Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-10-14

NEW oTk ClGy, over Wuicn NAo'oA
land presided, speeches were made by him
and Gov. Hill.
MR.. CLEvELAND's SPEECH
Elk, President Cleveland spokes as fol-
lows
Mn FELLOW Citizens: acknowledge with
much satisfaction the compliment paid me
by my selection as your presiding ofncer
tonight. l am glad to meet an assemblage
of nv fellow.townsmen on an occasion
when their thoughts turn to the political
situation which confronts them, and at a
time when their duty as citizens as well as
members of grand political organization
should be the subject of their serious con-
sideration.
IfImay be INDUCED few moments, I
shall occupy that much of your time in pre-.
senting some suggestions touching the con.
dition and responsibilities of the democracy
to the people of the country, and the obi
cation and duty at this particular time OF
the democracy of our State.
The democratic party has at all times by
profession and by tradition been the party
of the people. say by profession and ira
dition, but by no means intend to hint in
the use of this expression that in its con.
duct and action it has failed to justify its
profession or been recreant to its traditions.
1t must, however, be admitted that we have
had our seasons of revival when the con-
seriousness of what true democracy really
means has been especially awakened, and
when we have been unusually aroused to a
lively appreciation Of the aggressiv enesf
and activity which conscience exacts Of
those who profess democratic faith and
- H., ,1ato
We contemplate tonight such revival
and the stupendous results which have
thus far attended it. In view of these
things we cannot be honest and sincere and
fail to see that stern and memorable duty
is now at our door.
We saw the money of the people unneces.
sarily extorted from them under the guise
Of taxation.
We saw that this was the result of a
scheme perpotrated for the purpose Of ex'
acting tribute from the poor and for the
benefit of the rich.
We saw growing out of this scheme the
! wholesale debauchery and corruption Of
7 the people whom it impoverished.
We saw party which advocated and de-
Tended this wrong gaining and holding
power in the government by the shameless
appeal to selfishness which it invited.
We saw the people actually furnishing
the bonds of misrepresentation and miscon
ception which held them, and we saw sor.
didness and the perversion of all that con.
stitutes good citizenship on every hand and
sturdy Americanism in jeopardy.
| We saw party planning to retain par.
tisan ascendancy by throttling and destroy
ing the freedom and integrity of the suf-
| frage through the most radical and reckless
| legislation.
We saw waste and extravaganza raiding
the public treasury and justified in official
places, while economy in government ex-
penditure was ridiculed by those who held
in trust the peoples money.
We saw the national assemblage of the
peoples representatives transformed to the
mere semblance of legislative assembly
oy the brute force of violently created
majority and By unprecedented arbitrary
rulings, while it was jeeringly declared by
those who usurped its functions to be no
longer a delibsrative body.
Then it was that the democratic party,
standing forth to do determined battle
against these abuses which threatened the
welfare and happiness Of the people, called
upon them to trust it, and promised them
| that the warfare should be relentless and
| uncompromising.
| AS results of the struggle then entered
upon, never has the resistless force OF the
awakened thought Ct our countrymen been
more completely demonstrated, and never
has the irresistible strength Of the princi-
pies of democracy been more fully exempli-
fad. From the West aud from the East
came tidings of victory. In the popular
branch of the next Congress the party
,,h;oL LOTT al do tlx7 crrnOotad to itSalf
the domination of that body will ell hardly
more than one fourth of its seats. Demo-
cratic Governors occupy the enemy's strong
holds in Iowa, Massachusetts,. Ohio, Wis
consin and Michigan. In Pennsylvania
the election of democratic governor pre-
sents conclusive proof of republican corrup
ton exposed and republican dishonesty de
tected.
Bat with all these results of a just and
fearless democratic policy our work is not
yet completely done, aud l want to suggest
to you that any relaxation of effort within
the lines established by the national democ
rscy will be violation of the pledges we
gave the people when we invited their CO.
operation and undertook their cause.
I do not forget that we are gathered to.
gether to ratify State nominations, and that
we are Immediately concerned with State
campaign. 1t seems to me, however, that
while national questions of the greatest i'm.
port are Y ct unsettled, and when we ere on
the eve of a national campaign in which
they must be again pressed upon the atten-
ton of the voters of the country, the de.
mocracy of the great State of New York
cannot and will not entirely ignore them,
If We fail to retain ascendsnce in the En-
pire State, no matter upon what ISSUE It is
lost, and 20 matter how much cur oppon
ents may seek to avoid great and important
topics, it will be claimed as the verdict of
our people against the principles and plat
form of the national democracy.
It is evident that if our opponents are
permitted to choose the line of battle, they
will avoid all national issues. Thus far
this is plainly their policy. There is moth
| ing strange in this, for they may well cal
oulate that, whatever may be their fate in
other fields, they have been dscisively beat.
On Cd tie discussion of national questions.
| 1t can hardly be expected that they will
come to the field of Waterloo again unless
forced to do so.
| am very far from having any fear OF
the result of full discussion of the sub
jects which pertain to State affairs. We
have an abundance of reasons to furnish
why, on these issues alone, we should be
further trusted with the State government
but it does not follow that it is wise to re
gard matters of national concern as entire( Is
foreign to the pending canvass, and espcei
ally to follow the enemy in their lead Ell
tirely away from the issues they most fear
and which they have the best of reasons tc
dread. This very fear and dread give, il
this particular case, strength and pertinenc!
to the doctrine that party should at al
times and in all places be made to feel th'
consequences of their misdeeds as long al
they justify and defend their wrong doing
Those who act with us merely because
they approve the present position of the ma
tional democracy and the reforms we hav'
undertaken, and who oppose in nationa
affairs republican policy and methods, ant
who still think the State campaign we has'
in hand has no relation to the principles
and policy which they approve, are in dan
ger of falling into grave error. Our op
ponents IN the pending canvass, though
now strivi hard to hide their identity il
cloud of dust raised b. their iteration O
Ir,elavent things, constitute '9rgs fac -ol