Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-01-14


Mems Democratic Association tonight
by banquet at the Hoffman House,
The toasts were as follows: "The Day
We Celebrate" responded to by ex-
President Cleveland; 1.-THE Twin Cities
New York and Brooklyn" by ex
Postmaster Hendrix of Brooklyn; "rhe
Issues of the Day." by Congressman W.
M. Springer; "'The Democrats Above the
Harlem River" by ex-Judge McMahon
of Rome; Cuisines Men in Politics."
by l.. w. Redington of Vermont, and
"The State of New York" by State SEN
ator Jacob A. Cantor.
Mr.. Cleveland, on being introduced
by the chairman, spoke as follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen: No one can
question the propriety Of the celebration
of this day by the organization whose
invitation has called us together. Its right
to celebrate on this occasion results from
the fact that it is an organization attached
to the doctrines of true Democracy, having
membership composed of business men
who, In disinterested way, devote them
selves to honest party work and who labor
for the growth and spread of the political
principles which they profess.
This anniversary has not gained its place
as a festival day In the calendar of Democ-
racy by chance, nor through nnmeaning
cratic party merely because battle was
fought on the Sth day of January many
years ago at New Orleans. That battle in
Itself had no immediate political signiti-
canoe, and considered solely as a military
achievement in comparison with many
other battles fought by Americans both
before and since, it need not be regarded rs
an event demanding especial commemora-
ton.
The Democratic zest and enthusiasm of
our celebration of the day grows out of
the fact that the battle of New Orleans
was won under the generalship of Andrew
Jackson. So, while the successful general
in that battle is not forgotten tonight,
Democrats, wherever they are assembled
throughout our land to celebrate the day,
are honoring the hero who won the battles
of Democracy and are concentrating
the political courage and steadfastness
which were his prominent characteristics
AFFECTION FOR JACKSON.
It is well that there are occasions like
this where we may manifest that love and
affection for Andrew Jackson which have
place in every Democratic heart. 1t is
needless to attempt an explanation of this
love and affection. They are Democratic
instincts. So strong is our conviction that
Jackson's Democracy derived its strength
and vigor from the steadfast courage, the
honesty OF purpose and the sturdy persist
willingly profess the belief that these same
conditions are essential to the usefulness
and success of the Democratic party in
these latter days. Thus, wherever party
principle or policy may lead us, we have
constantly before us an unquestioned ex-
ample of the spirit in which our work
should be undertaken.
1t may not be improbable for us at this
time to recall some incidents in the career
of Andrew Jackson and note their bearing
upon the position of our party in its pres
ent relations to the people. We may thus
discover an incentive for the cultivation
and preservation of that Jacksonian spirit
which ought to belong to Democratic eff
fort.
When General Jackson was sent with
troops to protect our border against dis
turbers of the peace whose retreat was in
the Spanish province of Florida, he mott.
fled our government that If it was signiiied
to him that the possession of the Floridas
would be desirable to the United States il
should be forthwith accomplished. He
only believed he had the assent of his
government, but in that belief, and be
cause his word had been given he never
rested until his military occupation Of the
territory was complete.
coHFIDENuE IN DEMOCRACY.
The Democratic party has lately declared
to the people that If it was trusted and in
ton should be lightened and that a better
and more just distribution of benefits
should be assured to them. There is nC
doubt concerning our commission from
the eople to do this work, and there is nc
doubt chat we have received their trus
and confidence on the faith of our promises
In these circumstances there is no sign Of
yacksonian determination and persstency
In faltering or hesitating in the cause W.
have undertaken. If we accepted the trus
and confidence of the people with any
other design than to respond fully to then
we have been dishonored from the begin
ming. If we accepted them in good faitl
disgrace and humiliation await us il VT
relax our efforts before the promised enc
is reached
At New Orleans General Jackson at
tackled the enemy as soon as they landed
and fought against their making the leas
advance. 1t never occurred to him that u
he yielded to them foot of ground oil
gave them moments rest his opportunit,
TO defeat them would be promoted.
We who are proud to call ourselves Jack
sonian Democrats have boldly and aggres
sively attacked Il political hercsy, opposed
to the best interests of the people and de
Tended by an arrogant and inscription
party. The fight is still on. Who has tn
hardihood to say that we can lay claim u
the least Jacksonian spiritif in the struggl
we turn our backs to the enemy or lowe
IN the least our colorSf
THE FIGHT FOR TARIFF REFORM.
President Jackson believed the Unite
States Bank was an institution dangerou
to the liberties and prosperity Of the pee
pie. Once convinced OF this, his deter
mnation to destroy it closely followed
He early began the attack, utterly regard
less of any considerations of political ez
pediency or personal advancement excel
as they grew out of his faith in the people
and giving no place in bis calculations 70
any estimate OF the difficulty of the un1ei
.2king. From the time the first blow wa
struck until the contest ended in his CON
4 plcte triumph, he allowed nothing t
divert him from his purpose and permitte
no other issue to divide his energy or
be substituted for that OH which he wa
intent.
The Democratic party of to-day, whic
centuries with the name of Jackson, ha
also attacked monstrous evil, intrenche
behind perversion of governmental powt
and guarded by Its selfish benelciarie
On behalf of those among our people lor
neglected we have insisted on tariff rcfori
and an abandonment of unjust favorltlsn
We have thus adopted an issue 'gre'
enough to deserve the undivided efforts. q
our party, involving considerations whic
we profess to believe lie at the foundatio
of the Justice and fairness of popular ruiz
If we are to act upon our declared belt
In the power of that Jacksonian splr
which was the inspiration OF our party !
D the days of our great leader, we SHAH |
steadfast to the issue we have raised unit
r it is settled and rightly settled. The stea'
fastness we need will not permit Il prem
ture and distracting search for other an
N .perplexing questions, nor Will II allow
n TO be tempted or driven by the enemy int
new and tangled paths.
TRUSTED BY THE PEOPLE.