Evening journal., 1889-10-23

-%HN~AN"N-
NEW YORK, Oct 23.--The second annual
convention OF the New York State League
OF Democrntic clubs was held In the banqaet
hall a the Hoffman house yesterday Among
the prominent Democrats present were.
President John Boyd Thncher, OF the stats
league, Hon. Daniel L. Griffin, chairman os
the state executive committee; Governor
David B. Hill, Maj John r. McNulty, Hon
Norton Chase, Of Albany; Senator Jacob
Cantor, President John IL V. Arnold, OF tho
board Of aldermen; Edward b. Whitney,
William p O'Mally, OF Ontario; Walter N.
Herman, OF Oneida w. Parker Williams, OF
Hudson; Norman G. Lord, Of Westchester;
W. A. Prince, OF Suffolk, and w. F. Ian
sing, Of Herkimer. About 200 delegates were
present.
President Thacher ca He'd the convention 10
order and introduced Hon John II. V.
Arnold, vice president OF the league, who
made short address Of welcome as presi-
dent Of the Young Mems Democratic club.
Mr.. Thacher responded
d. E. Griffin, chairman OF the state execu-
tive committee was made chairman. and
made brief address.
Governor Mn Speaks.
Governor Hin then appeared and was
greeted with long and tumultuous cheers In
the course of long speech he said:
"rhe campaign in which we are now en-.
gagged is "A most important one. The do
mocracy Of the nation is looking 20 New
York 70 see what we will do. They are look
irs- NTH f,roat apxfott- aud frtar..4 f,r A..
outcome Of our campaign. Our platform
has placed the party precisely whore it stood
one year ago. We have taken no step back
ward. We have given an assurance Of con
sistency and good faith in our attitude be-
fore the American people. One year ago the
Democratic party made deliberate pledge
committing itself to tariff reform We re-
iterate that pledge, and propose 70 fight It
out on that line, no matter how many years
it may take 70 win Our platform distinctly
says that we have never and do not now
advocate free trade. The statement is an
accurate one. We believe that sufficient
revenue should be raised 10 meet the expenses
Of the government economically administer
ed, and that the raising Of greater revenue
is unnecessary and unwarranted.
/ "a Democratic victory now will cheer tho
true friends Of reform in every state in the
Union. IL will encourage every stalwart
Democrat and clear the way for a national
victory in 1892.
Compiim rnts ClevcInnd's Administration.
''We believe that the surplus should be
reduced We believe in strict construc-
tion OF tho constitution. We believe in the
sovereignty of the states We believe In the
honest and economical administration Of
public affairs. The present administratio n,
the longer 1t is in power the more clearly
shows how wise, capable and just was the
administration Of Grover Cleveland Pres
ident Cleveland amply fulfilled the pledges
| Of his party. He conducted the affairs OF
state with ability and for the public good.
The Political Situation.
"In my conversation with our southern
friends found them confident and hopeful
In Virginia met the Democratic candidates
for governor and lieutenant governor They
are making an earnest and energetic and a
hopeful contest, and to them and TO the
nation it is an important contest II in
wolves everything connected with their po-
litical life, and the best wishes Of the democ-
racy Of New York is, / am sure, with them
in their struggle Our people in other states
are active and alert. They are not down
cast, but are organizing for victory, In our
own state the people fully realize the inn
portance Of the issues before them, and are
preparing for that victory which l feel
surely awaits
Ex-President C1eveIand's letter.
The following letter Of regret was received
from ex-President Cleveland:
New YORK, Oct. 81, 1889
Barlow S. Weeks, Esq;
DEAR SIR--I am in receipt Of your invita-
ton TO attend the convention Of New York
state Democratic clubs, to be held at the
Hoffman house on the 22d inst. / am glad
that you were considerate enough OF my
situation and feelings to give me an oppor-
tunity to infer from your note that my
failure 10 accept your invitation would
neither cause great disappointment nor b.
construed as indicating any lack of interest
in tho work which the clubs represented in
the league have undertaken.
These organizations had their origin In the
heat and activity Of a presidential election
which furnishes plenty Of that enthusiasm
upon which political organizations easily sub
sist While they are certainly very usefu
at such time, It must be conceded that the
noise and excitement Of campaign are not
conducive to the accomplishment OF mission
ary work or TO the effective dissemination OF
political truth. This most important worl
can better be done in more quiet surround
ings, though usually it is not then 50 easy K
maintain political associations.
IL has been too often the case, IL it may not
be said TO be the rule, that political clubs
whatever their declarations OF perpetuity
may have been, have only lived during the
campaign in which they had their BIRTH and
only performed temporary campaign work
/ am very much pleased to learn that the
League of New York Democratic clubs in
tends to make the organizations Of which 1
is composed permanent agencies for spread
ing and illustrating the doctrines Of the
Democratic party at all times and in all cir
cumstances.
In making this effort the league is to b
congratulated upon the fact that the prin
ciples Of Democracy occupy at this time 8
larger place than they lately have in tn
consideration of the party. The study an'
propagation of these principles afford stronl
inducements to associated effort and, what
better, these efforts are invested with valu'
and Importance as great as the prosperity o
our land and as broad in their benehcence al
the welfare Of all our people
look to the ascendancy Of the principle
upon which true Democracy rests, whicl
will be greatly aided by the activity o
leagues such as yours to secure us from vast
ing extravagance, from demagogic pretense
from sectional bitterness and from the wide
spread corruption of our suffrage. Coul
labor and effort have greater or higher IN
centives than the accomplishment Of thes