The San Francisco call., 1896-07-05
Land of the Free and Home of
the Brave Glorifed in
Song.
CLEvELAND's NOTE OF REGRET.
A "Sound Money" Argument, Which
Is Ably Seconded by Senator
D. B. Hill.

NEW YORK, n. Y, July 4.-The Fourth
of July was great day in Tammany 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 glorifying the land of the free, the
home of the brave, and silver-tongued ora
tors were listened to and applauded by an
audience that packed Tammany Hall TO
the doors.
Letters of regret were received from
President Cleveland. Senator David B..
Hill and others. President Cleveland,
after regretting his inability to be present,
said in his letter:
The situation that confronts the country
ard the Democratic party invests with unusual
impressiveness this commemoration OF our
beginning as a nation. When, as appropriate
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 none
tary laws that control national health and
vigor, aud 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 q jealous
preservation of financial soundness and q
CdIelul Iud4AlCudlACS VI OHSuSpSSlSO POSlAS
credit.
The high and firm financial ground which
we have thus far been able to hold should not
be abandoned in the pursuit of policy never
attempted without National injury and whose
bright promise of individual benefit has never
been fulfilled. If there is anything in present
conditions that impeaches experience and in
dicates that we can safely change our present
high financial standard for the free, unlimited
aDd iDdappndpOt pniOGpa of oliver thew Shnnld
be made plainly apparent before such radi-
cal departure finds place in party creed.
The tremendous consequences of a mistake
in dealing with the financial question now
pressed upon US as Democrats should con-
stantly make us thoughtful and solicitous. 1
am confident, therefore, that the voice of
the Tammany Society, always potent in party
counsel. will not fail to be heard in warning
and protest on an occasion which especially
inspires patriotism and at time when the
fluctuations of our people appropriate to Inde-
pendence day are mingled with apprehension.
Senator Hill wrote as follows:
Having been commissioned by the Democ-
racy OF the State to attend as one of their dele
gates the approaching National Convention at
Chicago, find myself unable TO accept your
courteeus invitation. However, few sugges-
tions pertinent to the present crisis may be
deemed appropriate.
1t is the duty OF the Democratic party at the
present hour TO adhere more formally than
ever to its well-established usages and to vig-
orously maintain its cardinal principles.
Any departure for purposes of expediency at
this time, from either its usages or its prin-
ciples, is fraught with danger.
Its usages are found in the rules and proceed
ings of its National Conventions from time i'm
memorial, and patriotism well as good policy
requires that no perilous experiment should
now be attempted by their abrogation.
Senator Hill then briefly summaries the
party's creed, and in conclusion adds that
a substantial departure from these senti-
ments and policies will surely invite dis
aster in Nation and State, while faithful
adherence to them will pave the way to
deserved success