, 1888-12-29
The Tariff Reform League.

Boston, Dec. 2S.-The annua, ban
quet of the Massachusetts, Reform League
took place atNtheH otel Vendome this
evening. The principal guest of the eve
ming was Secretary of the Treasury Fair.
child.
Hon. W. F. Russell presided and in his
opening speech said the gathering was
not one of interested capitalists to rejoice
over political victory but a gathering in
the interest of the propagation of the
great political economic reform. A letter
was then read from President Cleveland
as follows:
President CleveIand's Letter.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON.
Dec. 2S.-MeSSrS. Sherman. Hodr and
Others, Committee. -GENTLEMEN: | am
exceedingly sorry that | cannot be present
at the annual dinner of the Massachusetts
Tariff Reform League on the 2Sth inst.
This is not merely a formal and common
expression of regret. 1t truly indicates
how much | should enjoy meeting the
members of your league and how glad |
should be to express in person my appre-
citation OF their important services in the
cause to which | am earnestly attached
and to acknowledge at the same their
frequent and encouraging manifestations
of personal friendliness. L know, too,
that 1t would be profitable and advantage
GUS to be even Tor a brief period within
the inspiring influence of the atmosphere
surrounding the patriotic and unselfsh
men banded together in the interests of
their fellow countrymen and devoted to
the work of tariff reform. This reform
appears to be as far reaching in its pur-
poses as the destiny OF our country and as
broad in its benefits as the welfare of our
entire people.
1t Is because the efforts of its advocates
are not discredited by anv sordid motives
that they are able boldly and confidently
to attack the s~trongholds of selfshness
and greed. Our institutions were con-
structed in purity of purpose and love for
humanity. Their operation is adjusted to
the touch of national virtue and patriot
ism and their results under such guidance
must be for the prosperity and happiness
of the people and SO long as the advocates
of tariff reform appreciate sentiment in
which our institutions had their origin, so
long as they apprehend the forces which
alone can guide their separation, so long
uo ShS III a pun VI 1luC PabllOlloLu art
concerted TO the services OF their country
temporary defeat brings no discourage
ment. 1t but proves the stubborness of
the forces of combined selfishness and dis
closes how far the people have been led
astray and how great is the necessity of re-
doubled efforts in their behalf.
To lose faith in the intelligence of the
people IS to surrender and abandon the
struggled To arouse their intelligence
and flee it from darkness and delusion
gives assurance of speedy and complete
victory. In the track of reform are of
ten 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 re-
form; nor shall the pioneers fail to reach
the height. Folding fast to their faiths
and rejecting every a~lluring overture and
every deceptive compromise which would
betray their sacred trust, they themselves
shall regain and restore the patrimony of
their countrymen freed from the trespass
of grasping encroachments and safely Sc.
cured by the genius of American justice
and equality. Yours truly.
GROVER CLEVELAND.