The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-02

YER Cleveland spoke before the Business
Mons Democratic Association tonight
i'll Lenox Lycenm, Madison avenue and
Fifty ninth street, devoting his entire
attention to the charges that the pre-
dictions of the Republican success
were based upon the ability OF that
party to purchase the votes OF tho peo-
pie with money contributed by pro-
tected manufactors. The audience
numbered about 25. 900 persons and two
tiers OF the boxes were occupied mainly
by women. The hall was handsomely
draped and Cappa's Seventh Regiment
band furnished the music.
Joseph j. O'Donohue escorted the ex
President to the platform at O'Clock.
Cleveland was enthusiastically cheered
again and again. The men waved their
hats and small American flags fluttered
eagerly from the hands OF the women in
the boxes. Cleveland bowed repeatedly
in acknowledgement. The cheering
was removed vigorously when, after the
routine business had gone through,
Chairman Edward Simmons, president
of tho association, introduced the OK
President, who said:
"Fellow-citiZens, we have nearly
reached the last hours of the discussion
in campaign characterized by many
unusual features and incidents. | ven
ture the assertion that nevcr in the rec
objection of anyone here present has
Presidential canvass been carried on
with such lack of noiso and excitement
and in such an apparent atmosphere of
popular thoughtfulness. Il this is act
ually the condition, and il our voters
are really thoughtful, it should be cause
for congratulation on the part OF every
American citizen, for it must be ad.
mitted that sober elaboration in the
efforts OF the right o. suffrage is the
foundation OF our hopo for national per-
petuity.
None OF US can complain of the po-
litical result which represents the con.
scientious and clear convictions of a
convictions prevail, it is the misfor.
tune or fault of party If it is defeated
because the principles it advocates are
not understood by our voters or il un.
derstood not accepted.
eff we assume that the quiet of the
campaign is attributable to thoughtful
ness among our people and deliberate
sense Of patriotic duty in the exercise
of their sutfrages, there would seem to
be no place for fear or misgiving as to
the result on the part of those who sup.
port Democratic principles. In exactly
the form they are involved in the pre-
sent campaign these principles were
presented two years ago to the voters Of
the country and received their endorse
ment by tremendous majority; since
then the drift of public opinion has been
in our direction and doctrines opposed
to ours have been more than ever dis
credited.
"It must be conceded, too, that the
lntellie emit and disinterested men who
have left the ranks of our opponents and
joined our standard are exceptionally
numerous and influential. The fact that
with all these thing in our favor we are
still not absolutely sure of success,
would be startling If wo did not know
the desperate and sdisreputable methods
which confront US. Our opponen is. van
pushed in every argument worthy of pre-
sentation' to the reason of our country.
mon, have appealt to the passions and
prejudices through the distribution OF
the most i'm pudent lies concerning the
record and action OF our party and its
candidates.
This, however, is not their main re.
lance nor is it our greatest danger. 1t
is confession most humiliating to
American citizenship that with cause
so thoroughly entrenched in reason, and
CONNIE ending itself so clearly to the
intelligence of patriotic Americans, we
daily hear predictions of Republican
success, based upon the ability of that
party to purchase the votes OF the peo-
pie.
"a li.tle reflection, it seems to me,
cannot fail to arouse American con-
science to the wickedness as we'll as
the peril OF dehauched suffrage. 1t is
q plain proposition that our Govern.
mcnt is only trne to the principle upon
which II rests, whom in its operation it
represents the honest and Intelligent
sentiments OF the people. When it
does not, it's vigor and its very life arc
gone and it remains but more sem.
blance Of it's free government-the
weakest and most deformed plan OF
rule that ever deluded mankind. 1t
can then no longer defend the rights OF
all, because the rights will BIO forgot.
ten in the capriciOus bestowal of favors.
1t will then no longer be the proud
manifestation Of strength and virtue OF
free people, because it will only be the
miserable instrument Of craft and sci.
fishness.
WHO of all those who believe our
government was created to bless tho
American people and benefit mankind,
will deny that the corruption Of our
suffrage paves the way to these condi-
tions. The time has surely come when
those who see the beginning of this cor
ruption should look beyond it and be.
meath it, in an endeavor to discover the
source OF our Danger and the forces
which give 1t deadly strength. 1t has