Evening journal., 1889-05-28
A NOTABLE BANQUET.
Ex-President Cleveland Hon
ored by Friends.
HE Is COMPARED WITH LINCOLN.

Speeches Were Made by Men OF Nationhi
Reputation, and the Axalr Proved one
of the Grandest Ever Given In This
Country.
New YoRK, May 2s = Celebrated and
prominent men have often gathered under
the roof OF the Fifth Avenue hote', but the
assemblage that met there last night was pre-
eminent Over 500 prominent Democrats
gathered to 81 AXE hands and break bread
with ex-President Grover Cleveland The
banquet was given in his honor by the
Young Mems Democratic club OF New York.
The second floor OF the hotel, including all
the parlors and large banquet hall, was given
up to the 450 OF the club members and friends
who one and all offered up their hopes that
Cleveland would carry of the presidential
honors in 1892
MIR. Cleveland Meets His Friends
Before the dinner was announced there was
an informal reception in the large parlors
Mr.. Cleveland talked with many Of his old
friends, and smiled pleasantly in the direction
OF the open doors, where number Of ladies
were looking in
The main entrance TO the banquet hall was
draped with silken American flags, between
which was suspended gigantic hanging
basket Of white and gold wicker containing
lilies, roses and violets
The eight tables were literally covered with
tropical plants and rich exotics, while stately
palms reared their majestic leaves on every
side
The table reserved for the ex-president and
the other distinguished guests ran diagonally
across the room, while the seven other tables
extended lengthwise from this across the en-
tire length of the room Covers were laid
for 396 persons, and fully hundred more
had TO eat their dinner and drin@their wine
from little tables, hastily improvised along
the corridor in the western wing Of the hotel.
A Musical Welcome.
At o'clock Appells orchestra, which was
concealed behind screen Of natural verdure,
struck up "See, the Conquering Hero Comes.
and ex-Presdent Cleveland, leaning on the
arm Of the Hon. John H. v. Arnold, presi-
dent Of the club, entered the banquet hall and
took his seat in the center of table A, between
Mayor Grant and MIR. Arnold. At the same
table were seated Hon. f. J. Phelps, Hon G.
+. Black, Hon. J. e. Rus ell, Hon. W. l..
Scott Mr. j. T. Simmons Hon. A. 7. Fitch,
Mr.. w. Boul Ike Cochran, Hon. G. s. Fair
| =
Hin, Hon. w. c. r. Breckenridge, Hon.
George Hoadly, Mr.. IL w. Grady, Hon. +.
A. Collin, Mr. Daniel Lamont, Mr.. Jeifer-
son Nj. Levy, Hon. q. Nj. Waller, Hon. J. w.
Daniel and Mr. w. ID. Garrison.
After the guests were seated w. L. Cuvtis
|, the secretary OF the club, read letters Of re
r gret from ex-Secretary Of State Bayard ant
3 Governor Fitzhugh Lee.
4 When il came time to light cigars Mr.
y Arnold happily, and without wasting an.
J. great number Of words, proposed the healt
Of Mr. Cleveland. There was a smultaneou
raising of many glasses and series Of yocif
erous cheers that echoed throughout th
4 building for ten minutes When the bump
: ers had cen drained Gud lowered and th
q guests lid resumed their seats, Mr.. Cleve
q land Strengthened himself u his full height
. rubbed his substantial hand across his broaI
n forehead, beamed good naturedly for a mo
d ment on the attentive gentlemen about him
and said:
Mr.. CleyelRnds Speech.
Many incidents Of my short residence in thi
, good city have served % I'LL my cup Of grattud
y and TO arouse my appreciation OF the kindnes
6 aud consideration Of those with whom ! hav
+ | made my home The hospitality for which tn
. citizens Of New York have long been distinguishes
has outdone itself IN my welcome. The member
A OF my profession have up my return 10 itE &C
tivites received me with frnternal greetings, an,
personal friends have not permitted me to fee
like stranger In a strange city. Aud yet ! cal
truly say that none Of these things viii be NOR
v vividly or gratefully remembered than the oppor
o tunity afforded me by this occasion to greet tn
: political friends / see about me. While beiev
that no one is more susceptible than Of ever.
: personal kindness and while am sure that n
!, one values more his personal friendships II Ger
y tanly should cause no surprise When say tina
these things are not more cherished than my at
tachments and Loyalty 70 true Democratic fait
and my obligations 10 the cardinal principles q
Y its party organization.
1 Back in the Party Ranks.
|. Ihave been houored by my party far beyon
y my deserts. Indeed, no man can deserve it
I highest honors. After six years Of public service
= return 70 you, my party friends Six years hav
~ stood as your representative IN the state an
nation and now l take my place again In ia
ranks more convinced than ever that the caus
Of true Democracy is the cause Of the people
l. their safeguard and their hope.
,r leone to you with no excuses nor apologies an
|, with no confession Of disloyalty. II is not give
z 10 man 20 meet all the various and coEnictin
i, views Of party duty and policy which prevail /
= an organization where individual opinion is S
a- freely tolerated as ia the Democratic party. b
cause these views are various and conflicting
some Of them must he wrong. And yet whe
they are honestly held and advocated, they shoul
\ provoke no bitterness condemnation; bt
when they are dishonesty proclaimed. as a mel
y cover and pretext for personal resentment an
ls disappointment. they should be met by the e.
re posure and contempt which they deserve. II wit
ID sincere design ana intent charged with part
4 representation has kept the party faith thi
must answer his party Obligation
No man can lay down the trust which he hi
held in behalf Of agererous and confding peopl
: and feel that at all times lac has met ia the bes
u possible way the requirements Of his trust; bl
he is not derelict in duty if he has conscientious
- devoted his efforts and his Judgment TO the PEE
y pies service.
sr Faith Kept with the People.
10 We know that we have espoused the cause
right and Justice. We know that we have N
permitted duty to country to walt upon expeC
ency We know that we have not trafliczed o
re principles for success. We know that we ha'
in not deceived the people with false promises Al
ig pretenses, and we know that we have not &C
of Iupted nor betrayed the poor with the money
the rich.
Who shall say that these things promise no
ward and that triumph shall not follow the Z
lightened Judgment and the sober second thoug
y of our countrymenY
d. There are to-day no weak weary and despe
IN dent members of the true Democracy-and the
should be none. Thoughtful attention 10 poll
cal topics is thoroughly aroused. Events d
day by day leading men TO review the reaso
=. for their party affiliations, and the supporters
the principles we profess are constantly recruit
10 by intelligent, young and sturdy adherents.
Us Let us deserve their confidence, and shunn
all ignobe practices, let US remain steadfast
Democratic faith and 10 the cause Of our countr
II we are true and loyal TO these, the day Of o
IA triumph will surely and quickly come and o
I shall Ina fairly through n