The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-02
EI.PreSident CltTslaId'S Speech Before
The Business Men Of Kew York.
LARGE CROWD OF PEOPLE HEAR HIN,
He Appropriately ltcfers to the "Despc-
rate and Disrepn'sble Methods" OF
tho Ke9uhlicnn Managers.

peoplc had 30 be turned away The de-
sire 90 hear AR. Cleveland speak on the
issues OF ,he campaign WAS overwhelm-
ing. and ho was accorded a most crafty
INK reception. The meeting was held un-
der Che auspices Of the Business Demo
cratic Association.
J. edward Simmins. president OF the
Fourth National Bank and president Of
the Association. called the meeting TO
order. lie introduced Mr.. Cleveland in
Few appropriate remarks. AS the Demo
cratic candidate FOR the presidency OF
the United States stepped forward he re
ceived an ovation as is accorded only to
greatness The demonstration lasted
many minutes.
MR. CLENELAND'S SPEECH.
When quiet had been restored Mr..
Cleveland said.
Fellow Citizens. We have nearly reach
ed the last hours Of discussion I'm a CAM
paign characterized by many unusual
features ana incidents. ! venture the as
seriiOu that never i'm the recollection Of
any one here present has a presidential
canvass been carried on with such
lack of noise and excitement, and IN
such an apparent atmosphere oi popular
thCughtfulness Ii this is actually the
condition, and II our voters are really
thoughtful, it should be a cause of con-
graduation on she part Of every Amcri-
can citizen. FOR il must be that sober
deiiberau0n in the exercise OF their right
of suffrage is TO be tine foundation Of
our hope for national pcrpetuity. None
of us can complain Of an especial re
suit which represents The conscientious
and clear convictions OF majority OF
our people. when their convictions pre-
vail IL is the misfortune or fault OF the
party if il Is defeated because the prin-
Cples 10 advocates are not understood
by our voters, or, # understood are not
accepted. II We assume that the quiet
of this campaign is attributable to the
thoughtfulncss among our people, and a
deliberate sense Of patriotic duty i'm the
exercise of this suffrage. there would
seem go be no place for fear or nisgivine
as 20 |.. result on the part Of those who
suppow Democratic principles. In eX-
acty the form they are involved in the
present campaign these principles were
presented two years ago 10 the voters OF
the country and received their indOrea-
ment by a tremendous majority. Since
then the drift Of public opinion has been
In our direction and the doctrines op-
posed 20 ours have been more than ever
that the intelligent and distinguished men
who have left the ranks Of our opponents
and joined our standard are exceptionally
numerous and influential
DIsREPUTABLE METHODS.
The fact is that with all these things we
would be absolutely sure OF success II We
did not know the desperate and disreputa-
ble methods which confront us. our oppo-
ncnts vanquished in every argument
worthy Of presentation to the reason OF
our country men. have appealed 10 their
passions and prciudices through the dis
tributiOn of the most impudcnt lies con-
Cerning the record and action Of our
party and its candidates. This. however,
IS not their main reliance. nor Is il our
greatest danger. 1t is a confession most
humilaung to American citizenship that
with a cause so thoroughly enrrencncd
in reason, and commendins it so clearly
to the intelligence of patriotic Americans.
we daily hear predictions Of Republican
success. based upon the ability of that
party 10 purchase the votes of the people.
a little reelection, it seems to me, cannot
fan TO arouse the American conscience
70 the wickedness, as well as 20 the point
of a debauched suffrage. 1t is a plain
proposition that our Government Is only
true 10 the principles upon which
A. rests when in it's operation it repre-
sents the honest and intelligent sentiments
OF our people. When it does not, its yigOr
and its very life are going and ii remains
but the mere semblance of free Govern
ment-thc weakest and most deformcd
plan of rule that eyer deluded mankind
II can no longer defend the rights Of all
because rights will he forgotten in the
caprcous hest0wal of fayors. tt viii
then no longer be- the proud manifesto
tion of the strength and virtue of a free
people because IT will be only a niseTa-
bic instrument OF craft and selfishness.
Who of all those who believe our Govern
ment was created Ia bless American p,u.
PIE and benefit mankind will deny that
the corruption Of our suffrage payes tls
way 10 these conditions? The time has
surely come when those who see the be-
ginning OF this corruption should look Doe
yond II and beneath it in an endearlr
20 discover the source of our danger art
the forces which give II daily strength
IL has its source In the perversion OF orr
Government TO the furtherance OF limit.
and special interests. and in the invita-
tiOn thus extended 10 anticipate con
tinuance Of governmental favor in com
pensauon for partisan support. The forces
behind il are greed and seldshness. willing
70 prostitute the sunrages of the people
20 pecuniary gain.
AN UNNATURAL SITUATION
In the light of the considerations there
IS nothing as unnatural in the situation
OF the pending canvass. When our coun-
trymen yield TO temptation and turn
their backs upon the broad ana disin-
tercsted patriotism that should character
ize their citizenship, and when they reach
the point where they are willing TO
subordinate political duty TO business
gain il is a short step TO ectivo partici-
patton ga schemes Of corruption having
for their object the retention in power OF
the party by which unearned business
profits are promised This movement be
gins with he corruption OF others, in
Eiigatcd to activity by an obligation 10
ala the party which has favored them
and stimulated by tie expectation OF
further and special benefits This deal
between a political party and private en-
tcrprise, by which governmental aid is
promised in exchange for partisan sup
port Is covered by the pretext Of a care
for the business interests OF the country.
While we surely concede the value OF
these interests. and while We hold that
40 political party should be unmindful OF
them or needless OF their prosperity, We
insist that 40 plea for tneir promotion
shall be used 90 Justify political methods
which endanger the INTEGRITY and benen-
cence Of our institutions. Since, there
fore, the fair name Of our business inter
est has thus been used IN disreputable
service have deemed IL ap- !
proprlate 10 call attention 20 these |
thugs IN an assemblage gathered |
together under the auspices OF |
q Business Mems Club II seems to be |
peculiarly 1T and proper that Die patriotic |
business men OF our country should re- |