Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-05
TAMMANY BURNED RED FIRE
By the Light of Which it Read Letters
From President Cleveland and
Senator Hill.

New York, July As usual the
Fourth of July was a great day in Tam
many hall. Politics were for the nonce
laid aside and patriotism had the call.
The social side of the Tammany society
or Columbian order made itself manifest
in speech and song clarifying the land
of the free and the home of the brave,
and silver-tongued orators were listen
ed to and applauded by an audience that
packed Tammany hall to the doors.
Letters of regret were received from
President Cleveland and Vice President
Stevenson, Senator David b. Hill, Sec
rotary of State Olney, Secretary of the
Interior Hoke Smith, Rufus w. Peck
ham, Senator William f. Villas of Wis
consin, Hon. Don. M. Dickinson, Hon.
]. E. Russell of Massachusetts, Secre-
tary of the Navy Herbert, Governor
OFerrall of Virginia, Hon. Chauneey
F; Black, Ex-Governor Flower aen ri
Waterson, Senators James Smith or
New Jersey and ]. L. Mitchell of Wis
consln and many Others
President Cleveland, after regretting
his inability to be present, said in his
letter: THE situation that confronts
the country and the democratic party at
this time invests with unusual i'm
pressiveness this commemoration of our
beginning as nation. When, as appro-
pirate to the occasion, our StupendouS
advancement is recalled, the fact should
not be overlooked that our progress has
not been by chance, but Is the result of
a wise observance of the monetary laws
that control national health and vigor,
and, while we contemplate with pride
the commanding place we occupy among
the nations of the earth, we should not
forget that this has been gained only
through a jealous preservation OF imam
cials soundness and q careful mantle
~ tQd credit
1.-THE high and firm financial ground
which we have thus far been able to hold
should not be abandoned in the pursuit
of a policy never attempted without ma
tional injury, and whose bright promise
of individual benefit has never been full
filled.
IF there is anything in present condf-
lions that impeach and experience and
indicates that we can safely change our
present high financial standard Tor the
free, unlimited and Independent coinage
of silver, this should be made plainly APP
parent before such a radical departure
finds place in party creed.
1.-The tremendous consequences or a.
mistake in dealing with the financial
question now pressed upon US as demo-
Gratis should constantly make US Thought
full and solicitous. l am confident, there-
fore, that the voice of the Tammany So
ciety, always potent in party council,
will not fail to be heard in warning ana
protest and at a time when the feHeita-
lions of our people appropriate to indie
pendence day are mingled with apprehen-
sion"
Senator Hill wrote as follows: HAY
ing been commissioned by the democracy
of the state to attend as one of their deli
egates to the approaching national con-
vention at Chicago, l find myself unable
to accept your courteous invitation.
"A few suggestions pertinent to the
present crisis may be deemed approprl-
ate.
TT is the duty of the democratic party
at the present hour to adhere more firm
ly than ever to it's we'll established
usages and to vigorously maintain its
cardinal principles.
ANY departure for the purposes of ex-
pediency at this time from either its
usage or it's principles is fraught with
danger Its usages are found in the rules
and proceedings of it's national conven-
lions from time immemorial and patriot
ism, as we'll as good policy, requires that
no perilous experiment should now be
attempted by their abrogation."
Senator Hill then briefly summarizes
the partys creed and in conclusion adds
that substantial departure from these
sentiments and policies will surely invite
disaster in nation and states, while faith
full adherence to them will pave the way
, to deserved success.