Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-12
THE REFORM CLUB DINNER.
MI. Cleveland Speaks ON the Meaning Of
the Election.

| Inc result OF tho recent eioctl0ns was colo-
bratsd by the New York Reform Club 1t Madisoz
Square Garden on Saturday. A dinner pre-
coded the speaking. In spite Of the difncolty
Of serving 30 large party the beginning Of the
speaking was delayed only little time from the
hour fixed upon by the managers. z. Ellery
Anderson, who presided made . brief openina
address. Mr.. Anderson wss followed BY Mr.
Cleveland, Carl schurz. Roger O. Mills ex-Caov.
ernor Campbell of Ohio, Tom L. johnson, Gov.
srnor-elsct Stone OF Missouri, Senator Carlisle
Congressman ". &. T. Breckenridge and Gen.
Patrick A Collins. Considerable comment VA
caused because Speaker Crisp was not called
upon to speak. although il Is claimed he
| was invited to do 20 and had sent out in ad-
vance to the newspapers his rema-ka Ex-Sec-
! rotary Fairchild. however, denied that Mr..
| Crisp had been asked to speak, and said that he
was not asked to do so simply because there waa
! not time.
| ME-. oLEvZLAND's SPEECH.
Mr.. Cleveland said:
"Mr. President and Ladies' and Gentlemen,
have nothing new or startling to say to you
and hope to do little more than remind you
Of the meaning and significance Of this COCA
sion. As We are here gathered together We
represent those who have been willing to risk
all consequences In q battle for principles which
are grounded in purest patriotism. because they
accord with the purposes and objects of our
free institutions
"A plain feature Of this gathering, which /
am sure warns the hearts Of all of rs, II 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 generation
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 sssemblage than the proof
1t affords that the American people can he
trusted to manage the government which has
been given into their keeping. II there are
those who have been disappointed and disheart-
ened by the extent to which our people have
been deceived and misled, who, With fear,
have seen heedlessness Of the duty Of citizen
ship open wide the door of corrupting iniiu-
held popular rule nearing the fatal rocks Of
debauShed suffrage, or who have mourned be-
cause appeals to seldshness and promises of
unequal advantages were apparently undermin-
ing that patriotism which alone justifies our
hope OF national perpetuity, let this occasion
and the events which have led to it reinstate
their faith and their confidence in their country
men.
IF it has seemed to those striving for better
public sentiment that the disposition was grow
ing among our people to regard their govern
ment as depositary of individual benefits, to
be fmportuned and threatened and despoiled,
let them take heart from the evidences now be-
fore our eyes that there is still abroad in the
land controlling belief that our government
should be a source of Just and beneficent rule,
proudly supported by free men, protected by
their care and watchfulness and returning to all
our people, with equal hand, the safety and
happiness it holds in store for them.
IF We have learned that an appeal to the
patriotism Of our countrymen and an honest
presentation of political principles to their in
and ind not in lin
thought must not escape Us that while our
people will in the end repay, with their sup
port the political party which addresses their
understanding and reason, instead of their
prejudices and selfish interests, they will surely
revenge themselves upon those who deceive or
betray them.
The national democracy and its allies in po-
itical principle rejoice over the defeat of those
whose fate is full of instruction and warning.
While we find in our triumph a result Of popu-
lar intelligence which we have aroused and
consequence of popular vigilance which we
have stimulated. let US not for moment forget
that our accession to power will find neither
this intelligence nor this vigilance dead or
slumbering. We are thus brought face to face
with the reflection that If we are not to be tor
mented by the spirits which we ourselves have
called up must hear, above victorious shouts.
the call Of our fellow-countrymen to public
duty, and must put on garb betting
public servants
The sentiment suggested by this occasion
which should dwarf all others has relation to
the responsibility which awaits those who now
rejoice in victory. If 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 reviewed and modified, and perplex-
ing problems menacing our safety must be set
tied. Above all, and as the ultimate object of
all we do, the rights and the welfare of our
people in every condition of life must be placed
upon a more equal plane of opportunity and ad-
| vantage.
Il am confident the wisdom of the demo-
cratic party will be equal TO the emergency, and
| base my confidence upon the belief that it
will be periodically true to its principles and
| traditions. and will follow the path marked out
| by true American sentiment. We should not
enter upon our work in the least spirit of re-
| sentiment nor in needless disregard of the well
! fare of any portion of our citizens. The mis-
sion Of our party and the reform we contem-
plate do not involve the encouragement OF
| Jealous animosIties nor destructive discrimi-
nation between American interests.
in order that We may begin with free hand
we should vigorously oppose all decisions whic
have their origin in undemocratic teachings
In demagogic attempts to deceive the Feople.
Mere catch words. which, if they mean any
thing, have no relation to sound policy. and
| phrases, invented to please the ear of the VIC
| tins of cunning greed, ought not 10 stand in our
way. Looking beyond all these things we shall
find just principles, furnishing vantage ground
! from which lay out safe course of
action. We should strive to rid ourselves and
our countrymen of the idea that there is any
thing shabby or disgraceful in economy, whether
in public OF in private life. IL extravaganza in
| public expenditure has prevailed in the past it
affords no excuse for its continuance, and there
| is no breach Of duty palpable the waste of
money held by public servants for the people s
uses.
| "Our government was founded in spirit of
| frugality and economy. and its administration
| should not depart from those lines. We need
| no glitter nor show to divert our people from
1 turbulent thoughts. We have a more substan-
| tial guarantee against discomfort in plain and
| simple plan of rule in which every citizen has
! a share. In order that this should do its per-
feet work it is essential that there should exist
| among our people a wholesome and disinter-
ested love for their government, for its own
| sake and because 1t is a heritage belonging to
| all.
The cultivation of such a sentiment il not
only high duty, but absolute necessity to
| the contamination of the reforms we enter
| upon. We shall utterly and disgracefuly fail
/ II We attempt these reforms under the influence
| of petty partisan scheming or the fear of
jeopardizing personal political fortunes. They
can only be accomplished when unselfsb pa
| triotism guides the aspirations of our people
and regulates the action of their chosen serv-
| ants. -
| ssWe who n "a M he charped with tho respop