Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-04-25
THE IROQUOlS CLUB.
Annual Banquet OF ChIcsg0's Teny
Demscra.ic Club-A Letter of Re
greet from Congressman Mills.
The Speech of tho Occasion on the Birthday
ofstephen A Douglas Made by Hon.
Melville w. Fuller.

! Ahe StoSCh uI tho oCChBlOn ON tne 6frLuuAy
ofStephen A Douglas Made by Hon.
Melville w. Fuller.
CHICAGO, Ill, April 24-The fifth an
nual banquet of the Iroquois club, held
last night on the anniversary of the birth
day Of Stephen A. Douglass, was a sue
cess from Democratic standpoint.
Plstes were laid for 95e guests, and every
seat was taken when President Newberry
called the assemolage to order. Many
prominent Democrats from all parts OF
the country were present, and the en-
forced absence OF Henry Watterson 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
occupations are already made for The
time mentioned and compel me to forego
the pleasure which you propose to me,
and can only assure you OF my conf
dence that the counsels of the Iroquois
club by their patriotism ana independ-
ence will greatly and arouse popular de-
cision in the impending national debate
of this year"
Chairman Roger Q. Mills Ct the ways
and means committee, writes from
Washington as follows, after expressing
his regret for his nom attendance: "We
are on the eve Of another great national
struggle and the occasion will be ap-
propriste for expressing our devotion to
Democratic principles and our fidelity to
party organization. Our President has
boldly planted the fsg on the field and
challenged our opponent to try the result
with us in this issue presented. He has
done his duty faithfully. He hiss made
every effort to redeem the pledges we
Democrats have given to the people to
reduce taxation. He has called the at
tention of Congress to theiheavy andIup-
necessary burden Of taxation now resting
Oh the necessaries of life. He has urged
Congress to reduce the rates and make
them lighter. These extraordinary
duties are bringing to the National
Treasury an excess Of $4,000, 900 per an
! mum. Yet the Repuoiica are opposing
reductions on food, clothing and imple-
ments of LABOR. II is the duty Of every
Democrat tost and by MIN and support
him, and the Iroquois Club, known all
over the Union for its mistaken fidelity
to Democratic principles, can do good
service to the country by speaking out
boldly in his support and in support Of
the Democratic house who are trying to
carry his recommendation into effect and
relieve the country from the pernicious
results Of this exhausting taxation upon
articles that have to be produced and con
: sumed by the people. II we stand bravely
by the President and force fighting on the
issue Joined between those who favor free
whisky on the one side and those who favor
cheap clothing on the other, we will win
great victory; IL not now we will 60
before the people next November and
achieve victory that will be full OF the
best results to the country and to our
party"
= Letters were also received from Senator
A. II. Colquitt of Georgia, Congressman
Frank Lawler, Governor John W. Davis
5 of Rhode Island, and others.
J After an elegsnt menu had been p-op-
, erly discussed the toasts began, the lead
. day of Stephen A. Douglass" This
WAS responded to by Hon. Melville
W. Fuller, who began his ora
ton by picturesque allusion
to the boyhood and manhood of his sub
jsct. The "Little Giant" WAS traced
step BY step In his phenomenal strides to
the heights he attained. man of the
people, knowing their wants, their hopes,
their aspirations, he drew his own inspira-
,, ton from the people. His environment
may have led him into error, but time will
Vindicete his adherence to the funda-
mental principles Of his political faith.
Those cardinal doctrines were predicated
upon the capacity Of the man for sell rule.
When the war WAS actuslly made,
changing In the twinkling of an eye the
pending issues by the reference Of differ
ences to the dread arbitrament of arms,
: the sagacity of the statesman, the quick
apprehension Of the party leader, the
patriotism Of the lover of his country as
it WAS and as 1t would be, made instan-
taneous response. est Is q question of
}. order" he declared, "of stability of
government, Of the peace Of communi-
ties. The whole social system Is threat
ened with destruction and disruption !"
When the clarion voice proclaimed the only
course Of dignity and safety the feeble out
CRY Of those VINO would have opposed
him died on their gasping lips. This
WAS the GROWING triumph of his career,
q triumph OF which for once calumny
and abuse were not essential parts, q
triumph which left no higher achievement
possible and rendered the opportunity of
MS oe6tn Iar happier Ior MS lame tnan
any felicity of life. For the long days
work was over and 1t was time that he
should sleep.
81 Concluding Mr.. Fuller said, speaking
II hgurativeiy: He saw the vast
military hosts, their duty molly
done, return to peaceful progress with
their fellows. He saw the controversies
between the states adjusted BY judicial
decision and even the presidential sue
cession settled through methods Of self
abnegation and self control. He saw
labor lightly burdened, Its well earned
bread not taken from its mouth for the
OF the few at the expense
tnf ho To- aaU q voup{(oA v,oay>lo