Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-02
GROVER SPEAKSAGAIN
Ae Addresses the Democratic Busi-
ness Men in New York
on THE TARIFF ISSUE ALONE.
Not One Word Says He About the Force
Bill or Wildcat Banking.
SEVERAL OTHER QUESTIONS IGNORED

SEVERAL OTHER QUESTIONS IGNOREl
NEW YORK. Nov. L-Lenox /Lyceun
Hall was crowded to the doors tonight
and hundreds were unable to get inside
Grover Cleveland spoke there to a meeting
Of the New York Business Mems Demo
cratic Association, and was cheered from
the momen. he was introduced, after almost
every sentence he uttered. His speech
was as follows:
FELLOW CTTIzENs-We have nearly reached
the last hours Of discussion in a campaign
characterized by many unusual features
and incidents. venture the assertion that
never in the recollection of anyone here
present has Presidential canvass been car.
ried on with such lack OF noise and excite
ment and in such an apparent atmosphere
OF public thoughtfulness. II this is actually
the condition, ana ii our voters are really
thoughtful, it should be a cause for con-
graduation on the part of every American
citizen, for it must be that sober delibera-
tion in the exercise of the right of suffrage
Is the foundat ton of our hope for national
perpetuity. None OF us can complain of a
political result which represents the con-
eclentious and clear convictions of q major
lty OF our people. When these convictions
prevail it is the misfortune or fault or
larty, If it is defeated, because the princi-
piles it advocates are not understood by our
voters, or If understood, are not accepted.
Why This Is a Quiet Campaign.
five were sure that the quiet of this cam
paign is attributable to thoughtfulness
among our people and q deliberate sense of
patriotic duty in the exercise of their suf-
frages, there would seem to be no place for
fear or misgiying as to the part of those who
support Democratic principles. In exactly
the form they are involved in the present
campaign these principles were presented
two years ago to the voters, and received
their Endorsement by a tremendous major
tty. Since then the drift of public opinion
has been in our direction, and the doctrines
opposed to ours have been more than ever
discredited. 1t must be conceded, too, that
the intelligent and disinteresteu men who
have left the ranks of our opponents and
Joined our standard are exceptionally
numerous and influential.
The fact that with all these things in our
favor we are still not absolutely sure OF sue
cess would be startling If we did not know
the desperate and disreputaDle methods
which confront us. Our opponents, van-
Quished in every argument worthy of pres
entat1on of the reason or our countrymen,
have appealed to their passions and preju-
dices through the distribution of the most
1mpudent lies concerning the record and &C.
tlon OF our party and its candidates. This,
however, is not their main reliance, nor is it
our greatest danger.
A Humiliating Confession.
1t is a confession most humiliating to
American citizenship, that with a cause SO
thoroughly entrenched in reason, and COM
mending itself SO clearly to the intelligence |
of patriotic Americans. we daily hear pre- |
dictictions of Republican success. based
upon the ability of that party to purchase |
the votes of the people.
A little reflection, it seems to me, cannot |
fail to arouse the American conscience to |
the wickedness as well as the peril of q de- |
baucIed suffrage. 1t is a plain proposition
that our Government is only true TO the !
principles upon which it rests. when, in its
operation, 1T represents the honest and in
tell1gent sentiment of the people. When it
does not its vigor and its very life are gone,
and it remains but the mere semblance OF a
free Government-the weakest and most de-
formed plan OF rule that ever deluded man.
kind. 1t can then no longer defend the
rights of all, because rights will be forgotten
In the caprlclous Destowal OF favors 1t will
then no longer be the proud manifestation |
OF the strength and virtue of free people, |
because it Will only be the miserable instru-
ment OF craft and selfishness. |
Who OF all those who believe our Govern |
ment was created to bless American people
and benefit mankind, will deny that the cor
ruption of our suffrage paves the way to |
these conditions? The time has surely com.
whenythoSe who zee the beginning of this /
corruption should look beyond it and be-
nearn it, in an endeavor to discover the |
source OF our danger and the forces which |
give it deadly strength. 1t has its source in
the perversion of our Government to the |
1urtherance of limited ana special interests |
and In the invitation thus extended to an |
ticipate continuance of Governmental
favor in compensation for partisan support. |
The forces behind it are greed and selfish
ness, willing to prostitute the suffrage of the |
people to pecuniary gain.
Nothing Unnatural in the Situation.
In the light of these considerations, there
is nothing unnatural in the situation of the |
pending canvass. When our countrymen
yield to temptation and turn their backs
upon the broad and disinterested patriotism
flof fSNn o1,o 4
and when they reach the point where they |
are willing to subordinate political duty to |
business gain, it is a short step to active |
in schemes OF corruption, hav-
ing for their object the retention in power
OF the party by which unearned business
profits are promised.
The movement begins with the corrup-
lon by means of these promises, of the
themselves They are there
alter willing instruments for the corruption
ot others, instigated to activity by an OBJ
lGatlon to aid the party which has favored
them, and stimulated BY the expectation of |
further especial benefits.
This deal between a political party and ,
private enterprise, by which Governmental |
lid is promised in exchsnge for PARTISAN
support, is covered by the prete1t of a care
or the business interest of the country |
,hese interests, and while we hold thatno
political party should be unmindiul of them
'r needless of their prosperity, we insist that
10 plea for them shall be used to Justify |
political methods which endanger the in
egrity and Denefcence of our institutions.
An Excuse for Corrupt Politics.
Since, therefore. the fair name of our busi
less interests has thus been used in a dis
service, have deemed it appro-
'r1ate to call attention to these things in an
ssemblage gathered together under the
uspices OF a business mems club, 1t seems |
% be peculiarly fit and proper that the pa-
riotic business men of our country sboulo
epudlate the suggestion that care of the in
erests that they have in their keeping can |
e an excuse Tor a corrupt political practice.
hey can teach with especial authority the |
esson that business interests are sa fest \
nder a fair administration o. an honest and
ust Government, representing the un- | =
ounded suffrage of our people.
Beyond this, however, our business men |
nd all other Americans who love their
ountry ought to make common cause in an |
fort to turn back the lid which loads to a =
erversion of the functions OF our Govern
lent invites the corruption of our voters
nd menaces the sure foundations of polit. |
al viri ne.
In a sincere and disinterested advocacy of
snsible tariff reform, we labor to remove
he temptations that beset the integrity of |
nr people, and strive to preserve that JUS | =
ce and equality which our Governments |
as created to guarantee to all our country.
len.
Let us at all times bear in mind that it ia
le peoples cause we have in hand: and |
hlle warming them of danger, let us never |
se faith in the irresistible power of their
intelligence and patriotism.
GRESHAM is FOR GROVER.