Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-12-12
Tho Reform, Club Dinner.

crs NO local or state regular ucDl-
ocrats attended. Speaker Crisp was
present, but was not called on TO speak,
and his frien,ls say he was badly treat
ed. Mr.. Crisp says the statement that
he had left The hall before the conclu-
sion of the speaking was a mistake. He
did not 90 until it WAS all over. He
was present when there were calls for
speech from him. but Mr.. Anderson,
vino was presiding, did not call him up.
Mr.. Anderson denies that he had any
knowledge that Mr. Crisp had prepared
a speech for the occasion but Mr.. c. s
friends say the slight was not acciden-
tai.
In his speech M. Cleveland said:
have nothing new or startling to say
to you and hope to do little more than
remind YOU OF the meaning and signiii-
canoe of this occasion. As we are here
gathered together. we represent those
who have been willing to risk all conse-
quences in IL battle for principles which
are grounded in purest patriotism, be-
cause they accord with the purposes
and objects oil our free institutions. \
plain feature of this gathering, which /
am sure warns the hearts OF ali of YOU,
is our celebration of one OF the grandest
and most complete victories ever
achieved in The struggle for right and
Justice and our glad greeting OF the
brightest light Of triumph our genera
ton has seen, bursting from the clouds
of defeat and encouragement. Let me
suggest to you, however, that we can
contemplate nothing more gratifying in
connection with this assemblage than
the proof il affords that the American
people cam be trusted TO manage the
government which has been given into
their keeping. If there are those who
have been disappointed and dishearten-
ed by the extent 10 which our people
have been deceived and misled, or who,
with fear, have seen heedlessness ofthe
duty of citizenship open with the door
of corrupting influence, or who, with
sad forebodings. have behold popular
rule nearing the fatal rocks OF q de-
bauched suffrage, or who have mourned
because appeals to selfishness and prom
ises of unequal advantages were appar-
entity undermining that patriotism
which alone .justilies our hope
OF national perpetuity, let this
occasion and the events which
have led TO it. reinstatc their faith and
their confidence in their countrymen.
Fit has seemed to those striving for
better public sentiment that the dispo-
sition was growing among our people
to regard their government rs deposi-
tory of individual benefits, to be impor-
tuned and threatened and dispoiled, let
them take heart from the evidences now
before our eyes, that there is still
abroad in The land controlling belief
that our government should bea source
of Just and bcnefccnt rule, proudly sup
ported by ircemen, protected by their
care and watchiulness, and returning to
all oar people, with equal hand. the
safety and happiness il holds i'll store
for them. If we have learned that an
appeal to the patriotism Of our country
men and an honest presentation of po-
litical principles to their intelligence
and Judgment are not in vain, the
thought must not escape us that while
our people will in the end repay with
their support the political party which
addresses their understanding and rea-
SON instead Of their prejudices and sell
fish interests, they will surely revenge
themselves upon those who deceive OF
betray them.
The national democracy and its allies
in political principles rejoice over the
defeat of those whose fate is full of in
struction and warning. While we find
in our triumph result of popu-
lar intelligence which we have
aroused, and a consequence of popu-
lar vigilance Which we have slim
ulated. let Us not for moment forget
that our accession to power will find
neither this intelligence nor this vigl-
lance dead or slumbering. We are
thus brought face to face with the re-
reflection that we are not tormented
by the spirits which we ourselves have
called up, we must hear, above vic
torious shouts, the call of our fellow
countrymen 10 public duty land must
put on garb beftting public servants.
The sentiment suggested by this oc-
casion which should dwarf al others
has relation to the responsibility which
awaits those who now rejoice in VIC
tory. 1--we redeem the promises we
have made to the voters of Our land
the difficulty of our task can hardly be
exaggerated. Conditions involving
most important interests must be re-
viewed and modified. and pcrplexing
problems menacing our safety must be
settled. Above all. and as the ultimate
object of all we do, the rights and the
welfare of our people in every condi-
ton Of life must be placed upon a more
equal plane of opportunity and advan-
taec. | am confident the wisdom of
the democratic party will be equal to
the emergency and | base my conf
dence upon the belief that it will be
periodically true to its principles and
traditions and will follow the paths
marked out by true American senti-
ment.
We should not enter upon our work
in the least spirit ofresentment nor in
needless disregard Of the welfare ofany
portion OF our citizens. The mission of
our party and the reforms we contem-
plate do not involve the encouragement
ofiealous animosities, nor destructive
discrimination between American in
terests. In order that we may begin
with free hands we should vigorously
oppose all delusions which in their ORR
gin is undemocratic teaching or in