The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-05-29
IN HONOR OF CLEVELAND.
EXTENDED A BANQUET OF WELCOME
BY the Young Mems Democratic Club OF
New York City-An Factions OF the De-
mOcracy Represented : Mr. Cleve.
lands Address-Letters of Regret.

Ol NelcOMe 10 eA-TreSlue0t NleNelduu, dt Ine
Fifth-ave. hotel this evening Nearly FIVE hun
dred of the leaders of the democratic party
were present. The enthusiasm evoked by the
presence of Mr.. Cleveland was enthusiastic
TIE cheers were long and loud when the ex-
president entered the banquet hall. He SUBJ
mitted to the handshaking Of the many guests
for an hour before taking his seat at the table.
Mr.. Cleveland was dressed in somber black.
There was more of the glow Of health on his
face than at the time he retired from the presi-
dency. He appeared in the best of spirits.
All factions of the democracy were repre-
sented at the banquet, Tammany, the county
democracy, officers Of the Reform club and of
various other democratic clubs Of this city and
Brooklyn. \ charm was lent to the occasion
by TIE beautiful decorations of the hall.
The march into the banquet hall about s
o'clock led by President Arnold alone
lie vas followed By ex-President Cleveland,
Gov. Hill and Mayor Grant in the order named
each escorted by member of the club under
whose auspices the banquet was given. At the
main table was the guest of the evening; on his
right the club president, J. II. V. Arnold.
Others in places of honor were Gov. Hill,
Mayor Grant ex-Minister to England Phelps,
the Hon. w. L. Scott. the Hon. C. F. Black.
the Hon. j. Z. Russell, the Hon. William f.
Bourke Cochran, the Hon. 4. p Fitch, ex-Secy
Of Of the ct Treasury Isl Faisehid. Fred R. CoudeTt,
Hoadly of Ohio, the Hon. p. A. Collins, Col.
D. s. Lamont and w. d. Garrison.
Before the guests took their seats Mr.. Cleve-
land was rendered an impromptu ovation, in
which not only those in the banquet-room
Joined, but also those who crowded the parlors
outside. When the dinner had been fairly
started an orchestra which was stationed in
recess, began the rendition of selections of
u Il. 4 =
banquet.
Letters of regret were received from Don VI.
Dickinson, Senator Daniel and ex-Secretary OF
State Bayard.
It was nearly II o'clock before the cigars
were lighted and the long list of speeches were
begun.
When the presiding officer introduced Mr..
Cleveland there was a furOre of ap-
plause. and Mr. Cleveland himself arose.
Then it wss that the enthusiasm of the as
sembled democracy arose to point that at
time threatened 10 overstep all bounds.
Men stood on top of the tables. Cheers became
yells Of delight, and the stamping of feet upon
the glass-strewn tables raised a Jingle
ears of the very few, who, like the con.
sclous cause of all this tumult. listened
and waited for lull TO come. But would it
come at all? Just as one salvo of applause
seemed about to subside some one else would
propose three more cheers Tor Grover Cleve-
land, and ere these had ceased to echo
another call would be made, until
the tumult ceased for lack of force.
Mr.. Cleveland stood calmly awaiting the
pleasure OF his friends. His imperturbabilty
was remarked by all who watched his face. He
began his spepch in clear, ringing tone, and
kept il up til he finished. 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 1ork have been dis
tlnguished has outdOne itself In my welcome
The members of my profession have upon my
return 10 its activities received me with frater-
nal greetings, and personal friends have not
permitted me to feel like a stranger in a strange
city. 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 | believe that no one is
more susceptible than / of every personal
kindness, and while am sure that no one val
ues more his personal friendship, it certainly
should cause surprise when say that these
things are not more cherished than my attach
ment and loyalty 10 true democratic faith and
my obligations TO the cardinal principles of its
party organization.
II have been honored by my party far be
yond my deserts Indeed, no man can deserve
its highest honors. After six years of public
service, return 10 you, my party friends Six
years have | stood as your representative in
the 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 confession Of dislOyalty. 1t is not
given 70 man to meet oil the various and con-
hieting views OF party duty and policy which
prevail In an organization where individual
opinion is so freely tolerated as in the demo-
cratic party. Because these views are various
and conflicting, some of them must be wrong.
And yet when they are honestly held and ad-
yocated they should provoke no bitterness
nor condemnation; but when they are dlshon-
estly proclaimed. a mere cover and pretext
for personal resentment and disappointment,
they should be met by the exposure and con-
tempt which they deserve.
IF with sincere design and intent one
charged with party representation has kept the
party faith, that must answer his party obliga-
ton. No man can lay down the trust which he
has held in behalf OF a generous and confding
people and feel that at all times he has met in
the best possible way the requirements of his
trust; but he is not derelict in duty il he has
conscientiously devoted his efforts and his
judgment to the peoples service. | have de-
liberateiy placed in close connection loyalty 10
democratic principles and devotion to the in
terests of the people-for in my view they be-
long together and should mean the same thing.
But ID this day Of partisan feeling and at
tschment, 1t 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 Its object and pur-
poses the promotion of the public good and
the advancement OF the welfare and prosperity
of our entire country. There never was party
platform declaration 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 that they were associated to-
getheT for the express purpose of gaining
supremacy in the government with the sole
intention Of distributing Offices and the spoils
of victory among their associates would be
treated with ridicule and scorn. Thus are we
brought face 70 face with the proposition that
parties should no more than individuals be
untruthful and dishonest. OF course, in the
supremacy of party there are advantages to It's
members-and this is not amiss. But when
high party aims and professions are lost
sight of OF abandoned, and the bene-
6t Of ofiee-holding and personal pelf are
al that remain to inspire party activity,
not only is the confidence of those relied on for
patriotic support forfeited, but the elements of
cohesion and Of effective and lasting political
strength are gone. The honest differences OF
opinion that must always exist upon questions
OF principle and public policy should fu rnish
abundant occasion for the existence OF parties,
and point out their field of usefulness. The
study ana discussion of these questions cannot
fail to result in more valuable citizenship and
more intelligent and better equipped partisans.
When we seek for the cause of the perpe-
tuity of the democratic party and its survival
through every crisis and emergency, and in the
face Of all opposition, fnd it in the fact that
its eornerafone Is laid in devotion IN the rights