St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-13
Grover Cleveland Raises His
Voice in Behalf OF Pure
Politics.
The Reform Movement Needs
No Leaders and Is Above
PaPtisanship.
Only the Sordid an1 De-
prayed Refuse to Join in
the Crusade.
Wise Words Spoken by the
Champion OF Reform to
BOStOnianS.

BosToN, Dec. 12.-Over 400 of the
solid business men of Boston and New
England crowded the spacious apart
ments of the Hotel Vendome this even
ing, on the occasion of the annual ban
quet of the Boston Merchants assoeia-
ton. So great was the desire to see
and hear the hHnOrPd guests of the as
sOciatOn that tickats were all disposed
of at a premium days ado, and scores
of applicants were disappointed. At
the round tanle in the center sat
Hon. Jonathan A. Lane. president
of the association. At his right
were ex-President Cleveland and
Messrs. H. W. Grady. w. l.. Putnam,
P. A. Collins. John Lowell, William l.
Russell and Leopold Morse. while at
his left were seated Gov. Oliver Ames,
Andrew Carnegie, Gen. Clinton b.
Fiske, of New Jersey, and Collector
SaItOnstall. all guests of the associa-
ton. The gentlemen who are the
guests of Henry w. Grady in New Eng
ton at the banquet. IL was S:15 o'clock
before President Lane called the atten-
ton of the gathering. After rea ding a
letter of regret from James Russell
Lowell, he proceeded in brief speech
to introduce Gov. Ames.
WHO WELCOMED THE GUESTS
of the occasion. When he mentioned
the welcome extended to the distin-
guished guests from New York the as
SembIy greeted the mention with loud
applause. Gov. Ames then turned to
MIR. Cleveland and said: "lf wicked
Democrats speak as well of me when
retire from Office as Republicans now do
of you. shall be abundantly satisfied"
This sentiment was also loudly cheered.
President Lane then Introduced ex-Pres-
ident Cleveland, as one who. strong IN
his personality, would speak strong
words tonight. which would be heard
all over the land and across the sea, III
behalf of pure politics and those reforms
which are now sweeping all parties be-
fore them. Mr.. Cleveland ~aS greetrd
with long continued applause. shouts
and cheers, the entire assembly riSt9
and waving handkerchiefS and cheering
enthusiastically. Mr.. Cleveland spoke
in a strong well m0dulated voice, and
was easily heard by all. HIS address
was as follows:
Mr. hairman and Gentlemen: When /
see about me this gathering Of business men
aud merchants find it impossible to rio my
self Of the impressive thought hat here is
represented that factor in civilized lie
which measures the progress of people,
which constitutes the chief care Of every en-
lightened government and which gives to
country the privilege of recognized member
ship in the Community OF nations. Our
business men cannot If they would escape
the responsibility which this condition caSis
uDon them-a respOnsi' ility most eXacting
and invested with the seriousness which al.
wavs results from a just apprehension
mans relation to his fellowman and the Oh
legation due from a citizen to his govern
ment They en- find no preteXt for
Indifference in the self com plaeent
claim that under American institutions as IN
other times and in foreign lands, business
men and merchants have only gained rec
OgnitIon OF their Importance and value. as it
has been forced from a government in which
they had no representation and from rulers
who looked upon their vocation with con-
tempt. They cannot absoive themselves from
duty to a government which has at all times
invited them to high place in public eouu-
sells and which has always ungrudgiugly con-
ceded their indispensable value in the growth
and progress of Oar republic. These consid-
erations plainly point out your responsibility
ness and as belonging TO the fellowship Of
trade. You, the business heirs and success
sorS to
THE OLD BOSTON MERCHANTS,
Will pardon me if remind you tonight that
the commanding influence of these men did
not rest upon immense fortunes made in
day. but resulted from their well known
honor and scrupulOus good faith. which led
them to coneede to all. even the uttermOst
fraction of right. Nor did they forget their
duties of citizenship They jealnusly watched
the operations of their government and ex
acted from it Oily economy and honesty ana
inst measure of care and security for them
selves and the interests they had IN charge.
The Boston merchant of to-day has not less
integrity and virtue than his predecessors;
but surely we are not called upon by the fear
OF controversy. TO close our eyes 10 the fact
that hi@ environment is vastly differ.
eut. There is among our people less of
meaning embodied in the sentiment that the
government upon which we have staked all
our hopes and aspirations, requires for its
successful maintenance q patriotic regard
for the aggregate of he happiness and pros
perity of all our people and willing consent
TO fair distribution of the benefits of our
free institutions Equal rights and impartial
Justice are stipulatiOns Of the compact we
have entered INTO witn each otner rs Amerl-;
can citizens: and so nicely adjusted Is this
plan of our political association. that fav0rit-
ism for the sole advantage OF any section OF
our membership inevitably results in an en-
crOachment upon the benefits justly due to
others. But these things sit so lightly upon the
conscience of many. that spirit OF self s1-
ness is abroad in the land, which has bred
the habit OF elamOrons importantly for gov
eminent aid in behalf Of special interests
imperfectly disguised under the cloak CT
solicitude for the public good. Can we see
no contrast between the sturdy self-relilnce
of the Boston merchant in the days that are
past. and the attitude you are invited TO AS
sumo as dependentS upon the favor OF the
government and benefciaTieS nnGer its tax
ing power? Is there not difference between
the ideas that formerly prevailed concerning
the
JUST AND WHOLESOME RELATIONS
which should exist between the government
and the business of the country. and the
present tendency toward government
partnership IN trade? And was there hint
in former days that especial advantages thus
once secured, constituted vested right
which in no event should in the least be dis
turbed? Political selfshness cheapens IN
the minds of the people their apprehension
Of the character and functions of the gov
ernment; il distorts every conception of the
duty of good citizenship, and creates an at
mosphere in which ubiquitous purposes and
designs lose their odious features. IL begins
when q perverted Judgment is won to the
theory that political action may be used
solely for private gain and advantage, and
when tender conscience is quieted by the
ingenious argument that such gain and ad-
vantage are identical with the public welfare
This stage having been reached and self in
terest being fully aroused, agencies are used
and practices permitted in the accomplish
ment of its PURPOSES, which, seen in the pure
light of disinterested patriotism. are viewed
with fear and hatred. The independent
thought and free political preference of those
whom Fate has made dependent upon daily
toll for hard earned bread, are strangied and
loss OF employment. Vie, unsavorr forms
rise TO the surface of our agitated political
waters, and gleefully anticipate in the anx-
iety of selfish interest, their opportunity to
tatten upon corrupted and debauched suf
frage. This train of thought leads US 20 con-
slider the imminent danger which threatens
Us from the intimidation and corruption of
our voters. II is too late to temporize with