The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-11-18
BUSINESS MEN BANQUET
Mr.. Wilson's Speech to the New
York Chamber of Commerce.
FREE GOVERNMENT ON TRIAL

tent-President Cleveland Writes That
"susinsss and Patriotism Are Becornins
More and More United."
New YORK, Nov 1S Tho l2sth annual
banquet of the Chamber of Commercs Of
the state of Now York, which was held
last evening at Delmonico's, was the most
notable yearly gathering that has been
held by that great organization. Manyof
the speeches were distinctly of u congrat
ulatory character, and those who led tho
fight against free coinage were given un'
stinted praise, while every mention OF
their names was greeted with applause.
President Cleveland and Governor Nor.
ton were unable to attend the banquet,
but they wrote letters, which when read
were received with wild cheers. President
Cleveland wrote:
Recent events may well cause those
who represent business interests TO rejoice
an their escape from threatened peril But
while they have abundant reason for re-
joicing and can view with the greatest
satisfaction the support they have given
the cause of sound money in tho contest
lately wuged against it, earnestly hope
that in this timo of congHtulaton it will
be remembered that constuut vigilancu
and continued effort are required TO even
maintain present conditions, but that ah-
soute safety will only be secured when
our financial system is protected by affirm
Ative and thorough reforms.
"When our business men arc hhbttunilY
alert and active, and when they arc, more.
over, fully aroused to the Importance Of
such Legislative action concerning onr
finances as business methods approve and
the welfare Of the entire country requires,
much good may bU confidently untci-
p,ted, not only in the accomplishment Of
practical results but in Lho removal of
hurtful preiudices, through an assurance
10 tho people that business and patriotism
are becoming more and more united.
Alexander II. Orr, president Of tho
Chamber of Commerce, complilnrntrd the
members on the work done in the last
campaign and upon ti.t victory won. lie
paid II glowing tribute to Generals Palmer
and Buckner and others who had vlgur-
ously opposed the Chicago platform and
ticket, and then said i'll part:
81 know, and freely admit, that very
many intelli gent men who by nature or
habit are careless and intii iferant may Inc
gravcly mistaken on almost amy subject,
but where questions of morals and tho
golden rule are involved an intelligent
man who claims the privilege of leader
ship and consCentiously examines down
Into the very roots Of things, rs in duty
bound he is obliged to do before he OK
presses an opinion, seldom goes wrong
uuless somo selfish or ulterior motive is
permitted to intervene to warp and twist
h; hat il tn .iI i,,b IL
breast the voice Of conscience ut tho ex-
panse of his manhood and hottest self ro-
spect."
The president thon introduced pn1tnas-
Ger General William L. Wilson, who re-
sponded to the toast, Free Government
Rn Trial" He said in part;
every general election in this country
ts trial of FREQ government, and not less
truly trial Of those institutions through
which we are attempting TO work out frce
government. If every now peril affects us
with new anxiety every new triumph juSti-
h8s added confidence in our Institutions
md renewed trust in the intelligence and
capacity of our people for self govern
ment We have Just had u test Of the r;t-
parity Of universal suffrage to deal with
the question so cunlesseily difficult that
In other countries it is committed to
Grained experts and specially educated
statesmen. That test has been made under
conditions Leash favorable to II safe and
eorrect Judgment, at time when it was
necessary to undo much erroneous teach
Ing, for which both political parties and
leading statesmen in both parties wero re-
bponsible, and amid widespread industrial
Btagnation that made the public mind u
ready seed bed for the gerIinatiuu Of
dangerous ideas
THAT the result has been triumph for
the national integrity is cause fer
thanksgiving, that the result has been
achieved by partial and temporary dis
solution Of party ties and tho hearty con
cert of forces irreconcillbly nntagonistic
pm other policies is ground for quickencd
patriotism and loftier pride in American
citizenship. 10 make forever safe the
traits Of such victory is now the duty
Ind responsibility of those to whom the
Initiative and power have come.
Strange as it may seem, the question
pf maintaining the financial integrity Of
the country. of keeping good faith in pub
lie and private dealings, was confused in
the minds of many citizens with the pol
icy Of defending II plutocracy, imaginary
pr real, whose interests were the interests
pf n class, and to that extent hostile to tho
Interests of the masses Of the people.
"This revelation cannot fail to convince
us that in the honest belief of section of
the voters is becoming fixed the idea that
government is SO admiui uistcred and lnws
hre so framed as to make unjust distribl-
bon of social benefits US to make more
Hitiicult tho upward path in life and tC
narrow the gateway Of opportunity for
HAT vast majority of youth, whose sole
dependence is individual merit and effort.
'lf we are TO escape in the future tho
rrics we huvo heard in this campaign Of
the power of plutocracy, of the classes and
Of the masses and antagunsn between
pnpital and labor and of the gulf between
the rich and the poor, all wrongs or abuses
that can breed and foster such ideas must
b. patiently and honestly obiterated.
1--WE must all admit that the entire body
OF our financial legislation for thirty
years has been q makeshift and q conces-
sion to mistaken ideas, that from such
concession and from dangerous dalying
with erroneous and dangerous idcas and
perverted education that has resulted
came the great peril we have SO fortunate
ly escaped For these mistakes all parties
and almost, if not ALL party leaders have
been responsible"
The next toast Social Discomfort"
was responded to by Governor John W.
Griggs, of New Jersey. Governor GriggJ
said in part;
MAY we not hope it is possible for US
10 minimize the danger We find in dlscon-
tent. The American people have not up
to date been fooled They are honest to
the core. The first remedy l would sug.
gcst, and 1t is ono that is being ever ap
piled and has been alluded to, is educa'
ton. Reduce the percentage of illiterncy
Let the public schools teach not only to
yead and write, but let the public schools