The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1890-03-01
ULEyELAND-WAsHRGfOS.


New York, Feb. 22.-The fourth an
nual dinner Of the New York South
ern Society was held tonight st the
Lenex Lyceum. In front of President
John Calhoun, at the raised dais, was
large "W,s while at the head of the
nine radiating tables respectively were
the remaining letters of Washington
At Col. Calhonn's right sat ex-Presi.
dent Cleveland, and on his left Bishop
Potter. President Calhoun arose and
bid the guests welcome, congratulated
the society upon its prosperity and in
creased membership and financial So
lidity. He said:
"As loyal and patriotic Americans,
we rejoice in the quickening sense of
the people, which everywhere, through
out the country during the year, has
demanded improvement In our politi-
cal condition, a more thorough civil
service reform. a purification Of the
ballot, reduction Of taxation and
economy in the conduct of public af-
fairs, and we especially rejoice at the
~But the year has not been without
its sorrows for US. Since our last din
ner the leader whom we followed a
quarter of q century ago, through four
years Of terrible war, has passed away.
We loved him as our leader, and when
be died we mourned him. Another
loss we have suffered on the bier OF
Henry w. Grady. The North as well
as the South laid loving tribute and
mingling their tears at his grave side
their hearts came closer together
Then Col. Calhoun called upon ex.
President Cleveland to respond TO the
toast, "The birthday of George Wash.
ington.n
Mr.. Cleveland was greeted with en-,
thusiastic cheers. He said:
Mr. President and Gentlemen:
II Is sometimes said of us that We
haye too few holidays, and this per
haps is true. We do not boast the an
tiquity nor the long history which &C
cumulates numerous days of nationa
civic observance; and the rush ant
activity of our peoples life are no
favorable to that conservative and de
liberate sentiment which creates ant
establishes holidays. So far as such day
might commemorate the existence ol
achievements of some conspicuous per
sonage, their infrequency may b,
largely attributed to our democrati,
spirit and the presumption arisin,
from our institutions. In this land O
ours-owned, possessed and governed
by the peoplc-we, In theory at least
demand aud expect that every maj
viii, In his sphere, be patriot, ant
that every faculty Of greatness an,
usefulness with which he is endowed
will be devoted to his country and hi
} fellow man. We have had no deartl
of distinguished men and no bette
heroism has anywhere been seen thai
) here. But they belong so naturally t
us, that we usually deem them sufll
ciently noticed aud commemorate,
when they are acknowledged as cor
tributions to the common fund of ou
: national pride and glory.
Thus 1t happens that in this countr,
but two birthdays are publicly eel,
brated. We reverently speak of on
: as the day when the Redeemer Of MAJ
kind appeared among men. On th
.es on tne tame ny my side son-'.vo, 70
other the man Was 655fhGf 55fhGfl'W 'Whbdtshss VI ths ms M
sion 1t was to redeem the America,
people from bondage and dependence
and to display to the world the possi
pility OF popular selfgovernment.
washington was the most thorough
American that ever lived. His swor1
was drawn to carve out American cit
izenship, aud his every act aud publi,
service was directed to its establish
ment, He contemptuously spurnet
the offer Of kingly power, and neve,
faltered in his hope to make most hon
orable the man who could Justly cal
himself an American.
II .he most solemn manner he
warned his countrymen against any
attack upon the unity Of the Govern.
ment, and called upon them to frown
Indignantly upon any attempt to alien.
ate any portion of the country from
the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred tIes
that linked together the various parts
His admonition reached the climar
OF its power and force when he said:
"Citizens by birth or choice of n
common country, that country has a
right to concentrate your affections
Ihe name Of America which belongs
to you in your national capacity. must
always exalt the just pride of patriot.
ism more than any appellation derived
from any loyal determinations
When did We outgrow these sent;
mentsH When did we advance 40 far
in knowledge above our fathers as
safely to cast aside these beliefsS Tot
US be sober aud thoughtful, and if we
iind that these things have lost their
nold on our minds and hearts. LET ms
take soundings, for the rocks are near.