Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-14
GROVER CLEVELAND.
THE Ex-PReslpgNT SPEAKS ON JET
FERsoNiAH DEMOCRACY.
He Is Glad TO BE Psrtisan-Hs Urges
ConiiHued Party Varfare-Edu-
catiOual Campaigns.
[pr telerraph . the pIspa.ch.l


rBy telegraph TO tho Dlspatch.I
NEw YoRK, April ls.-Thomas o. Bell
and j. NJ. Levy, two governors Of theDem-
ocratic Club, gave a subscription dinner
at the clubhouse tonight in honor of
Jefferson's birthday j. II. V. Arnold pre-
sided. He was fanked by ex-President
Cleveland and Governor Albeit, of New
Jersey. Many prominent local Democrats
were present. Fx-PresIdent Cleveland
was the first speaker. He said:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen,-I de-
sire first of all TO express my thanks to the
promoters of this occasion for the pleasure
which place in this goodly company AZ
fords me, and to congratulate the Demo
cratic Club upon the indication Of prospect
ty and Enterprise supplied by its ownership
of this beautiful and commodious house.
The maintenance of such a centre for the
cultivation and dissemination OF Demo-
cratic principles, together with the ac-
tiyitY and earnestness OF members OF the
club. furnish the most gratifying evidence
that those who abide here fully realize the
value and Importance OF unremlttlng po-
litical endsavOr and thorough organization
in behalf OF true Democracy IL seems that
the atmosphere which peryades this place
is ill-suited TO selfish and ignoble designs,
and ! feel at this moment that l am sur
rounded by influences which invite patrl-
otto partIsanship and disinterested deyo-
ton to party painciples.
GLAD TO DE PARTISAN.
This sensation is most agreeable, for
am glad to DO called a partisan II my
partisanship is patriotic. If bipartisan IS
correctly defined as "one who is violent
ly and passionately devoted to party or
interest" / must plead guilty TO the
charge of being a Democratic partisan. so
long as the Democracy IS true TO its creed
and traditions, and 80 long "a the condi-
tions exist which, to my understanding,
make adherence 10 its doctrines synony-
nous with patriotism. 1t IS a glorious
thing 10 belong 20 party which has his
tory beginning with the first years OF our
Government, and full of achievements
interviewer with all that has made
our country great and kept our
people free. II is an inspiring thing TO
know that by virtue Of our party mem
bership we are associated with those who
resist the attempt of arrogant political
power to interfere with the independence
and integrity of popular suffrage who
are determined to relieve our countrymen
from unjust and unnecessary burdens;
who are intent upon checking extraya.
gance in public expenditure, and who test
party purposes by their usefulness IN pro;
noting the interests and the welfare of all
the people of the land. These considera-
tiOns furnish 10 those who love their coun-
try the highest aud best incentives TO con-
slant and faithful effort IN the cause OF
true Democracy.
DEMOCBACY's INDUSTRIOUS FOUNDER,
We are reminded on this occasion that
we not only have proud history and glo-
rious traditions, but that our party had an
ilustrious founder, whose services and
teachings have done as much to justify
and make successful our Government by
the people and for the people as any Anne
rican who ever lived. A claim TO such po--
litical ancestry is of itself sufficient TO lend
honor and pride to membership in party
which preserves in their vigor and purity
all tie principles of that Democracy which
was established by Thomas jefferson.
These principles were not invented for the
purpose of gaining popular assent Tor day,
nor only because they we're useful IN the
early time of the Republic. They were not
announced for the purpose OF serving per
sonal ambitions, nor merely for the pur-
pose of catching the suhrages OF the peo-
pie. They were laid as deep and as Droad
as the truths upon which the fabric OF our
Government rested. In the spirit of pro-
phecv they were formulated and declared
not only as suited TO the experiment OF a
new government, but as sufficient IN every
struggle and every emergency which
should beset popular rule in all times to
come and in all stages of our country'S
growth and development.
CAMPAIGNS or EDUCATION.
The political revolution which accom-
panied the birth of our party was not ac-
complished while the principles of De
mocracy were kept laid away in napkin
nor was the unanimity OF their hrst &C,
ceptance secured by the senseless and
noisy shouting of partisan bigotry and
refusal 10 receive converts 70 the talth.
No man believed more implicitly IN the
political instruction of the people than
the great founder of our party, and the
first triumph of Democratic principles
under his leadership was distinctly the re-
suit of campaign OF education.
So, too. in the light OF our last
great victory, no man who desires
Democratic success will deny the supreme
Importance of most thorough and sys-
tematic presentation to our felow-cltlzens
of the reasons which support the ayoWed
and accepted purposes OF our party. Those
who now sneer at efforts IN that erection
are our enemies-whetner they confront
US as confessed opponents or whether they
are traitors skulhng within our camp. III
seems TO me that this Is peculiarly time
mindful of its relations TO the country, OF
its RESPONSIBILITIES as the guardian Of sacred
principles, and Of It's duty to a conhdlng
people.
THE pEMocRACY's MISSION CONTINUED WAR
FARE.
In the rejoicing which success permits
let us remember that the mission OF our
marty is continued warfare. We cannot
Itch vub hot wa nrnmIap 70 he npnnI0
if we allow ourselves to be diverted from
the perils which are still in our way.
Kindness to danger and neglect OF party
organization and discipline are lnvltatlon5
10 defeat. We cannot win permanent and
substantial success by putting aside prlncl-
pie and grasping after temporary expedl-
ents. We shall court disaster II we relax
industry in commencing 10 the lntelllgehce
of our countrymen the creed winch we
profess: and we tempt Illuminating failure
and disgrace when we encourage or toie-
rate those who, claiming fellowship with
Ms. needlessly and often TO STIR up strife
and SOW dlscord in the councils OF our
party.
As we celebrate tonight, the birthday
of the father of Democracy let us reinforce
our Democratic zeal and enthusiasm and
renew our faith and trust IN the aroused
intelligence of our countrYmen. Let the
reflections prompted by the surroundings
of this occasion confirm us in the assu-
rance that we shall patrioticaly discharge
our political duty and we'll maintain our
party LOYALTY if in all we do as Democrats
we brayely and consistently hold fast to
the truths which illumine the path LAID out
by our great guide and leader.
Governor Albeit also spoke.
--zzzs-----
FLORlDA'S SENATORIAL CONTEST.