The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-12-16
DEMOCRATIC DUTT and RESPO y
SHELLY j.

The speech of Pre- ;ident ell ,ct G. eve
land before the New York Reform
Club, last Saturday evening, was re-
plete with patriotism and sound c"In-
nonsense While it contained the
assurance that as far as in him lies he
will endeavor to restore the general
gov eminent to its Legitimate fuhc-
tons he said not a single word upon
the topics nov interesting politicians,
to wit, the proposed extra session of
Congress and lis cabinet appoint
ments.
Mr.. Cleveland refers to the Demo-
cratic rejoicing over the complete vic
tory achieved in the struggle for right
and justice and the proof the election
affords that the American people can
be trusted to manage their govern
ment, and asserts that the triumph is
the result of aroused popular intelli-
gence and of stimulated popular vigil
ance
Mr.. Cleveland points out the duty
before the Democratic party, and his
earnest and almost solemn words
should be deeply pondered. He speaks
of the great difficulties in the way of
redeeming the promise the Demo
cratic party has made and adds
Conditions involving most import
ant interests must be reviewed and
vira
menacing our safety must be settled.
Above all, and as the ultimate object
of all we do, the rights and the well
fare of our people i'll every condition
in life must be placed upon more
equal plane of opportunity and ad-
vantage.
am confident the wisdom Of the
Democratic party will be equal to the
emergency and / base my confidence
/ on the belief that it will be patri-
o. cally true to it's principles and ira
d.Jions and will follow the path mark
eu out by true American sentiment.
We should not enter upon our work
in the least spirit of resentment nor
iii needless disregard of the welfare of
any portion of our citizens. The mis-
sion of our party and the reforms we
contemplate do not involve the en-
couragement of jealous animosities
nor a destructive discrimination be-
tween American interests.
In order that we may begin with
free hands we should vigorously OPP
pose all delusions which have their
origin in un- Democratic teachings or
in demagogic attempts to deceive the
people. Mere catch words, which if
they mean anything, have no relation
to sound policy, and phrases invented
to please the ear of the victims of cum
ming greed ought not to stand in our
way. Looking beyond all these things
we shall find just principles furnish
ing q vantage ground from which we
can lay out a safe course OF action.
The following paragraph especially
deserves considerations:
We should strive to rid ourselves
and our countrymen of the idea that
there is anything shabby or disgrace
full in. economy whether in public or
private life. If extravaganza in pub
lie expenditure has prevailed in the
past it affords no excuse for its contin-
uance, and there is no breach Of duty
so palpable as the waste of money
held by public servants for the peo-
pies uses.
Mr.. Cleveland continues
Our government was founded in a
spirit Of frugality and economy, and
its administration should not depart
from those lines. We need no glitter
or show to divert our people from tur-
bulent thoughts. We have a more
substantial guarantee against discon-
tent in a plain and simple plan of rule
in which every citizen has share. In
order that this should do its perfect
work it is essential that there should
exist among our people wholesome
and disinterested love for their gov
eminent, for its own sake, and be-
cause it is heritage belonging to all.
Tine cultivation of such a sentiment is
not only high duty, but an absolute
necessity of the contamination of the
reforms we enter upon.
We should utterly and disgracefully
fail if we attempt these reforms under
the influence of petty partisan schem-
ing or the fear of jeopardizing person
al political fortunes. They can only
be accomplished when unselfish patri-
otism guides the aspirations of our
people and regulates the actions of
their chosen servants.