The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-10-08
DEMOCRATIC CLUBS CoNvEN-
TON.
A Great Gathering of Delegates
Speech by Mr.. Cleveland.

The convention of the National Association
of Democratic Clubs was held in New York
ON Tuesday and Wednesday, and there was a
very large attendance of prominent Demo
crais from every state in the Union. As the
MARYLAND delegates entered the hall "Mary-
land, Nv Maryland was played by the band,
and Dixie greeted the Nirginians rs they
| filed in.
Speeches were made by Chauncey F. Black,
| Gen. Patrick Collins and others, and Grover
| Cleveland spoke in part as follows:
Your meeting is the council of war which
precedes n decisive battle, and your delibera-
lions should be the preparation for stern con
| fict. All your weapons and all your equip
ments are soon TO be tested. \ on have or
ganized and abored and you have watched
and planned to insure your readiness for the
| final engagement now near at hand.
This, then, is no holiday assemblage, but
an impressive convocation in fnrtherance of
the designs and purposes for the accomplish
ment of which you and those you represent
are banded together.
These designs and purposes, as declared by
your association, are:
| The preservation of the Constitution of the
! United Stats, the autonomy of the States,
| local self government and freedom of cleo
tons, opposition to the imposition of taxes
| beyond the necessities OF the government
| economically administered, and the promotion
of economy in all branches OF the public ser
| vice.
! These professions embody the purest pa
| trotism and the loftiest aspirations of Ameri-
can citizenship. Though, at all times, they
| should suggest to us the strongest obligation
to political effort, their motive force, AS in
centives to political activity aud watchlulness,
4 Il, L., t,I,l .bn,, no
sttution is held in light esteem as against the
accomplishment of selfish purposes, when
State boundaries are hardly IL barrier to cen
tralized power and when local self govern
ment and freedom of elections are the scOff
of craftsmanship.
Those who subscribe to the creed of this
association and make any claim to sincerity
can hardly excuse themselves for lack OF
effort at Il time when the necessities of the
government, economically administered, have
| but little relation to the taxation of the peo-
Pile, and when extravaganza in the public
service has become "a contagious plague.
10 those who hope for better things, this
convention of Democratic clubs is bright
promise of reform. Unorganized good inten-
tions and idle patriotic aspirations cannot
successfully contend for mastery with the
compact forces Of private interests and greed,
| nor is Ine organization Always tne llost USE
full which has the widest extent. The real
benefit of political organization is found in
its nearness to the people and in the direct.
ness of its action. Of course, harmony and
unity of purpose are absolutely essential.
| In this view your assembling is most I'M
portant, in so far as it promotes this harmony
and unity by conference and consideration
of methods, and in so far as it inspires that
zeal and enthusiasm which will make more
effective your work at home.
Therefore, am sure that can say nothing
better in taking my leave of you than to wish
that your convention may be IA most profit
able and encouraging one. and that, at Ms
conclusion, you may resume your places III
your home organizations newly inspired 10
determined and Jealous effort in the cause OF
true Democracy.