The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-05
DAY OF INDEPENDENCE.
PENNED UP PATRIOTTSM LET LOOSE
JYNEW YORK ASD ELsEUHERE.
Tammanv, as Usual, in the Lead Speeches
of wcii-Known sachems-Letter- From
Grover Cleveland and David B. Hill.

weather conditions are concerned. that
New Workers have experienced in num-
Der of years
The city of New York had arranged no
municipal festivities this year. but to
make up for this a great many societies
celebrated the day in methods character
| istic Of their organizations.
The principal meeting was held by
| Tammany at the Wigwam, on Fourteenth
street. II was the one hundred and fourth
celebration. Mayor Gilroy, the grand
sachem OF the order, presided and opened
the proceedings by few words OF vel
come. Letters Of regret were read from
| President Cleveland. Vice-President Ste
venson, the members Of the Cabinet,
! Governor Flower and many prominent
| Democratic Senators and Congressn en-.
| President Cleveiands letter was as fol-
! lows:
Executive Mansion,
Washington. ID. c., June 2s, 1898.
/ Hon. Richard Croker Chairman-elect:
Dear Sir,-I regret that / am unable to
/ accept the invitation of the Tammany
[ Society to attend the celebration Of the
| anniversary of American independence
on the 4th Of July This Is a day on
| which all true Americans ought 10 cele-
| brate as often as IL occurs. When, how
! ever the cOmmemoratiOn Of the discOv-
! cry of the land we occupy, and the cele-
bration of the day when II was conse-
Grated to liberty and popular govern
nent are cOincident, the occasion
should revive and stimulate all ennobing
and patriotic sentiments, which are es-
sential to the safety and perpetuity OF
American Institutions. At such time II is
fitting that we rejoice I'm the dauntess
purpose and constant devotion that have
this far marked out the way Of our
nation. We should lose the most impor-
tant lesson Of the day we celebrate IL
we forget that the labor and diligence Of
those interested with self-gOvernment
must be untiring and always patriotic.
There has never been time when our
cOuntrymen should be more soberly re-
minded that they cannot safely delegate
their duties and obligations OF citizen
ship nor neglect 10 cultivate their indi-
vidual and personal interest I'm public
affairs. If those who now celebrate the
anniversary Of American independence
guard against the sordid struggle for un-
limited wealth that stihes patriotism; IL
they exact from public servants strictest
accountability IN performance Of public
duties: If they hold fast 20 American
ideas that work IS honorable and economy
Is virtue: If they insist that there should
he honesty and cleanliness in politics.
and If they refuse TO encourage expedi-
ents that endanger foreign or national
finance. those who follow us will joy
ously celebrate the day In centuries yet
20 come Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The Vice-Presidents letter briefly ex-
pressed regrets that a previous engage
~. af fHef.s Ion. al.
prevented his acceptance Oh Tammanys
invitation.
The following is the letter OF Senator
David B. Iill
Albany y. Y, July 3. 1898.
Hon. Richard Croker:
Dear Sir,-Other engagements Will pre-
vent my accepting your courteous in
vitation to participate with the Tammany
Society or Columbian order, in the cele-
bration Of the approaching Fourth.
The critical condition OF the country at
this time awakens the greatest solicitude
of every patriotic citizen desirous OF its
abundant success and prosperity. 1t also
demands from those whom the people
have invested with authority the exhibit
tion Of the highest craftsmanship.
1t is now evident that the financial
question which so recently from various
motives was sought In some quarters to
be ignored or pushed aside In behalf Of
other issues, imperatively requires pre-
cedence as well as recognition. and its
solution is demanded. not by the adop-
tion Of temporary expedients and ques-
tionable compromises. but by a return
TO the sound monetary principles Of our
fathers. Not present relief merely. bur
the restoration or establishment Of a
permanent financial system, under which !
our currency shall be safely regulated. !
is the plain duty of the hour. A fixed |
vigorous and definite financial policy. |
rather than a fixed weak and vacillating !
course; one that will settle the question |
not for a day but for decades; one that |
embraces and subserves the interests OF |
the whole country rather than any par /
ticular section, is the wise policy which /
the nation needs
The unconditional repeal Of the Sherman |
act. against the enactment OF which to |
their credit be IL said. every Democrat i'm /
Congress voted, IS the first and essential |
step in the right direction. Such repeal
is necessary 20 lay the foundation for the
enactment OF that legislation or the in
auguratlon Of that initial concurrence
which shall ever lead us TO the goal Of
that free bmetalic coinage to which
both Of the great political parties are
solemnly committed.
WIN honorable peace With all natl DIS |
abroad ard Harmonious relations pre-
vailing at home; with commercial CON
fdence restored. free elections guaranteed,
our country will enter upon a new course
of unexampled prosperity and receive the
full benefits which are capable Of being
realized under our American free insttu-
tions. / remain your fellow-citizen.
DAVID b. HILL.
Then camo Speaker Crisp In the first
OF the long talks. lie began with burst
Of patriotism and said that although on
this July 4th there were conditions which
produced uneasiness, yet there were still
many things to boast Of. But they had
not all they wanted. If there was uneasl-
ness, uncertainty. stagnation of trade, II
could be charged UP 10 the Republican
party. The laws which brought about
,hese conditions were Republican laws.
enacted against the protests OF Demo-
rats. But they should be thankful that.
~ the votes Of the people last November,
he Democratic party had set up house
leeping at Washington on behalf of the
lation. When Congress assembled on
August 7th, as far as things could be
emedied by legislation he was confident
hat laws would be enacted which would |
estore confidence and bring prosperity !
Igain to the nation.
Congressman Benton McMillin. OF Ten
lessee. came next His speech bristled
With patriotic epigrams and references TO
'homas Jefferson, which were punctuated
" the explosion Of fireworks. What JEFF
erson did for the United States Glad
s,t |