The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-03-23
HONORING ST. PATRICK.
Ex-President CIeveiand's Patriotic
Response TO n Toast.

New York, March l6.-At Del
monico's tonight the friendly SONS of
st. Patrick gave dinner, which was
largely attend, by prominent Irish
men and other distinguished guests.
In response TO the toast: "The United
States," ex-President Cleveland spoke
as follows:
"The words to which / respond give
rise to such various and impressive
reflections that | find it difficult to
determine the line of thought which
should be followed. What is naturally
aud obviously suggested by the senti-
ment proposed is country marvellous
in its growth and development; great
in its power and wealth and free in
the character of its institutions and in
the spirit of its people. There is also
suggested broad and hospitable
country which opens It's gates to the
people of all nations who are willing to
assume the duties of American citizens
in exchange for d share in the blessings
which God has in store for the
American people. Nor can it be said
that in national selfishness and sordid
complacency our country is blind to
| the welfare of others. Wherever there
and for mans enfranchisement, there
will be found the aid and sympathy oi
| the people of the United States. In
this we but follow the promptings
which our free constitution inspires
aud acknowledged the contribution we
have received from the sturdy men o.
other lands TO our population and te
every element of our greatness.
"Iu this reunion of our ancient anC
honorable society reminding us of such
contributions, and where the value ol
American citizenship is fully acknowl
edged, it is in every way fitting anc
proper that we should mention witt
love and with loyalty The United
States have referred to the obvious
| significance of these words as they are
related to a great. PROSPEROUS anC
| free nation. But other nations, too
are great; they are prosperous and
rich, and in d measure they are free
'States' mean any organized govern
ment, tyrannical, monarchial or free
1t is therefore most important that W.
do not miss the reflection that 'tht
| United States alone stand Tor the ont
government, always free and founded
upon human rights and equality before
the law. Thus is presented the unity
of our states and the fundamental i'm
portance OF that unity to all we arr
and all we nope to be.
"Our national life is inseparabls
from this union of the states. Thu'
was it launched upon its career among
the nations of the earth. Its machinery
is suited to no other condition and iti
| InnnnIS Whotaua,
might be the achievements of separate
and disjointed states. nothing but the
triumph of the United States can full,
demonstrate in the eyes of the wOrl(
the success of the American experiment
of self-governInent. To the end tina
our nation might be called the United
States the fathers who forged 80 wei
the bonds of our union yielded 10 eacl
other their opinions and discarded
their prejudices In later years, il
order that the United States might b.
saved as a precious heritage, lives wer
sacrificed aud blood was shed OH man.
a hard-fought battle field. We should
not be content with veneratiOn fo
those who made US a nation, nor will
the sacred and grateful remembrance
of those who shed their blood anC
gave their lives for its perpetuation
We, too, owe duty to the United
States. We can at least teach fraternit,
and toleration, the sure foundations o
our unity and of our country's life
If those lessons are firmly established
in the hearts of our cOuntrymen W
shall. to the extent that we aid in thi
consummation, perform the duty re
quired of us in our day and generation
Let us then cultivate real and genuin
generosity and fraternal kindnes
among all our people. Let us resolv
that no partisan exigency shall excus
the creation or keeping alive of irrita
ton and jealousy among a people al
charged with the safety, the develop
ment and the triumph OF American
, institutions. Our destiny is before us
1t can only be reached by union an
harmony. We are not called upon t
!, surrender or jeopardize and result i
favor of our union we may haye game
,, in it's armed defense, but rather {
foster and secure these results throug
the patriotism of magnanimity.
the presence of the duty God has lai
, upon us as a nation, it should never b
: forgotten that failure waits on dissen
| SlOn duu ulNlslOl, anu tuat SruuSlD
acknowledgment of a common brother
> hood or a halting cooperation i'm
. common patriotic purpose will surel
o check our national progresses.
q "In this assemblage where so large
y representation is found OF the ras
:. which in all stages of oufinati01a 81
a has done 80 much to make25sracinHta
! great, and whose hearts stjll .tus
- divinely to their brethren who 81
struggling for the blessing which al
& here enjoyed to their fullest extent,
a know that any reference to any elemel
= of our freedom and happiness wi
f meet with a heartfelt response.
Here, regardless of place of bir
> or former allegiance, we meet
American citizens, proud of our con
+ try, devoted to her interests al
. prosperity and wishing with enthus
a asm for those less favored the hapl
ness, the freedom, the strength and Il
Il peace which are found in the Unit,
States.'