Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-25
The President en- the Former Sub
ject, the Senator on the Meaning
of tho Latter-Troops in Labor
Troubles, Etc.

President Cleveland Postmaster-General
Wilson, Secretary-of-War Lannon'S and
many others were read. President Cleve-
lands letter was as follows:
"EXECUTIVB MANSION,
WASHINGTON. d. c.. May 20, 1898.
John A. Mason, Esq, Chairman, etc.
My Dear Sir,-I regret that my official
duties oblige me to decline the courteous
Invitation / have received TO attend the
annual banquet of the Democratic Edi-
torial Association on the 2ith instant.
This reunion OF Democratic editors VIII,
/ am sure. be an enjoyable occasion TO
all who participate, and / shall be much
disappointed II IT does not stimulate the
zeal OF the fraternity there assembled In
behalf OF the Democratic cause
and Democratic principles Our party
is so much party Of the people,
and its proper action and usefulness are
so dependent upon a constant adherence
TO It's doctrines and traditions that no
tendency in our ranks to follow the mis-
leading light OF temporary popular mis-
apprehension should 90 unchallenged. our
victories have all been won when we
have closely followed the banner Of Demo
cratic principle. We have always been
punished by defeat when, losing sight OF
our banner, we have yielded 10 the Diahu-
ishments Of un-Democratic expectancy
"There Is a temptation now VeNlns lhe
people in different sections or the couh-
inv which assumes the disguise OF Demo
cratic party principle, inasmuch as
presents a scheme which IL clailneu 10
be "a remedy for the agricultural ueplSS
sion and such other hardships as aIilct
our felow-citizens. Thus because We "Ie
the friends of the people, and profess
devotion 10 their interests, the help OF the
members Of our party is invoked IN sup
mort of a plan to revolutionize the InohC
tarv condition Of the country and einbark
upon an experiment which Is dlscIeuit'u
nv ALI reason and experience, Whlch III
vites trouble and disaster in every ave
nue. Of labor and enterprise, ana Whlcn
must prove destructive 70 our nauohdl
prestige and character.
FREE COINAGE.
when a campaign is actVey on lo1'
90 force the free unlimited, and indepehu-
ent coinage Of silver by the government
at a ratio which will add TO our clfcuia
tion unrestricted millions or so-caHeu
dollars. intrnsically worth out nan tle
amount they purport 10 represent VIZ
no proyision or resource to make goou
,his deecIencv I'm value, and when 1t is
claimed that such a proposition mas aIy
relation 10 the principles OF Democracy
II Is time for all who may In the least
degree influence Democratic thousht u
realize their responsibility.
"Our party Is the party or the peopie'
,,,,+ beca,se II is waited hither and thinner
bv every wave OF popular excitement anu
instrumentation, but because, while IL tesls
every proposition by the doctrines Whlcn
underiie it's organization, II insists tid'
oil interests should be defended in the
"a ~nEnFnmpnf- Win
out especial favor or discrimination
.Our marty is the party of the people
becouse in its care for the welfare OF all
our couutrymen 1t ressts dangerous
schemes. born OF discomfort advocated
NV anneals to sectional or class preJudlce'
ana reinforced by the insidious aid OF pm
vate selhshness and cupidity.
SOUND MONEY OUR LIKELIHOOD.
"Aboye all. our party is the party OF
the people when II recognizes the laCt
hat sound and absolutely safe money Is
the Nfe-blood of our country's strength
and prosperity, and when II teaches 'hd'
none of our fellow-citizens, rich OF poor
great or humble, can escape the 'oiise-
ouences of a degeneration OF our currency
"Democratic care and conservatism ulc-
tate that II there exists inconvenience
and hardship resulting from the conges-
%
culating medium. a remedy should be APP
,I,ed which will avoid the disaster mat
must follow i'm the train Of silver mono
"yVbat | have written has not been
,.ro,onted bv any fear that the Democ-
racy of the state OF New YORK VIII ever
be an accomplice in such an injury 10
their country as would be entalled Dy
the free and unlimited and independent
10
will be so needless OF party interests as
60 sunport such a movement. l have
referred to this subject in the BELIEF that
nothing more important can engage the
attention OF the American people or the
national Democracy and In the cohvlc,loh
that the voice of the Democrats OF New
YORK. through It's press. should constant
IN be heard in every State.
"Yours very truly, .,,, .,.r,,
GROVER CLEVELAND
TOAsTS.
The Hon. W. l.. Brown acted as toast
master. The following were the toastH
Democracy" Hon. David Il. H'll; SOUND
Money" Hon James II. Eckels, Party
Principles" Hon. Charles ;. Falrchlldi
.,rhe Democracy of the State Of New
York" Hon. Roswell T. Flower; Ihe
CIV of New York" Hon. Ashbel Z. Fitch;
..,rhe legislative Minority OF 1885," Hon.
Jacob A. Cantor: THE Press Albert
r. Kessiuger
SENATOR HILL.
When MIR. Brown introduced Senator
Hul applause followed. Mr.. Hill spoke
in part as follows:
1T seems almost inappropriate thdt
should be asked TO elucidate the princi-
pies OK Democracy in the presence OF
company of journalists whose life-work
has been devoted 10 their exposition
Whatever | know concerning my subJect
| freely acknowledge that l have learned
AT your feet. The lessons which you nave
taught for so many years have constr
tuted the bulwark OF my faith and iilu-
mined my whole political pathway. IL Is
impossible to overestimate the influence
of the press In shaping the policies OF
free government like ours. IL is, indeed
the prominent, the conspicuous, the con-
trolling feature IN American politics To-
day. largely overshadowing all other in
strumentalities 1t has 10 some extent
superseded the political orator because
il speaks constantly, while he talks only
occasionally. II oyermatches our public
schools because they take long vacatio n-.
II outrivals the pulpit because II preacl 3
weekdays as well as Sundays, observing
no holidays. and taking no European
trims. IL dlminishes the influence OF our
courts. because it anticipates their decis-
ions-usually accurately.
SIT towers above congresses and iegisla-
lures. because II Is not hampered by ON
cial responsibility. and with It's freedom
guaranteed under our Constitution, It can
freely recommend. criticise, and condemn
with absolute fearlessness and indepen-
dence. with no veto power to intimidate
or revise its actions. except the force OF
an enlightened public opinion, which Is
always supreme. Presidents and gov
errors are not beyond the reach OF It's
shafts. and Il enters alike the palaces OF
the rich and the cottages OF the poor.
II is the terror OF wrong-doers. the de-
fender OF liberty. and the champion OF
popular rights. Better than large armies
and powerful nayies is the strong support
OF an honest. able. and incorrupuble
press. In any struggle which may come
with foreign foes or for the preservation
Of our free Institutions. II our quarrel
be hst. II our cause be right, the In
fiuence OF the press can make II better
and stronger and Irresistible
MEANING OF DEMOCRACY.
Democracy, In its broadest sense,
means the people-the body politie-the
source OF popular government. In
strscter sense. il means a constitutional.