The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-06-08
Ex-PREsIDENT CLEVELAND.
His Magnificent Address on the Principles
and Aims of True Democracy.

IOung men DemOCraJlc IluD OF Now
York to Grover Cleveland, ex-President
of the United States, at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel, was attended by about
four hundred guests, comprising u
good representation of all factions of
the Democracy AT the head table
with John Ii. V. Arnold, president of
the club, sat ex-President Cleveland,
Governor Hill, Mayor Grant, Comp
troller Lowe, jefferson M. Levy, eX-
Mayor Grace, William Bourke Cock
ran, Ashbel p. Fitch, w. c. p Brecl1-
inridge, w. ID. Garrison and other in
vited guests. When the presiding
officer introduced Mr.. Cleveland there
was a furor of applause, and when Mr..
Cleveland himself arose the enthusi-
asm of the assembled Democracy
reached n 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. He 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 fill my cup of
gratitude and to arouse my appreciation of the
kindness and consideration of those with
whom | have made my home. The hospitality
for which the citizens of New York have long
been distngu shed has outdone itself in my
welcome. The members of my profession have,
upon my return to its activities. received me
with fraternal greetings and personal friends
have not permitted me to feel like stranger
in 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-
ical friends see about me, while | believe
that % one is more susceptible than / to every
personal kindness, and while am sure that no
one values more his personal friendships, II
certainly should cause no surprise when 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. l have been
honored by my party far beyond my deserts.
Indeed, no man can deserve its highest honors.
After six years OF public service return to you,
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 Of
true Democracy is the cause OF the people,
their safeguard and their hope.
II come to you with no excuses nor apologies
and with no confession of disloyalty. 1t is not
given to man to meet all the various and con-
ficting views OF party duty and policy which
prevail in an organization where individual
opinion is so freely tolerated as 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 nor
condemnation, but when they are dishonesty
proclaimed as mere cover and preteXt for
personal resentment and disappointment they
should be met by the exposure and contempt
which they deserve. II with sincere design
and intent one charged with party representa-
tion has kept the party faith, that must answer
his party obligation. No man can lay down
the trust which he has held in behalf of gen.
erous and confiding people and feel that at all
times he has met in the best possible way the
requirements of his trust, but he is not derelict
in duty If he has conscentiously devoted his
efforts and his judgment to the peoples serv-
ice.
Il have deliberately placed in close con-
nection loyalty TO Democratic principles and
devotion to the interests of the people, for in
my view they belong together and should
mean the same thing. But in this day OF
partisan feeling and attachment it IS well for
us to pause and recall the truth, that the only
justification for the existence of any party is
the claim that in principle and performance
its object and purposes are the promotion of
the public good and the advancement OF the
welfare and prosperity OF our entire country
There never was party platform or declara-
ton of principles which did not profess these
things and make them the foundations of party
creed: and any body OF men who should openly
proclaim that they were associated together
for the express purpose of gaining supremacy
in the Government with tho sentiment of dis
tributng offices and the spoils OF victory among
the associates would be tra2fed with ridicule
and scorn. Thus we bf0hght face to face
with the proposition that parties should,
no more than individuals, be untruth-
full and dishonest. or course in the su-
premacy of party there are advantages to its
members. and this is not amiss. But when
high party aims and professions are lost sight
OF or abandoned, and the benefit of oiilce-
g holding and personal pelf are all that remain
to inspire party activity, not only is the con-
hdence of those relied on for patriotic support
forfeited, but the element OF cohesion and OF
effective ana lasting political strength are
gone The honest differences OF opinion that
must always exist upon questions of principle
and public policy should furnish abundant
occasion for the existence OF parties and point
out their field OF usefulness. The study and
discussion OF these questions can not fail to
result in more valuable citizenship and more
intelligent and better equipped partisans.
'When we seek for the cause of the per-
petuity OF the Democratic party and its sur
yival through every crisis and emergency, and,
In the face OF all opposition, we lind 1t in the
fact that the corner stone is laid in devotion TO
the rights of its people and sympathy with all
things which tend to the advancement OF their
welfare and happiness. Though heresy may
sometimes have crept into its organization,
and though party conduct may at times have
been Influenced by the stiffness which is the
habitual device OF its opponents, there has al
ways remained deeply imbedded In its nature
and character that spirit OF true Americanism
and that love OF popular rights which has
made IL indestructible in disaster and defeat,
and has constituted II q boon TO its country in
its time OF triumph and supremacy. The
great founder OF the party, as he consecrated
himself by u solemn oath 10 the faithful per.
formance OF the duties OF the Presidential
office, and pledged himself to the preserva'
ton, protection and defense OF the constitu'
tion. after presenting TO his assembled fellow
countrymen the causes OF congratulation
found in the condition OF our country and the
character OF our people, imprcssiyely added:
With all these blessings what more is neces'
sary to make us happy and prosperous peo'
pie? Still one thing more. fellow-citizens-n
wise and frugal government which shall re-
strain men from injuring one another, shall
leave them otherwise free 10 regulate their
own pursuits OF industry and Improvement,