Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-28
CLEVELAND BANouErrED.
Tho Young Mems Democratic Club
of New York Entertain Him.

democratic party were present. The cheers
were long and loud when the ex-president
entered the banquet hall. He submitted to
the handshaking of the guests for an hour be-
fore taking his seat ut the table. Cleveland
was dressed in sombre black. There was
more of the glow of health in his face than
at the time he retired from the presidency.
He appeared in the best of spirits. All the
factions OF democracy were represented at
the banquet.
When the presiding officer introduced Mr..
Cleveland there was o furore of applause
which threatened to overstep all bounds.
When quiet was finally restored MIR. Cleve-
land began his speech. He said:
"Many incidents of my short residence in
this good city have served to fill my cup of
gratitude and to arouse my appreciation OF
the kindness and consideration of those
with whom | have made my home. The
hospitality for which the citizens of New
York have long been distinguished, has out
done itself in my welcome, and yet can
truly say that none of these things will be
more vividly or gratefully remembered than
the opportunity afforded me by this occasion
to greet the political friends see about me.
While l believe no one is more susceptible
than am OF every personal kindness, and
while 1 am sure no one values more
his personal friendship, it certainly should
cause no surprise when ! say these things
are not more cherished than my attachment
and loyalty to the true democratic faith and
my obligations to the cardinal principles of
its party organizations. have been honored
by my party far beyond my deserts. Indeed,
no man can deserve its highest honors. After
six years OF public service return to you.
my party friends. Six years have stood as
your representative in state and nation, and
now take my place again in the ranks more
convinced than ever that the cause of true
democracy is the cause of the people. their
safeguard and their hope. come to you with
no excuses or apologies and with no confess
sion of disloyalty. 1t is not given to man to
meet all the various and conflicting views of
his party duty and policy which prevail in an
organization where individual opinion is so
freely tolerated as in the democratic party,
and yet when they are honestly held and ad-
vocated they should provoke no bitterness or
condemnation, but when they are dishon-
estly proclaimed as a mere cover and pre-
text for personal resentment and disappoint-
ment, they should be met by the exposure
ana contempt which they deserve. No man
can lay down the trust which he has held IN
behalf of a generous and confiding people
and feel that at all times he has met in the
best possible way the requirements of his
trust, but he is not direlict In duty IL he has
consclentiously devoted his efforts and his
Judgment to the peoples service.
81 have deliberately placed in close con-
nection loyalty to democratic principles and
devotion to the interests of the people-for,
in my view, they belong together, and should
mean the same thing, but in this day of par
tisan feeling and attachment it Is well for us
to pause and recall the truth that the only
justification for the existence Of any party is
the claim that in principle and performance
it's object and purposes are the promotion of
the public good, and the advancement of the
welfare and prosperity of the entire country.
There never was party platform or decla.
ration OF principles which did not profess
these things and make them the foundations
of party creed, and any body of men who
should openly proclaim they were asso-
ciated together for the express purpose
of gaining supremacy in the govern
msnt tSa with the sed of
among their associates would be treated with
ridicule and scorn. Thus are we brought
face to face with the proposition that parties
should no more than individuals be untruth-
full and dishonest. OF course, in the suprem-
acy of party there are advanta to it's
members, and this is not amiss But when
high party aims and professions are lost
sight of or abandoned, and the benefit of
remain to inspire party activity, not only is
| the confidence of those relied on for
patriotic support forfeited, but elements of
cohesion and of effective and lasting political
strength are gone. ssszHsA
The honest difference of opinion that must
always exist upon questions Of principle and
| public policy should furnish abundant occa-
sion for the existence of parties and point
out their field of usefulness.
When we seek for the cause of the perpet-
uity of the democratic party and It's survival
through every crisis and emergency and in
the face of all opposition, we find it in the
fact that its corner store is laid in devotion
to the rights of the people and in sympathy
with all things which tend to the advance
ment OF their welfare and happiness. Though
heresy may have sometimes crept into its
organization, and though party conduct may
at times have been influenced by the shift
ness which Is the nabitual device Of its oppo-
nents, there has always remained
deeply imbedded in its nature and character,
that spirit Of true Americanism and that
love of popular rights which has made it
indestructible in disaster and defeat and has
contributed it a boon to its country in its
time of triumph and supremacy. Happily
the party creed which we profess is not
within such narrow lines that obedience does
not permit us to move abreast with the ad-
vanced thought of the country and to m eet
and test every question and apply principle
to every situation.
"True democracy, staunch in it's adhesion
to fundamental doctrine, is at the same time
in proper sense progressive.
"'rrue democracy honestly advocates q
national brotherhood, to the end tnat all our
fellow countrymen may aid in the achieve
ment of the grand destiny which awaits us
as nation, and 1t condemns that preteXt of
liberality and harmony which when partisan
advantage is to be gained, gives way to in
hammatory appeals to sectional hate and
passion 1t does not favor the multiplication
of offices and salaries merely to make par
tIsans, nor the use of promise and bestowal
of place for the purpose of sitting the press
and bribing the people. 1t seems to tighten
tho burden Of life in every home and to take
from the citizens for the cost of government,
the lowest.possible tribute.
''We know we have expoused the cause cS>
right and justice. We know we have no.
permitted duty to the country to wait upon
expedience. We know we have not trafficked
our principles for success We know we
have not deceived the people with false
promises and preteases, ana we know we
have not corrupted nor betrayed the poor
with the money of the rich. Who shall say
these things promise no reward and that
triumph shall not follow the enlightened
Judgment and sober second thought of our
countrymen.
'"rhere are to-day no weak, weary and
Respondent members of true democracy,
and there should be none. Thought
full attention to political topics
Is thoroughly aroused. Events are day
by day leading men to review the reasons
for their hasty affiliations, and supporters of
principles are constantly recruited by intel
ligent, young and sturdy adherents. Let us
deserve their confidence, and stunning all
ignoble practices, let US remain steadfast to
democratic faith and to the cause OF our
country. II we are true and loyal to these,
the day of our triumph win surely and
quickly come and our victory shall be fairly
and nobly won through the invincible spirit
of true democracy"