Evening journal., 1889-12-13
EMINENT MEN BANQUET.
Ex-President Cleveland Talks
of Pc 'tical Perils.
BALLOT REFORM A STAR OF HOPE

business men of Boston and New England
crowded the spacious apartments Of the
Hotel Vendome last evening on the occasion
Of the annual banquet Of the Boston Mer-
chants association. From 10 q o'clock
reception was held in the hotel parlors, at
which many Of the members of the assoeia-
ton were introduced to tho special guests Of
the evening -Ex-P President Cleveland, An
drew Carnegie, Henry w. Grady and Hon.
W. l. Putnam, Of Maine. AT o'clock tho
march was taken to tho dining hall TO
music by the Germania orchestra. The hall
was elaborately and elegantly decorated
with banners and flowers
How They Were Seated.
At the round table in the center sat Hon.
Jonathan A. Lane, president Of the associa-
tion; at his right were ex-President Cleve-
land, II. w. Grady. Hon. W. L. Putnam.
Hon. r A. Collins, Hon John Lowell, Hon.
William T. Russell and Hon Leopold Morse,
at his left were seated Governor Oliver Ames,
Andrew Carnegie, Gen. Clinton B. Fiske, Of
New Jersey Hon. Homer Rogers, president
OF the Boston board Of aldermen; Francis
Lynde Stetson, Of New York, and Collector
saltonsall Among the other well known
people We're; Ex-Governor CASTOR, Edward
Atkinson, Assistant United States Treasurer
Ranney, President Smith, Of the New York
chamber Of commerce, Ex-Governor Bullock.
Of Georgia; John H. Inman and Hon Pat
rick Calhoun.
Graceful Compliment to Cleveland.
Governor Ames cordially welcomed the
delegation, and in closing he turned TO ex-
President Cleveland and said: "If wicked
Democrats speak as we'll Of me when re-
tire from Office as Republicans now do Of
you, | shall be abundantly satisfied This
sentiment was loudly cheered. President
Lame then, in a very few words, introduced
ex-President Cleveland as one who. strong
IN his personality, would speak strong words
which would be heard all over the land and
across the sea in behalf of pure politics and
those reforms which are now sweeping all
parties before them.
Ex-President CIeveland's Speech.
In the course Of a long speech Mr.. Cleve-
land said; Equal rights and impartial JUS
tiee are stipulations Of the compact we have
entered into with each other as American
citizens; and so nicely adjusted is this plan
Of our political association that favoritlsm
for the sole advantage of any section Of our
membership inevitably results in an en-
cronchment upon the benefits justly due 10
others. Political selfishness cheaperls IN the
minds Of the people their apprehension Of
the character and functions Of the govern
ment; IT distorts every conception Of tho
duty Of good citizenship and creates an at-
mosphere in which iniquitous purposes and
designs lose their odious features. Il begins
when perverted Judgment is won to the
theory that political action may be used
solely for private gain and advantage This
stage reached and self interest being now
fully aroused, agencies are used and prac-
tices permitted which seen in the pure light
Of disinterested patriotism are viewed with
fear and hatred
The Dangers which Threaten Us.
In speaking of the imminent danger from
the intimidation and corruption OF voters
which threatens the republic, Mr. Cleveland
SAID; but we know that when political self
ishness IS destroyed our dangers will disap-
pear; and though the way TO Its stronghold
may be long and weary, we will follow it,
lighting as we 60. There will be no surren-
der, nor will there be desertions from our
ranks. Selfishness and corruption have not
yet achieved lasting triumph, and their
bold defiance will but hasten the day Of their
-~N-- ~~N-NA+ rs No nAA h@-Ad On ana COME
IDENTIFY invite direct conflict with these en-
trenched foes of our political safety, we have
not failed to see another hope which has
manifested itself to all the honest people OF
the land
Ballot Reform the Star of Hope.
This hope, risen like the star Ia the east.
has fixed the gaze Of our patriotic fellow
countrymen, and everywhere they greet
with enthusiastic acclaim the advent of
ballot reform. There are no leaders in this
cause. Those who seem TO lead the move
ment are but swept to the front by the
surging force Of patriotic sentiment 1t rises
far above partisanship and only the needless,
the sordid and the depraved refuse 10 Join
in the crusade 1t is rightly supposed that
corruption Of the voter is entered upon with
such business calculation that the corruptor
will only pay bribe when he has occular
proof that the suffrage he has bargained for
Is cast IN his interest So, too, it is reasonably
expected that if the employe or laborer is at
the time Of casting his ballot removed from
immediate control Of his employer. the
futility Of fear and intimidation will lead
to their abandonment.