The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-10-28
CLEVELAND SPEAKS.
iIo Ialks to German Democrats in Cooper
Unlon, New York.

iIe lalks to German Democrats In Cooper
UnIon, New York.
NEW York, Oct 27.-The German
American Cleveland Union held great
mass meeting tonight in Cooper Union,
the largest hall being packed, nearly as
many more being unable to gain admit
lance. As Mr. Cleveland was seen coming
down the aisle toward the rear entrance
to the stage, the vast assemblage stood
up and cheered, yelled and waved hats
and handkerchiefs. In his speech he
said:
Fellow ClrIzENs:-When I address
youas my fellow citizens" / use the
salutation common on occasions OF this
kind and one which ordinarily carries
with it no greater meaning than u Gus
tomarY greeting.
1t seems 10 me, however, not amiss,
in the presence OF such an assembiage
as see before me, to consider what it
is that entities I'd to call each other lei
low CitiZens.
1t is at once apparent that We can
only apply these words to American
fellow cilizens-proud OF the land in
which they live, proud OF American ill.,
stitutions, and devoted TO the achieve
ments OF American success and great
ness. They do not require that those
VINO como to US from other lands and
become cur people, shall forget their
old homes, but they do signify such an
assimilation on their part as leads them
to contribute whatever is valuable in
the character they inherit in the coun-
try Of their birth to the fund OF Alneri-
can prosperity and happiness.
If frugality and industry are their
national traits, those should be by them
contributed to American prosperity;
and il cheerfulness and love OF song
are their national characteristics, these
should be contributed to American
happiness.
Those who do these things in true
iraternal spirit, aud in cooperation
with all others who love the American
name, and who also regulate their
political action by thoughtfulness, and
an anxious desire for American welfare
entitle themselves to membership in
the grand association OF American fell
low citizens.
But there is another, and an exceed
ingly important meaning to be given to
these words. which arises from the idea
OF fair and equal community OF inter
ests, which they naturally suggest. II
We are to be truly fellow citizens We
must have not only a common purpose,
but common division OF the benefits
arising from our association. Our citi-
zenship grows out OF our allegiance and
devotion to the government which
claims our patriotic support; but we
can hardly be accused OF straining the
meaning OF words which We insist that
ii we are to befellows in our citizenship
this fellowship ia only realized when we
enjoy in IN equal and just manner the
advantages OF our citizenship. Whether
this is our actual condition is at this
time subject OF anxious popular in
quiry.
We find political party soliciting
the sufirages OF our people in support
OF the doctrine that this fellowship in
our citizenship is secured when the
prosperity OF certain special interests is
favored in the making and execution OF
our laws. and is made direct charge
upon the industrious. AS n result OF
the successful assertion of this doctrine,
we find enormous unearned fortunes IN
the hands OF few individuals, who, in
an unequal race, patiently rely upon
personal thrift and sturdy individurl
effort are far in the rear.
Inequalities of fortune furnish no
ground for discomfort, when they are
due to differences in enterprise, legiti-
mate opportunity or natural endow-
ment. When, however, they are trace
able in governmental interference in be-
half OF small minority OF our people
at tho expense OF the remainder, Moth
ing but the deception or partisan blind
ness OF those who suffer can prevent
them from challenging this injustice
and demanding the consideration due
them by virtue OF their fellowship in
American citizenship. .
Let me warn you in closing.that the
struggle to secure the rectification OF
false methods and the dislodgement OF
selfish advantages, is not an easy one.
Attempts to cajole our voters successful
in the past, are still continued, and
bribery and CORRUPTION are still in
vogue. 1t is only by intelligent argu-
ment, constant endeavor and unremit-
ting vigilance that we shall recover the
just and equal share OF benefits which
belong to US as American citizens.
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