Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-12
AGAINST "sSAP CONVENTIONS"
Democrats Of New York Protest Against the
State Committees Action.

There was held last night in the large hall o
the Cooper Union. in New York. mass meet
| ing Of democrats to protest against holding th'
| democratic state convention for the cleo ion o
| delegates to the national convention on Febru
AIRY y after only four weeks notice Anon,
| those who signed the cali we're Fred r. Coudert
! ex-Mayor Daniel +. Tiemann, Oswald Often
dorfer. E. Ellery Anderson. Charles j. Canda
Orlando B. Potter. ex-3iayor Vim. r, Grace
ex-Mayor Edward Cooper. Everett p Wheeler
VIM. E. Curtis. Eugene Kelly, jr.. Charles P
Daily, ex-Mayor Abram s, Hewitt. Henry G
| Marquand. Clifford A. Hand. Henry r. Beck
man. ex- u uited States District Attorney Stepher
/ A. Walker and ex-Secretary OF the Treasury
! Charles y. Fairchiid.
Long before o'clock the hour set for open
ing the meeting. every seat and available inch
\ of standing room III the large hall was oc
/ cupied. and many OF those who were tardy IL
seeking entrance we're unable to get In Oswald
/ 0tteudorfer called the meeting to order
! He said: az thank you for your wiling
ness and alacrity In answering the
| invitation to protest against the hoidln2
| OF q premature state convention by which
| delegates are to be nominated to represen,
| the democracy of the state of New York IN the
national democratic convention to take pace
| more than four months hence. The whole pro-
| ceeding of the democratic state committee Is
as provoking as il is uncalled for; no good
reason can be given to explain II and Its only
| explanation is that it is. well adapted to
promote the schemes OF some IN
triguing politicians, who have reason TO
avoid the open daylight, and to try to secure a
snap judgment by which they can pretend to
represent the democracy of the empire state.
l hope that majority of the members OF the
democratic state committee have been misied
by the representations of some schemers TO
consent to the call of that convention without
considering the disastrous consequences whleh
must follow their action But they have made
a fearful mistake, and mistake In such 4 mat
ter is worse than a crime. Seeing the result OF
their error hope they will reuace their steps
ana adopt measures IN accordance Win the re-
quirements OF fairness and Justice III not
then they have to take the responsibility for
the disastrous consequences that may follow
their unwlse and InconslGerate action
MR.. coCDERT's ADDRESS.
Frederick R. Coudert was chosen chairman.
In speaking of the object OF the meeting. Mr.,
Coudert said: "It is for the assertion of a right
Of which men in authority seeking to de-
prive Us. 1t is the right to express our opinion
and manifest our will upon every subject Of
public and political concern. 10 curtall speech
has been in our catechism the worst otfense
that could be committed against liberty.
Then, ," said he, ''the great mass OF us are loyal
to the party and faithful to Its rules. l, for
been named as possible candidates single man
in the democratic party whom l would not pre-
fer to vote FOX 20 any man IN the republican
ranks The most dangerous rebelilOns are
those which are based on resentment against
violations of sound principles. Men, good or
bad, pass away, and movements founded upon
an adherence to, or a dlstrust Of, them, or
their methods. Cannot hive forever. These men
who are called the leaders must bear in mind
that they are trustees and agents. not autocrats
and principals; that they cannot substitute
their will tor that OF the mass of the political
brethren"
Mr.. Coudert was interrupted by frequent
applause. though it was noticeable that nearly
all the applause came from the section Of the
hall containing about one-half the audience.
Those who applauded did enthusiastically
but fully one-half the audience-mainiy those
In the rear seats or those standing in the
aisies-maintained the attitude of spectators
who took but lukewarm interest in the pro-
ceedings.
There we're a number of speakers. Charles
s. Fairchilds said: I'VE believe that both our
party and our principles are In peril. We
believe that great numbers of democrats, both
In state and nation, feel this peril, and there
fore that we would be crayeps and towards did
we not do our utmost TO give an outlet to the
feeling which We know to exist and which has
been repressed by every device known to OFF,
clal power and party machinery. If you love
your party, stop-listen. Do you not hear the
dull roar coming through the mist? 1t is the
sound OF the surf breaking upon the rocks
whittier you are driving your ship with all
speed Stop; turn from your course while it
Is yet time to save our beloved party from q
disaster the end whereof no man can see."
John s. Milburn Of Erie county advocated
sending delegation to Chicago Ito come right
from the heart Of the people, strong for gen
uine tariff reform, for a sound currency, an
administration conducted on business princi-
rNia for no nf btrxbv A.l
democrat who ia such in deeds and not in
words alone"
CLEVELAND ENTHUsIAsM.
1t was during this speech that the latent en-
| thusiasm for Grover Cleveland was brought
out A yell went up as from one throat, cheers
upon cheers; hats were waved and umbrellas
fourished wildly. I'VE can do it by sending
delegation to Chicago right from the hearts Of
the people" continued the speaker.
"Grover Cleveland, went up q cry; what
the matter with Grover"
Hes all right" was the response.
A Frank jerks of Chautauqua said: "Chau
to the democrats of Manhattan Island and tel
them that the air Of Chautauqua is too pure tc
breed a race of political slaves. Three-fourths
of Us are for Cleveland and we are democrats
for principle and not for spoils.'' He said
THE viper Of personal ambition has fastened
itself upon the vitals Of the democratic party
and the caucerous growth has spread its fibere
into every portion of the state"
EX-Cnlted States District Attorney Walker
then offered the resolutions which were warmly
appiauded. When Chairman Coudert called
for the ayes and noes the resolutions were
| adopted with practical unauinity only O few
scattering noes-less than dozen in all-beiua
heard when the chairman called for them.
The resolutions protest and appeal a2ains,
the ill-advised action Of the state committee in
| designating so early q date as February % for
| the state convention; declare that the right OF
| the voters Of political party to assemble a,
| the call of the leaders who are its representa-
| tives and servants, to carry out its will in re-
gard to the details OF party management
| should not be curtailed in time. place or cir
\ cumstances in such q way as to limit or EN-
barrass Q genuine expression OF popular part,
feeling; that delegates should be fresh from the
| people; that tine history of contests upon Ia
tional issues in the state OF New York since 1851
shows that too much prudence cannot be exer
| cIsed, nor are too much enthusiasm ant
| labor possible in the effort tc carr,
New York for the democratic party. Thu
! record OF success 10 confined to three ou
/ Of the nine most recent canvasses. We Lav,
| met, and every time must meet a.
| arrogant and upscrupulous adversary. III,
| area of contest is our whole imperial domain
| In such n strife success does not 60 to number
| only. 1t rests upon unity and fidelity in ever,
/ couny to the interests and principles Of III,
voters as declared In party platforms which
| have been the basis Of successful contests anS
| IL Is absolutely necessary III every campaign
that no lust grievances of the people from Ia,