The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-05-28
A Speech by the ES-President Full
of Patriotism and With the
Right Ring.
The True Principle OF Governments az
Represented by the Democratic
Party for Many Years.

| hour before taking his seat at the table
| Cleveland was dressed in sombre black
| There is more of a glow of health in hii
face than at the time since he retired from
the presidency and he appeared In the best
spirits. All the factions Of the democracy
were represented at the banquet-Tam
many, the county democracy, officers of the
Reform club and of the various other dem,
ocratic clubs of this city and Brooklyn.
The march into the banquet hall was led
by President Arnold alone. He was fol
lowed by ex-President Cleveland, Gov.
Hill and Mayor Grant in the order named.
each escorted by a member of the club un-
der whose auspices the banquet was given.
At the main table was the guest of the
evening. on the right of President Arnold.
The others in the places of honor were
Gov. Hill, Mayor Grant, ex-Minister to
England Phelps, W. l.. Scott. c. F. Black.
ex Secretary FairchiId, ex-Gov. Hoadley, of
Ohio, and p. A. Collins. About the seven
long tables, laid at right angles to the
guests, were gathered several hundred other
banqueters. Before the guests took their
seats Cleveland was rendered an i'm
prOmptu ovation. When the dinner had
been fairly started the orchestra began the
rendition of selections of music which con-
tinued at Intervals during the banquet.
When the presiding officer introduced Mr
Cleveland there was furOr of applause,
which threatened to Overstep all bounds.
When quiet WAS restored Mr.. Cleveland
began his address, 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
York have long been distinguished has
OutdOne itself in my welcome, and yet L
can truly say that none of these things will
be more vividly and gratefully remem-
ed me by this occasion to
greet the political friends / see
about me. While 1 believe no one is more
susceptible than l OF every personal kind
ness, and while l am sure no one values
more his personal friendships, certainly il
should cause no surprise when 1 say these
things are not more cherished than my at
tachment and loyalty to the true dem
ocratic faith. and my obligations to the
cardinal principles of It's party organiza-
tiOns. have been honored by the party
tar beyond my deserts. indeed, no man can
deserve its highest hOnOrs. After six years
of public service. l return TO you,
as your representative in the state and ma
ton, and now 1 take my place again in the
ranks more convinced than ever that the
people, their safeguard and their hope l
come to you with no excuses OF apologies,
and with no confession OF disloyalty. Ii is
not given to man 70 meet all the various
and conflicting views of party duty and
policy which prevail in an organization
where individual opinion is so freely tOler-
ated as in the democratic party. and yet
when they are honestly held and advocated
they should provoke no bitterness OF con-
demnation; but when they are
cover and preteNt for personal recruitment
and disappointment, they should be met by
exposure and the contempt which they de
served. No man can lay down a trust
which he has held in behalf of a generous
and cOntidiDg people and feel that al ali
times he has met in the best possible way
the requirements of his trust; but il he
Is not derelict IN duty, if he has
cOnscientiously devoted his efforts and his
Judgment to the peoples service.
have deliberately placed in close connection
Loyalty 70 democratic principles and devO-
ton 10 the interests of the people, for in
my view they belong together, and should
mean something; but in this day of par
tlsan feeling and attachment IL 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 the
performance of its object and purposes are
of the welfare and prosperity
OF the entire country. There never was a
party platform or declaration of principles
which did not profess these things and
make them them the foundation of party
creed, and any body of men who should
openly proclaim they were associated to-
Rether for the express purpose of gaining
supremacy in the government with the SEN
timent of distributing the Offices and
spoils of victory among their associates
would be treated with ridicule and scorn.
thus are we brought face 10 face with |
The proposition that parties should, no
more than individuals, be untruthful and |
dishonest or course, in the supremacy of |
party there are advantages to its members
and this Is not amiSs, but when high party /
aims and professions are lost sight of and /
and the benefit of Office holding /
and personal self are all that remains TO in /
spire party activity, not only is the conf 1
dence of those relied on for patriotic sup /
port forfeited, but the elements Of cohesion /
and anSi.,. OF effective and lasting
differences of opinion that must always
exist upon questions of principle and pub /
lIc policy should furnish abundant occa /
sion for the existence OF parties, and point 4
out their held of usefulness When we /
seek for the cause of the perpetuity of the 1
democratic party and Its survival through
every CT SIS and emergency. and in theft
Of all opposition. We find Il In the fact that /
rs rs ,Sa corner ,,os, stone is lad in devotion
with all things which tend 10
the Advancement of their welfare and hap
piness eIhOugh heresy may have erept Ia /
its organization. and though party conduct i
may at times have been Influenced BY 4
methods which is the habltuAl device of il
opponents, there has always remained |
deeply Imbedded in it's nature and charac-
ter that spirit Of true Amerfeaufsm and
that love OF popular rights which has made
It i1destructible in disaster and defeat. and /
has constituted il boon 70
its country in its time of /
triumph and supremacy. Happily the
party creed which we profess Is not within /
such narrow lines that obedience does not /
permit us 10 move abreast with the ad-
vanced thought of the country. and TO
meet and test every question and apply /
principle u every situation True democ-
racy. stauDch in its adhesion 70 its fuDda-
mental doctrine, is at the same time in a
proper sense progressive True democracy
advocates q national brotherhood
~ the end that all our fellow cOuntrymen
nay Aid in the achievement of the grand !
iestiny which awaits us as a nation. and IL
condemns that pretext Of Iiberality and
harmony which, when partisan advantage
. 70 be gained, gives way for in1ammatOTy
appeals to sectional hate and pASsfon |
L does not favor q muItinIi,.afion
n Offices and salaries merely 10
u AXE PARTISAN workers nor use the prom
Sc and bestowal Of place for the purpose OF
Iti1ing the press and bribing the DeoDla
I
very home, and 70 take from the citizens
or the cost Of government the Dowest DOS
uOle tribute. We know we have espo1sed
he cause of right and justice; We know we
laye not permitted our duty 70 the country
% wait upon expediency; We know we
laVe not traff1cked our principles for sue
;ess, We know we have not deceived the
oeopie with false promises and pretenses;
We know we have not corrupted nor be-
ray I'd the poor with the money Of the rich.
" no shall say these things promise no re-
Fard and that triumph shall not follow the
Enlightened judgment and sober sound
nougnt OF our countrymen? There are
members of true democracy, and should
pe none thoughtful attention 70 political
opics is Thoroughly aroused; events are
Jay oy day leading men 10 review the rea-
'ons Tor their party afiliatiou, and the sup
)orters Of the principles We profess are
recruited oy intelligent. young