The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-14
Mr. ciryrLASp.s BOSTON ADDRESS

RichmCnl, Va.
MIR. ciEvELASD's BOSTON ADDRESS
The speeches of Mr.. Cleveland now
over brief. and however casual the oc'
casion upon which they are Delivered
are always distinguished for a breadth
and elevation Of view that lift them
very high above the level Of current ad-
dresses apart from that celebrity OF the
sn.s1er which carries a certain degree
of weight in itself. His address on
Thursday last before the Boston Mer-
chants Association is, in many re-
spects. one Of the most notable that we
have from him, containing many points
that are worthy Of thoughtful attention.
This wonderful man never omits an
opportunity to express the profound
confidence which he has in the tunda-
mental good sense and rectitude Of the
American people as a means OF ulti'
mately correcting every evil under
which our institutions are now suiier-
ing. Let the American people, he de-
clares in his recent Boston speech, "be
only aroused from lethargy and indif-
ference by the consciousness of peril,
and they will burst the bonds Of politi-
cal selGshness. revive their political
freedom and restore the purity of the
suffrage" The general adoption OF the
Australian ballot law at the North. a
measure which has had to contend with
all those influences which united to Sc
cure the triumph Of the Republican
marty in the last election, is further
evidence OF the fact which Cleveland
has 80 often emphasized, namely, that
when our institutions are put ID peril
by.oue cause or another, the underiy-
ing patriotism Of the American people
reaches them from the danger which
they have permitted to grow until 1t
threatened their political existence.
AT the time of the last national cleo
ton there were few disinterested OBJ
servers who did not think that they
saw in the corrupt and unblushing use
OF money in the campaign by the ac-
credited agents OF tho Republican party,
which led to the success OF Harrison,
the first long downward step to that
gulf of ruin which has in the past his
tory Of the world swallowed up 30
many republics in it's depths. but
what has been the result OF the en-
ployment OF such iniquitous methods
Of carrying elections2
In the FIST place, the names Of Quay
and Dudley. which are most intimately
associated with these methods in the
minds OF American people, have become
tho synonyms OF all that Is dishonest
and shameless. In the second place,
Harrison, who was the beneficiary OF
their nefarious schemes, has sunk 10
the lowest point OF public contempt,
from which he has not the ability, force
of character or patriotism to rescue
himself. And fually the North, which
was the scene of Republican activity in
debauching the suffrage, has become SO
thoroughly aroused TO the danger OF its
situation, that State after State in that
division of the Republic is introducing
such reforms in their electoral systema
that hereafter bribery will be practi-
cally impossible there.
The growth Of the civil service princi-
Piles of administration in the North IN
opposition to the evil influence OF rapid
rotation in office and promotion for
party services, often of the most
despicable character, constitutes The
most striking testimony to the ability
Of the American people 20 maintain the
security of their institutions, however
openly or insidiously attacked by sle-
ments Of domestic corruption. Cleve'
land paid very lofty tribute to Mas
sachusetts for its patriotic leadership
IN practically inaugurating Civil Ser
vice Reform, and also in furnishing to
the whole county the most impressive
example OF the favorable working Of
the new ballot law, Which 10 hereafter
to be one Of the bulwsrks Of American
liberty, by destroying the influences of
bribery and intimidation, which have
hitherto constituted such dangerous
forces.
II is the most unfortunate feature in
the present situation Of cur own State,
which has never allowed itself to be
surpassed in the application OF useful
public measures, that il is surrounded
by circumstances which are likely to
make the most desirable innovations
most injurious, il not fatal, in their
operation TO the fundamental welfare
OF the Commonwealth. In that, lies
the cruel wrong OF negro suffrage az at
present distinguished. Destroy or mod
ify that suffrage. and what citizen OF
Virginia believes that his native State,
which has done so much for human lib
erty, and which has inaugursted so
many great policies, would be allow to
set even Massachusetts tine example in
oil that constitutes the highest progress
and enlightenment in Commonwealth.
STAIR DEBT.