Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-30
Mr.. CLEVELAND TO THE POLICE.
He Talks Entertainingly at Their Annual
Dinner Ia New York.


The annual New York police dinner took
place Monday evening at Delmonico's.
Fx-President Cleveland, responding TO
the toast, "Our Country remarked face
tiously that the frequency with which he
was called upon TO respond to that toast
might suggest that either his own patriot
ism or that Of the banqueters was weak
but that such was not the case, at least
with himself. Sometimes be bad
thought, when recalling the many
times he had actually and literally stood
up IN defence Of our country amid CASTRO
nomic dangers most appalling. and when
on every side Indigestion filed the air,
that the propriety of his having a pension
might properly be considered. MIR. Cieve-
land. assuming q more serious VEN, re-
called TO the police authorities and officers,
under whose auspices the banquet was
given, that nearly twenty years ago be had
served as sheriff Of Erie county, and later
rs mayor and police commissioner OF But
falo. The speaker continued:
1T may seem strange 70 those VINO
know me "a q mild and amlable man 70
learn that in the latter capacity my chief
duty was TO administer rebuke and cen
sure TO such members of our police force
as were convicted of violations OF the
rules of the department OF course |
claim the benefit Of the presumption that
this distasteful and uncongeDial duty was
we'll and thoroughly performed; 80 far as
nv shriavalty is concerned L may
say by wav of magnlfying my claim
for recognition here that | not only
held the Office and performed ITS duties.
but that have since suffered more or less
abuse on account of 1t. Not many years
400. during a national political campaign,
a female orator was employed to go about
the country implOring the electors OF the
land TO withhold their sufTages from
tbe Buffalo hangman.' You must
agree with me that this was quite
dreadful. Ii makes me almost shud-
der TO think that perhaps this temaies
efforts NAV have had much 10 do with
disastrous result. But, after all, there is q
oraln of comfort in the reflection that this
fhing was done in the heat of political con-
test and by one avowedly in the employ OF
nolitical adversaries. There was also,
believe. some uncomplimentary reference
70 the Office of sheriff or deputy-sherltt
in the newspapers, This, of course, IS sad
enough.
I" But even such wounds may be healed ;
and then, too, we must remember that
something should be conceded TO that In
estlrnahle boon-the freedom OF the
mss of which our country boasts. But
though my term Of office as sherlh ex-
nired so long ago that ] might plead the
statute of limitations, / desire TO stand 10y
eX-shpriH Grant, with ex-Sherltf Slckles,
and with Sheriff German in defence OF
one of the Oldest offices known to cIvillza-
ton. and one which if faithfully admins,
tered cannot fail to reflect credit and
honor upon its incumbent. When We see
a graduate from the office of sheriff twice
elected to the chief magistracy OF tins, the
largest and best city in the United states,
and see il demonstrated that an ex-sherlil
rs not debnrred from the attainment OF
even higher hOnors, we can afford TO Iidl'
cule an efforts TO belittle the shrlevalty
and laugh at every attempt 10 rob US OF
the satisfaction We derive from the con
sciousness Of an honest performance OF Its
important duties. 49,.
TIT should be an inspiring thought that
we are allof us concerned IN demonstrating
10 the world that our free institutions
are truly based upon the equality OF Ameri
can manhood, and that the way 20 advance
mept does not here depend upon the acci
dent of birth or the fortunate possession
of wealth. .,-..L l.,
permitted TO indulge in the reflection tha
every one Of us in his place or sphere by
acting well his part, assists IN achieving
the grand destiny which awaits our coun
try. w