Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-10-04
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIG NEWS.
ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES.
Address of Welcome by Mr.. Cleveland

AS.NNOlhl Ell L Iti$AJA@ t|Aa|A - SAA@s'-'
Address of Welcome by Mr.. Cleveland.
NEW YORK, Oct 1.-The second
ouadrienial convention Of the National
Association of Democratic Clubs was
held to-day in the Academy of Music.
The convention was called to order at
IL o'clock, when eX-Presideno Cieve-
land entered and took his seat upon
the stage. Enthusiastic cheers were
given. flags and handkerchiefs were
waved and for some minutes the wild
est excitement prevailed, Mr.. Cleve-
land standing bowling his aclmowledg-
nents. When the cheering had sub
sided Chairman Black opened the COR
vention with speech and was follow
ed by Mr.. Cleveland, who said:
Mr.. President and gentlemen 1t af-
for,ls me especial pleasure to extend 70
YOU OH this occasion a hearty yelea de.
As citizen Of this proud municipality
| am glad to assure you that our hospl-
taIity is always open and generous. In
behalf of a community, distinguished
for its Amelicanism and liberation in
all matters of belief and judgment, /
know may extend Il cordial greeting
to those who here represent political
ihoughtfulness and sincerity. As an
nnvielding aud consistent believer IN
damocrotic nrincjpIes [ trust | need
not hesitate to pledge 20 the representa-
tivcs of organized democracy the good
will and t:'a;erual sympathy OF this
democratic city. Your meeting is the
co.ncil of war which precedes a de-
cisiye battle, and your deliberations
should be The preparation for stern con-
hct. All your weapons and all your
equipments are soon to be tested. You
have organized and labored and you
have watched and planned to en-
sure your readiness for the final
engagement now near ut hand.
This then is no holiday assenblage, but
an impressive convocation in further
ance of the designs and purposes for
the accomplishment of which you ana
those YOU represent are banded to-
gether. These designs and purposes,
as declared by your association, are :;
The preservation of the constitution OF
the United States, the autonomy of the
States, local self government and free
dom of elections; opposition to the i'm
position of taxes beyond the necessities
of the government economically adj
ministered. and ,hc promotion Of econ
omy in any branches Of the public ser
wee. These professions embody the
purest patriotism, and the Hottest aspi-
rations of American citizenship. Though
at all times they should suggest to
us the strongest obligation to political
effort their motive force, as incentives
to political activity and watchiulness,
should be irresistible ut q time when
the constitution is held in light esteem
as against the accomplishment Of sell
fish purposes, when State boundaries
are hardly barrier to centralized pow
cr and when local self government and
freedom Of elections are the scott of
partisanship. Those who subscribe TO
the creed of this association and make
any claim to sincerity, can hardly eX-
cuse themselves for lack of effort
at Il time when the necessities Of the
government, economically administered,
nave but little relation 10 the taxation
of the people and when extravaganza
in ,he public service has become con-
tagious plague. TO those who hope
for better things, this convention of
democratic clubs is bright promise
of reform. Unorganized good inten-
tons and idle patriotic aspirations can
not successfully contend for mastery
with the compact forces of private in
tarests and greed, nor is the orSaniza-
ton always the most useful which has
the widest extent. The real benefit of
political organization is found i'll its
nearness to The people and in the di-
rcctncss Of its action. OF course har-
mony and unity ofpurpose are absolute
~ essential. In this view your assem-
bling together is most important in so
far as it promotes this harmony and
unity by conference and considera
ton of methods, and in so far as it in
spires that zeal and enthusiasm which
will make more effective your work ut
home. Therefore. am sure that |
can say nothing better in taking my
leave Of YOU than to wish that your
convention may be most profitable
and encouraging one, and that at its
conclusion you may resume your places
in your home organizations newly in
spired to determined and Jealous effort
in the cause of true democracy.
AT the close of the speaking an inyi-
tation from the democratic club of this
city was extended to the delegates to
attend a reception to Mr.. Cleveland
this evening.
Foreign News.