The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-04-26
SOUND MONEY.
The Text For a Speech Made By
Grover Cleveland.

New York, April 24.-The annual din
ner of the Reform club which was given
tonight in the new ball room of the
Hotel Waldorf was one of the most nota-
BILE gatherings of its kind thst has been
held in this city. Representative men
from all parts of the United States, who
played prominent part in the recent
campaign of the gold standard Demo-
Gratis, we've present and it was also the
first occasion on which ex-President
Grover Cleveland delivered public
speech. John De Witt Warner presided.
At his right sat ex-President Cleveland
and at his left was ex Postmaster General
Vim. &. Wilson.
Tx President Cleveland was loudly
cheerea when he arose in response to the
toast Present problems He spoke in
part as follows: 1--WE are gathered here
tonight as patriotic citizens, anxious TO
do something towards reinstating tho
prosperity OF our felloW-countrymen and
protecting the fame Of our nation against
shame and scandal. On every size we
are confronted with popular depression
and complaint. They are largely due to
causes of natural and certain recurrence,
as the inevitable accom- apartment OF all
human endeavor and perhaps they are as
largely due to the work OF agitators and
demagogues who have busily sowed the
seeds OF discomfort, in order that in tie
harvest they may reap personal advant-
ages. Distressing ills, real aud imaglIl-
airy, have been so constantly aud luridly
presented to the minds of honest men,
that they are tempted to accept without
taking counsel OF reason or Judgment,
any nostrum cunniDgly offered a. a
remedy for their low condition. The
truth that our fres institu-
tions offer opportunities TO all within
tEeir influence for the advancement aud
of their conditions has been
SO far denied that honest accumulation Is
called crime and the necessity and
habit of individual effort and struggle,
which are the Inainsprings of sturdy
Amerioanism, arc described rs unjusti-
fable burdens, while unwholesome
paternalism is presented in handsome
and inviting garb.
"This power, born of sordid greed and
maintained by selfish interest and par.
tisan ambition, has at last assumed COM
maDd and has largely recruited its forces
by infaIning those inclined to he patient
with tales OF an ancient crime against
their rights to be avenged by encouraging
the restless and turbulent with hints OF
greater license and by Offering to the poor
as smooth road to wealth, and to those
in debt as plan for easy payment and
to those who from any cause are unfor-
tunate and discouraged as remedy for
oil their ills, the free and unlimited and
independent coinage of silver at the rate
of 10 to !, with q deprecated currency
and cheap money.
sit was rude awakening for the negli-
gent and oyer-confident ana day of ter
cor for sober and patriotic men, when the
bold promoters of this reckless creed,
captured the organization of powerful
political party ana selling it's banners
shouted defiance TO the astonished con-
science and conservatism of the country
Hosts of honest men, in blind loyalty,
gathered behind the party flag they had
been accustomed to follow, failing to dis
cover that their party legends had been
etfaced.
Though the first engagement resulted
in the defeat of the com hined fvrces of
dangerous and unwholesome policies, a
survey Of the. field is by 10 means reas-
surfing. The party placed in power rs
the result of splendid Democratic patriot
ism, has failed to meet the obligations
of tue peoples trust. Its distinct cam
paign declaration that 1t wan unreserVed-
ly in favor of sound money, the character
and controlling effectiveness of the sup
port it gained and the faith of that de-
claration. demanded prompt and efficient
activity by the party entrusted with
power, in an effort to place our nations
france adjusted to every popular need
upon a safe and sure basis.
Instead, however, of addressing them
selves to this task. the managers and
representatives Of this victorious party.
these professed champions of sound
finance, have, Eefors the eyes Of an ex-
psctant people, returned in hot haste to
their wallowing in the mire Of extreme
protection, offending millions of voters
by their exhibition Of a pafty's bad faith
and disgusting millions moro by their
nnconocaled determination to repay par
tisan support from the proceeds OF in.
creased burdens Of taxation placed upon
those already oyerladen.
In the meantime the allied forces of
calamity, encouraged by these malign
conditions are still active and aggressive.
They confidently speak OF the en-
counter in which they failed Of succesn
as only the first battle and gladly hail
every untoward incident ana every added
pretext for passion and prssentment as
new and welcome allies in the contin-
fuance of their crusade. They are unwill-
.ingly wicked and stupid who believe
that disaster waits upon the ascendency
CT thoEe forces and yet turn away from
thu plain evidence of their dangerous
strength. l have ventured 10 speak OF
the political creed and organization of
my attachment, as true Democracy. The
people TO whom it acknowledges a duty
are no more confined to any station In
life than to any section OF the country.
1t enjoins the utmost personal liberty
consistent with peace and order; above
all things, true Democracy insists that
the money of the peopls should re sound
ami stable, neither shriyeling In purchas-
ing power in the hands of the poor, nor
by its uncertain value driving enterprise
and productive energy into hiding.
Those who believe that crisis is at
hand can hardly fall to see shat the party
in power is SO joined to its idol OF mad
protection that it is a useless instrument