Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-10-28
TALKED TO GERMANS.
Cleveland on The PrinCi.
piles Of Citizenship.
TARIFF LAW OVERHAUlEO.
Says It Makes the Rich Richer and the
Poor Poorer.

NEW YORK. Oct 2s-The German
Americ an Cleveland union held great
mass meeting last night in Cooper Union.
the large hail being packed with people,
nearly as many more being unable to gain
admittance. Enthusiasm was at white
heat throughout the proceedings, tumult-
uous applause greeting Mr.. Cleveland,
Carl Schurz. Oswald Ottendorfer and lead
ing Ger man-American citizens Seated
upon the platform were several hundred
German American business and profes-
sional men.
Oswald Ottendorfer called the meeting
to order AMI made an address, In the
course Of which he said that "the stand
ard bearer whom the Democrats have. TO
large extent against their will, called, TO
the 'front.' will inaugurate n new era, In
which the best elements Of the Demo
cratic party will come into power"
As Mr. Ottendorfer was closing mighty
cheer arose near to the entrance OF the
hall, and the bank struck up Hail to the
Chief" At once Mr.. Cleveland was seen
coming down the aisle toward the stage,
and the vast assemblage stood up and
kerchiefs. As Mr.. Cleveland appeared on
the stage whirlwind OF applause swept
over the hall. continuing for fully five
mihutes.
William Steinway was then introduced
as chairman, aud made a brief address,
during which he assailed the Mckinley
bill.
Chairman Steinway then introduced
Hon Grover Cleveland. Again the audi
euce broke loose and shouted itself hoarse
In greeting to the ex-president. Follow
ing il
Mr.. Cleveland's Address:
Fellow Citizens-When ! address. you A.
'fellow citizens" use the salutation common
on such occasions as this, and one which ordi.
narily carries with II no greater meaning than
n customary greeting. IL seems to me, how
ever, not amiss, in the presence OF such an as
sembage a. ! ses before me, to consider what
IL is that entities US TO call each other fellow
citizens
Its at once apparent that we can only apply
these words 20 American fellow citizens
proud OF tho land in which they live, proud Of
American institutions, and devoted to the
achievement Of American success and great
ness.
They do rot require that those who como to
US from other lands and become our people
shall forget their old homes, but they do sig
Nifty such an sssiisilation on their part as
leads them TO contribute whatever 10 valuable
In the character they inherit, In the country
of their birth, to the fund Of American happi-
ness and prosperity. IL frugality and industry
are their national traits, those should be by
them contributed TO American prosperity, and
II chssrfulness and . love of song are their
national characteristics, these should be con-
tributed TO American happiness.
Those who do these things In true fratornal
spirit and in cooperation with all othcrs who
love the American name, and who also regu-
late their political action by thoughtfulness
and an snxious desire for American welfare,
entitle themselves TO membership In the grand
association OF
American Fellow Citizens.
But there is another and an exceedingly i'm
portant meaning to no given TO these words,
which arises from the idea Of fair and equal
community OF interests which they naturally
suggest. II We are to be truly fellow citizens,
we must have not only . common purpose,
but a common division of the benefits arising
from our association. Our citizenship grows
out OF our allegiance and devotion to the gov
ernment which claims our patriotic support;
but we can hardly be accused OF straininR the
meaning of words when we insist that IL We
are TO be fellows In our citizenship this fellow
ship Is only realized whom We enjoy In An
equal and Just manner the advantages Of our
citizenship.
Whether this is our actual condition II at
this time a subject OF anxious popular inquiry.
We find n political party soliciting the suf
frages Of our people in support Of the doctrine
that this fellowship In our citizenship 10 Sc
cured when the prosperity of certain especial
interests is favored in the making and eIecu-
ion OF orr laws. and is made q direct charge
upon ihr lu-try OF those not within the cir
Gle of gov rnmental partiality. As n result OF
the successful assertion of this doctrine, we
find enormous unearned fortunes in the hands
OF a few individuals, while those who, in an
unequal race, patiently rely upon personal
thrift and sturdy individual effort
Are Far In the Rear.
Inequalities Of fortune furnish no ground
for discomfort whom they are due to differ
ences in enterprise, legitimate opportunity, or
natural endowment. When, however, they
are traceable To government interference In
behalf OF a small minority Of our people. at
the expense Of the remainder. nothing but the
deception OF partisan blindness Of those who
suffer can prevent them from challenging this
injustice and demanding tho consideration
due them by virtue Of their fellowship In
American citizenship.
interpret the organization and activity OF
the German American union as protesting
against the violation Of the rights OF its men,
bers in this fellowship; and conceive this de-
moDstration 10 be a revolt against the mock
cry Of calling those our fellow citizens who
are deprived Of an equal participation In the
advantages promised under
Free American Institutions.
Let us always remember that unjust condi-
tions not due TO any infrmity In the prin-
cples upon which our government is
founded. They are sufficient for us Ia all
our needs. Injustice IL born Of their perver-
eion.
We are led, therefore, directly to the con-
clusion that the remedy for unfair inequali-
ties in the distribution of the benefits OF our
American citizenship II in tho hands OF the
voters OF the land. and that IL there has been
q departure from the lights which should
guide the operations OF our government, IL 10
for the people to demand . return to safe
channels.
Let me warn you, in closing, that the strus-
gle 10 secure the ratification Of false methods
and the dislod GIN mt OF selfish advantages Ia
not an easy one. Attempts 20 ohiols our
voters, successful in the past, are still con.
tinued, and brib cry and corruption are still In
vogue. IL is only by intelligent argument, con.
stant endeavor and unremitting vigilance that
we shall recover the Just and equal share ~
benefits which belong TO ss as American tel
low ci tizens
nta L,t sxtny a,