table were such old wise heads as President Eliot, Col lector Saltonstall, Congressman-elect An drew George, Fred Williams, Col. Goldman, William Lloyd Garrison, Robert Treat Paine Robert Blakie the woollen manufac- turer, who wants free wool; Henry l.. Pierce, Sherman Hoar, the senator's recreant nephew; Edward Atkinson and hundreds of others always on hand at Mugwump love feasts Secretary Fairchild, as representing the administration, made a speech, which was warmly applauded, and what he said was the chief card of the evening.
 A letter from MT Cleveland was read, as follows:
 EXECUTIVE MANSION,
 WAsHINGToN. D. C., Dec 24 MeSsrs Sherman, Hoar and others, committee: GENTLEMEN-I am exceedingly sorry that can- not be present at the annual dinner of the Massa chusetts Tariff Reform league the 18th inst This is not merely formal and common expreS- sion of regret It truly indicates how much should enjoy meeting the members of your league and how glad should be to express in person my appreciation of their important serv- Ices in a cause to which am earnestly attached, and to acknowledge at the same time their fre- quent and encouraging manifestations Of per sonal friendliness.
 know, too, that it would be profitable and ad- vantageous to be even for a brief period within the inspiring influence of the atmosphere sur rounding patriotic and unSeltsh men, banded to- gether in the interests of their fellow country men and devoted to the work of tariff reform. This reform appears to me to be as far reaching in it's purposes as the destiny of our country and as broad in it's beneflcence as the welfare of our entire people.
 It is because the efforts of its advocates not discredted by any Sordid motive; that they are able, boldly and confidently, to attack the strong holds of selhshness and greed. Our institutions were constructed in purity of purpose and love for humanity. Their operation is adjusted to the touch of national virtue and patriotism, and their results, under such guidance, must be the pros perity and happiness of people, and so long as the advocates of tariff reform appreciate the sentiments in which our institutions had tLeil origin; so long as they apprehend the force: which alone can guide their operations; so long as the in a spirit of true patriotism, are conse crated to the service of thelr country, temporary defeat brings Encouragement. It but proves the stubbornness of the forces of combined self ishneSS, and discloSes how far the people have been led astray and how great is the necessity o redoubled efforts in their behalf.
 To lose faith in the intelligence of the people i a surrender and an abandonment of the struggle To arouse their intelligence and free it iron darkness and delusion gives assurance of speedy and complete victory.
 In the track of reform are often the dead hope of pioneers and the despair of those who fall il the march. But there will be neither deSpai nor dead hopes in the path of tariff reform, no shall its pioneers fail to reach the heights Holding fast their faith and rejecting ever. alluring overture and every deceptive compro mise which would betray their sacred trust, the themselves shall regain and restore the patr mony of their countrymen, freed from the tres pass of grasping encroachment and safely SC cured by the genius of American justice an equality. Yours very truly,
 GROVER CLEVELAND.
 The applause which followed the readin of the letter having abated, President Cleve lands health was drunk standing. Anothe three cheers was given, and then Mr. Russo introduced Secretary Fairchid as repre sentative of the administration.
 MT. Fairchild was received with cheer and clapping of hands After expressing h appreciation of the honor conferred by asl ing him to be the guest of the league, he sai the election had by no means decided u questions of the tariff and tariff reform. IT struggle had only begun.
 Speaker Carlisle sent letter expressin his regret at not being able to be present, an among other things saying: Under tSs ci cumstances all can do is to send you the a surance of my warmest sympathy wit every effort that may be made to advoca the peoples cause in the struggle now goir on between the friends of industrial freedo and the beneficiaries of industrial slayer This struggle has just commenced in tn country and those who delude themSelv with the hope that it will be abandoned fore the triumph of right over wrong a simply augmenting the weight of the bio that will inevitably fall upon them in u future This is not a threat, but friend warning"
 Speeches were also made by Gen P. Collins, Congressman Ashbel P. Fitch, New York, who said the presidents messa voiced the sentiments of many leading publicans; President Eliot of Harvard; C. T. W. Higginson Leopold Morse and oths MURDER IN FREEDMEN'S ROSETTA A Patient Shoots His Sleeping Brother,
 Nurse, Twice Through the Head.
 WASHINGTON, Dec Refreshments h.