The Louisiana Democrat., 1889-06-19
Ex.PREslDENT CLEVELAND.
His Magnificent Address on the Principles
and Aims Of True Democracy.

The dinner recently given by the
Young Mems Democratic Club OF New
York to Grover Cleveland, ex-Presldent
of the United States, at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel, was attended by about
four hundred guests, comprising a
good representation of all factions OF
the Democracy. At the head table
with John H. V. Arnold, president OF
the club, sat ex-President Cleveland.
Governor Hill, Mayor Grant, Comp
troller Lowe, Jefferson NJ. Levy, ex-
Mayor Grace, William Bourke Cock
ran, Ashbel p. Fitch, W. e. T, Breck-
inridge, w. D. Garrison and other In
vited guests. When the presiding
officer introduced Mr.. Cleveland there
was Juror of applause, and when Mr.
Cleveland himself arose the enthusi-
asm OF the assembled Democracy
reached point that at one time
threatened to overstep all bounds.
Men stood on the tops of the tables
Cheers became yells of delight, and as
one round of applause seemed about
to subside some one else would pro-
pose three more cheers for Grover
Cleveland, 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 imperturbility was remarked by
all who watched his face. lie began
his speech in clear ringing tone,
and kept it up till he finished. He
said
MANY incidents Of my short residence In
this good city have served TO I'LL my cup OF
gratitude and TO arouse my appreciation OF the
i kindness and consideration OF those with
whom have made my home. The hosp tality
| for which the citizens of New York have long
| been d.stngu shed has outdone itself In my
welcome The members OF my profession nave,
| upon my return to its activities, received me
with fraternal greetings, and personal friends
have not rernitted me to feel like 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 polit
0~-'~'N
that no one is more susceptible than to every
personal kindness, and while am sure that no
| one values more his personal friendships, IL
certainly should cause no surprise when l say
that these things are not more cherished than
my attachment and loyalty to true Democratic
faith and my obligations to the cardinal prin-
ciples OF its party organization. I have been
honored by my party far beyond my deserts.
Indeed, no man can deserve its highest nonors.
Trot IN Won
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 oil
true Democracy Is the cause OF the people,
their safeguard and their hope.
II come TO you with no excuses nor apolog es
and with no confession of disloyalty. 1t iB mol
given to man to meet all the various and con
tcting views Of party duty and policy which
prevail in an organization where ind vidua
opinion is so freely tolerated rs 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
vocated they should provoke no bitterness mol
condemnation, but when they are dishonestl!
proclaimed as mere cover and pretext fol
personal resentment and disappointment they
should be met by the exposure and contemp
which they deserve. II with sincere desigl
, and intent one charged with party representa-
tion has kept the party faith, that must answe
his party obligation. No man can lay dow
the trust which he has held in behalf of gen
, erous and conflding people and feel that at al
, times he has met in the best possible way tn
requ rements of his trust, but he Is not derelic
In duty IL he has conscentiously devoted hi
, efforts and his judgment to the peoples serv
Toe.
II have deliberately placed in c.ose cor
nection loyalty to Democratic principles an
| devotion to the interests Of the people, for j
my view they belong together and shoul
\ mean the same thing. But in this day c
4 partisan feeling and attachment it IS we'll fo
q us to pause and recall the truth, that the onl
Justification for the existence of any party
the claim that in principle and rerformanc
v its object and purposes are the promotion {
q she public good and the advancement OF tn
welfare and prosperity Of our entire countr.
There never was party platform or declar
ton of principles which did not profess thet
things and make them the foundations OF part
creed; and any body Of men who should OPEN
proclaim that they were associated togeth'
for the express purpose Of gaining supremat
in the Government with the sentiment OF d:
n tributing of1css and the spoils OF victory anon
r the associates would be treated with ridicu
:, and scorn. Thus are we brought face TO fa'
J with the proposition that. parties shoul
II no more than ind viduals, be untrut
a fu and dishonest. or course in the S
:. premacy Of party there are advantages to 1
IL members, and this is not amiss. But whe
e high party aims and professions are lost sg
n OF or abandoned, and the benefit OF ofic
holding and personal pelf are all that rerna
'i to inspire party activity not only is the CO
l. hdence OF those relied on for patriotic suppo
Il forfeited but the element Of cohesion and
~ effective and lasting political strength a
Il gone. The honest differences OF opinion tn
le must always exist upon questions Of princip
&c and public policy should furnish abunda
occasion for the existence Of parties and po:
@ out their field of usefulness. The study al
a discussion OF these questions can not fail
90 result in more valuable citizenship and mo
80 intelligent and better equipped partisans.
~ "When We seek for the cause OF the p'
8. petuity of the Democratic party and It's 81
ia vival through every crisis and emergency, ar
in the face Of all position, We find 1t in
81 fact that the corner Stone is laid in devotion
y the rights Of It's people and sympathy with
a. things which tend to the advancement OF tn
welfare and happiness. Though heresy m
IN sometimes have crept into its orgauizatit
IN and though party conduct may at times ha
j., been Influenced by the stiffness which Is
y habitual device OF its opponents, there has
ways remained deeply imbedded In Its natl
OF and character that spirit OF true Americana
"A and that love Of popular rights which
IA made II indestructible in disaster and defe
sr and has constituted it q boon to its country
its time OF triumph and supremacy. I
=. great founder OF the party, as he consecra'
Ii himself by solemn oath to the faithful p
I'd formance OF the duties Of the President
n office, and pledged himself to the preser
- tion, protection and defense OF the consti
l. tion. after presenting to his assembled felix