The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-12-29
KEEPING UP THEIR DROPPING SPIRITS.
Democrats IDeciare Their Defeat as
Only a Temporary Set Back,
Which VIII Be overcome When the
Country Is Educated.
The Tariff Reform League Will
Furnish the Teachers.

BosToN, Dec. 28.-The annual banquet OF
the Massachusetts, Tariff Reform League
came off at Hotel Yendome this evening,
The principal guest was Secretary Fairchild.
Among others present were President Eliot
of Harvard, Col T. w. Higginson, Hons.
P. A. Collins. J. F. Andrew, Henry l..
Pierce, Robert Blake, Leopold Morse, C. r.
Goldman, G. S. Hale, Congressman Burnett,
w. l.. Putnam, of Maine, and Congressman
Fitch, of New York. Hon. w. Z. Russell
presided, and made happy opening speech.
He said they were gathered not as band of
interested capitalists to rejoice oyer poll
tical victory, but in the interest of the pro-
pagation Of a great politico-economica re.
form. He said the defeat of President Cleye-
land was a misfortune. He was brave,
honest man. who refused to catch at votes
when the c0untry's good was at stake.
Three cheers were then given for President
Cleveland and the following was read from
him:
ExEcuTIyE MANSION /
WASHINGTON, Dec. "a, 1888.
Messrs. Sherman, Hoar and Others committee;
Gentlemen: am exceedingly sorry that can
not be present at the annual dinner of the Massa-
chusetts Tariff Reform League on the 28th inst
This Is not merely foru'a' and common express
ion of regret. 1t truly indicates how much
should enjoy meeting the members Of your league
aud how glad should to express in person nv
appreciation OF u . important services in a cause
to which am earnestly attached, and to ac-
knowledge at the same time their frequent and
encouraging manifestations of personal friendli-
advantageous to be, even for brief period, within
the inspiring influence OF the atmosphere
SsnGsS sSgrrGUuSpdng patriotic and unselsh men,
their fellow countrymen 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 its benefcence as
The welfare of our entire people. 1t is because
the efforts of its advocates not discredited by
any sordid motives that they are able boldly and
confidently TO attack the strongholds OF selfshness
and greed. Our institutions were constructed In
purity of purpose and love for humanity. Their
operation Is adjusted to the touch Of National vr
tue and patriotism, and their results under such
guidance must be the prosperity and happiness of
our people. And so long as the advocates of tar
III reform appreciate the sentiments in which our
as they apprehend the forces
which alone can guide their operation,
60 az ney X t Of
pOrary defeat brings no dscouragement 1t but
proves the stubbornness of the forces of combined
selhshness, and discl0ses 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 abandonment OF the struggle To arouse their
Intelligence and free 1t from darkness ana delu-
sion gives assurance OF speedy and complete VIC
tory: In the track of reform are often found the
who tall in the march, but there will be neither
despair nor dead hopes in the path Of tariff re-
form, nor shall Its pioneers fail to reach tn
heights Holding fast to their faith and rejecting
every alluring overture and every deceptive COM
promise which would betray their sacred trust,
they themselves shall regain and restore the pa
grasping encroachment and safely secure IL by
the genius of Amelic justice and equality.
Cslgned, Yours very GnoEyhn G5FOlyi CLEVELAND.
President Cleveland's health vas tban
drunk, and three more cheers for him given.
Mr.. Russell then introduced Secretary Fair
child, as the representative Of the admins
tration. Secretary Fairchild said: The tar
i'll reform struggle has just begun. The late
campaign brought no encouragement.
Wherever the intellect was aroused, thought
INVOKED and experienced appeal to our cause
gained greatly. 1t lost only where the mind
was dominated by passion; where partisan
ship and blind race and sectional prejudice
overcame .benevolence and love for the whole
country. The tariff should be settled and
forever taken out of politics, for it disturbs
business, prevents simple purpose Of univer-
sal beneficence for which alone our govern
ment is fitted, converts legislative halls into
scenes of barter between conflicting inter-
ests.
The Secretary complained that the issue
was not fairly presented by the Republicans
and denied that the League could educate
tne people to APPOINT where they would re-
celye its teachings.
REPRESENTATIVE Fitch of New York fol-
lowed. The presiding officer then read let
ters of regret from Secretary Endicott and
Speaker Carlisle. Hon. w. L. Putnam of
Maine. described the economic standstill of
the three northern New England States, un-
der the protection regime. Letters of regret
were read from David A. Wells, President
Hyde of Bowdoin College, Geo. Nj. Stearns,
Carl Schurz, Gen. f. A. Walker and others.