The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-11-27

Grover Cleveland
His Response to the Toast "Citizen-
ship in America, at the Thurman
Banquet, Cleveland, Ohio, on
Thursday Night, Noyem-
ber 18th.
Mr. Cleveland in answer to the toast
"Citizenship in America" said:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen:
follow the promptings of a heart full
of devotion and veneration, as 1 ten
der from the Democracy Of the great
State of New York, her tribute OF af-
lection for the man whom we honor
tonight. am commissioned to
claim for my State her full share of the
glory which has been shed upon the
American name and character, by one
whose career and example cannot be
-empted and whose renown
cannot be limited ii ownership to
the neighbors and friends of any To-
cality. We contest every exclusive
pretention to his fame and greatness,
because he is neighbor to all the
people of the land; because he is a
friend Of all who love their country;
because his career splendidly illustrates
the best and strongest elements of our
national character; and because his ex-
ample belongs to all his countrymen.
1t is fitting that those who have
faith in our destiny as nation, who
believe that there are noble things
which belong distinctively to our char
acter as people and who prize at its
true worth pure American citizenship,
should gather here tonight. 1t is
given us to contemplate the highest
craftsmanship, the most unyielding
and disinterested devotion to the in.
terests Of the people, and the most
valuable achievements in the cause of
our country's welfare, all Of which
have been stimulated and accomplished
through the influence and impulse of
true, unperverted sturdy Americanism.
We rejoice in the example afforded
on this occasion of genuine American
citizenship, revealed to US as safe and
infallible interpreter of duty in all the
emergencies Of long and honorable
public career, and as an unfailing
guide to usefulness and fame.
In this presence and in the atmos-
phere of these reflections, we should
not miss the lesson they commend to
US, nor fail to renew our appreciation
Of the value Of this citizenship, and
revive our apprehension of the senti-
ments and conditions in which it has
its rise and growth.
And the first of all we should be
profoundly grateful that the elements
which make up the strength and vigor
Of American citizenship, are so natu-
rally related to our situation and are
so simple. The intrigues of monarchy
which taint the individual character of
the subject, the splendor which dazzles
the popular eye and distracts the at
tention from abuses and stiles discon-
tent; the schemes of conquest and sell
fish aggrandizement which make a sell
fish people, have no legitimate place
in our national life. Here the plain
people of the land are the rulers.
Their investiture Of power is only
accompanied with the conditions that
they should love their country. That
they should jealously guard and pro-
tect its interests and fair fame and
that all the intelligence with which
they are endowed should be devoted
to an understanding of its needs and
the promotion Of its welfare.
These are the elements of American
and these are the condi-
tions upon which Our free institutions
were intrusted to our people, in full
reliance, at the beginning and for all
time to come, upon American man
hood, consecrated by the highest and
purest patriotism.
A country broad and new, 20 be
subdued to the purpose of mans exis-
tence, and promising vast and inde-
pendent resources, and people intel
understanding the value of a
free nation and holding fast to an in
tense affection for its history and its
heroes, have had much to do with
moulding our American character and
giving it hardihood and vigor. But
it should nev,r be forgotten that the
influence which, more than all ether
things, has made our people safe de-
positories OF governmental power, and
which has furnished the surest guaranty
and perpetuity of the Repub-
lie, has its source in the American
home. Here our patriotism is born
and entwines itself with the growth of
filial love, and here our children are
taught the story Of our freedom and in
But above all, here in
the bracing and wholesome atmosphere
of accomplishing rugality and econ
omy, the mental and moral attributes
Of our people have been firmly knit
and invigorated. Never could it be
said of any country so truly as of ours,
that the permanency Of its institutions
depends upon its homes.
have spoken of frugali,y and econ
omy as important factors in American
life. l find no fault with the accumu-
lation OF wealth, and am glad tot see
energy and enterprise receive their