, 1891-05-15

WORDS WORTH NEEDING.
The speech delivered by ex-Pfesident
Cleveland in Buffalo at the opening Of
the handsome hall Of the Cleveland
Democratic club (which numbers a mem
bership Of l.GOOl contains many things
worthy of careful consideration at the
hands Of patriotic American citizens. His
summing W Of the general situation Of
the country is we'll worthy OF reproduction
here. Il believe the most threatening fig
ure which today stands 10 the way of the
safety Of our government and the happi-
ness Of our people, is reckless and wicked
extravaganza in our public expenditures.
1t is the most fatal Of all the deadly brood
born Of governmental perversion 1t hides
beneath its wings the betrayal Of the peo-
pies trust aud holds powerless in its fas-
c%inating glance the peoples will and con
science. 1t b~razculy exhibits today a
81 900, 600, 600 congress. But lately a
large surplus remained in the peoples
public treasury after meeting all cxpendi-
lures then by no means economical This
condition was presented to the American
people as positive proof hat their burden
OF taxation was unjust because I'M
necessary, and yet while the popu
lar protest is still heard, the harry
Of public extravaganza d~cvours
the surplus and impudeutly calls upon its
staggering victims to bring still larger
..,a. H.. ,-stIt- H.. - q s- s....s.t.
appetite. A few short years ago a pension
roll amounting to Sj3, 900, 900 was willingly
maintained by our patriotic citizens.
Today public extravaganza DEGREES that
three times that SUI shall be drawn
from the people upon the pretext that its
expenditure represents the popular love OF
The soldier. Not many wears ago a river
aud harbor bill a%ppropriating Sll 600. 900
gave rise TO a loud popular protest. Now,
public extravaganza commands an appro-
priation of So, 600. 900 for the same pur-
poses and the people are silent. Today
millions are paid for barciaccd subsidy, and
this is approyed OF condoned at the bchest
OF public extravaganza, and thus a new
maraudcr is turned loose which, in com
pany with its vicious tanT partner, bears
pllferod benefit to the households of
favored selfish interests.
we need not prolong the details.
this dcyouring and destructive creature.
Our Democratic faith teaches Us that
the useless c~xaction OF money from the
people upon the false pretext of public
necessity is the worst Of all governmental
perversions and involves the greatest of
all dangers to our guarantees of justice and
equity. We need not %unlearn this lesson
TO apprchend the fact that behind such
%exaction and as ITS source Of existence is
found public extravaganza. The AK will
not be laid at the root of the unwholsome
tariff tree, with its vicious inequality and
injustice, until we reach aud destroy its
parent and support.
But the growth Of public extravaganza
in these latter days aud its unconcealed
and dreadful manifestations force us to
the contemplation of other crimes, OF
which it is undoubtedly guilty, besides un-
Just exaetions from the people.
Our government is so ordained that
It's life blood flows from the virtue and
patriotism Of our people, aud its health
and strength depend upon the integrity
and i~aithiulness OF their public servants.
II these are destroyed, our government If
it endurcs, will endure only in name, fail
ing to bless those for whom it was ere
ated and failing in its mission as an ex.
ample to mankind.
Public extravaganza in its relation to
negotiable tariff laws not only lays an M
Just tribute upon the people, but is re-
spGnsible for unfair advantages bestowed
upon special and favored interests as the
price Of partisan support Thus the ex-
crcise Of the popular will Tor the benefit OF
the country at large is replaced by sordid
and selfish motives directed to personal
advantage, while the encouragement Of
such motives in public place for party
ends deadens the official conscience.
Public extravaganza directly distrib-
utrs gifts and gratuiues among the peo-
pie whose IOleThNluu VI NAsiG - tlus re
cured OF whose past party services are
thus compensated, or who are thus bribed
to future party support This makes the
continuance Of party power a stronger nc
tive among public servants than the faith.
ful DISCHARGE of the peoples trust, and
sows the seeds Of contagious corruption in
the body polite.
But to INV mind the sadlest and most
frightful result Of public extravagance is
ecu in the readiness Of the masses Of
our people, who are not dishonest, but
only needless, to accustom themselves tc
that dereliction in public place which il
involves. Evidence is thus furnished that
our eountrymeu are in danger Of losing
the ~scrupulous Insi.tence upon the faith.
full discharge of duty on the part Of
their public servants, the regard for
economy and irugality which belongs to
sturdy AN ericanism, the independents
which relies upon personal endeayor, aud
the love of 40 honest and well regulated
government. all Of which lie at the foun'
datians of pur free institutions