The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-12-28
CLEVELAND SPEAK.
GEis words of Wisdom nL Ibe EEHu
qucI OF the Boston MerchauIa'
AssOCiaIiOn.

GEis words of Wisdom at Iho sguu-
qucI OF the Boston MerchauEa'
AssOciaIiOn.
Roston, Mass, Dec. 12.-Prcsident |
Lane then, in very well chosen words, |
introduced ex PresId Cleveland, as
one, who, strong i'll his personality, |
would speak strong words to night |
which would be heard all over the land |
and across the sea in behalf of politics !
and those reforms which are now
sweeping all parties before them.
Mr.. Cleveland was received with
long continued applause, shouts and
cheers, the entire assemblage rising
and waving handkerchiets and cheer
ing again. He spoke in strong, well
modulated voice and was easily heard
by all. His address was as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and Gcntlemcn:-I
When | see about me this gathering OF
business men and merchants, find il
impossible to rid myself OF the impress
sive thought that here is represented
that factor in civilized lite which
measures the progress OF people,
which constitutes the chief care OF
every enlightened government and
which gives to a country the privilege
of recognized membership i'll the com
munity of nations.
Our business men can not, if they
would, escape the responsibility which
this condition casts upOn theIn-a re-
sponsibilty most eXaCting aud invested
with the seriousness which always re
suits from u just apprehension OF mans
relation to his fellowman and the OBJ
| legation due from a citizen TO his gov
ernment. They can find no prCteXt ior
| Indifference in the self complaceut claim
| that under American Institutions as in
other times and in foreign lands bust
| ness men and merchants have only
| gained recognition of their impOr-
tance 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 absolye themselves
from loyal duty to a government
which has at all times invited them to
high place in public councils and
which has always ungrudgingly COnced
ed their Indispensable value in the
growth and progress of our republic.
These considerations plainly point
out your responsibility and duty as
members OF the guild of business and
as belonging to the fellowship OF trade.
But we can not avoid other ref &c
tions leading III the same direction and
related to YOU alone-the business men
of Boston. The scene OF your activity
is the commercial center of a great and
ancient comm onwealth, rich in patri
Otic traultiuns. 1t was upon the waters
of your harbor that the first active an,t
ply sical defiance and opposition wa
made to Odious and unfair imperial
legislation affecting colonial trade, and
the first battle by Americans for liberty
OF the person and tor freedom from um
just and oppressive restraint upon
business was fought within sight oi
your warehouses.
You have beside inherited trust
which shades with sober sentiment
your obligation TO your country and
your fellow-citizens. With the birth ct
American trade there arose on this spot
, merchants OF strong sense and enlighT-
ened enterprise, chiefs among theii
fellows, independent aud sel-reliamr
willing to chance their success up"I
their own effort and foresight, iniieXi
bly, honest and intensely Jealous o
| tllCIE lIoicl. OB'h lphi
wharves and in your counting room
they wrought out their weli-earne,
| fortunes. Their ships were found il
every ocean path and they made theil
: country known in the trade transaction,
of the world. Abroad they Gainer
willing confidence and credit bl theiI
commercial integrity and problty, amt
. at home they were the pride OF thci!
2 countrymen.
These were the old Boston mer.
chants.
You, their business heirs and sue
: cessors, will pardon me il | reminC
+ you tonight that the commanding lii
fluence of these men did not rest upon
immense fortunes made i'll II day, bu
: resulted from their well known hono
= aud scrupulOus good faith, which le,
} them 10 concede to all, even the utter
q most fraction of right. Nor did the,
forget their duties of citizenship. They
= jealously watched the operations q
their government and eXactGd from i
only &C nomy and honesty aud Il ju.
measure of care and security for them
selves and the interests they had II
;, charge.
The Boston merchant of to- daY ha
h not less integrity and virtue Than III
predecessors, but surely we are no
called upon by the fear of controversy
= to close our eyes to the fact that hi
= environment is vastly different II er
r is among our people less OF meanim
:, embodied in the sentiment that lii
j government upon which We hay
!, staked all our hopes and aspirations
Y requires for its successful maintenance
If a patriotic regard for the aggregate g
>, the happiness and prosperity at nlI urr
" people and a willing consent To II ta.
e distribution Of the benefits of onr nv
d institutions.
Equal rights and impartial jusiic
are stipulations of the compact "
- have entered into with each other II
Q American citizens; aud SO nicely All
= justed is this plan of our political asso
If citation that iavOritism for the sole ~
vantage OF any section uf our mem
bership inevitably results in an cn
VI croachment upon the benefits ju~Ii
c, due TO others. But these things sit 5
- lightly upon the ConsciCuCrs 0i mr IA
=, that spirit ut seltiShurs> l. abroad
- the land, which has brcd the habit
clamoruus Importantly tor govern
~ meut aid in behalf Oi special interests