Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-04-29
Mr.. cleveland on "rressnt rroDIems.o


ing on future political campaigns in
this country, was the annual dinner of
the Reform Club of New York City.
given at the Hotel Waldorf, last Satur-
day night. Over five hundred Demo-
Gratis of national prominence attended,
and the dinner was followed by an in
formal meeting, at which steps were
taken 10 inaugurate movement to
bring the national organization of the
Democratic party back to its former
attitude With respect to the Issues of
sound money and currency reform.
3 And the character and prominence of
Z the men engaged in this movement are
such as to Justify tie most sanguine
hopes that they will succeed in their
great mission.
The speeches that attended the din
ner were thoroughly Democratic. Ex-
President Grover Cleveland spoke first
on Present Problems. y Elk Secretary
of the Treasury John 6. Carlisle fol.
lowed with practical address on
Sound Currency. FIX Postmaster
4 General William L. Wilson's topic was
Tariff Reform" The others were
Municipal Administration, Edward
nj. Shepard; 1.-THE New South, -
Senator Donelson Caffrey; "National
Democracy, William d. Bynum
1.-THE Political Outlook" Henry G.
Turner; "Andrew jackson and the
Restoration OF the Gold Currency, -
Josiah Patterson.
Mr.. Cleveland's speech was able aud
patriotic. He Haid
We are gathered here TO- night as
patriotic citizens, anxious to do some
/ thing toward reinstating the prosperity
of our llow-countrymen and protect.
ing the fair name of our nation against
shame ard scandal. On every side we
are confronted with popular depression
and complaint. These are largely due
to caunes of natural and certain recur
renee, as the inevitable accompaniment
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 the harvest they may
reap personal advantage. Distressing
ills. zeal and imaginary, have been so
constantly and luridly presented to the
minds of honest men that they are
tempted to accept without taxing
counsel OF reason or Judgment any
nostrum cunningly offered as remedy
of their low condition. But even SC
promising field as this has not salts
fed the designs of ruthless agitatorH.
While scattering the seeds of discon-
10 thar. have ole Ifi nte,l o, 1,
of sectional and class suspicion and
distrust, which threatens to choke OIL
destroy that fraternal feeling which
leads TO considerable counsel in the da,
of common misfortune, and which i,
absolutely essential to the success o.
our plan of government. The funda
mental truth that our free institution
offer opportunities TO all within theii
influence for the advancement and I'M
provement of their condition has beer
so far denied that it is called d crime
and the necessity of the habit of in
dividual effort and struggle, which arr
the mainspringe of sturdy American
ism, are decried as unjustifiable bur
dens, while unwholesome paternalisn
Is presented in handsome and invitinl
garb.
Those enlisted in this crusade o
discomfort and passion, proclaiminl
themselves the friends of the people
exclude from that list all their country
men, except those most unfortunate 0
unreasonable, and those whom the
themselves have made the most dis
contented and credulous.
These forces and conditions have 70
years, with greater or less distinct
ness, lowered about our national life
lacking effective organization and con
centratiOn, neglected by those VIII
deprecated their existence and uu
needed even by those who partial
appreciated their dangerous tendency
In tho meantime there has laid in wal
behind them ali an impatient power
ready to marshal them in etfectiy
activity when depression. misfortune
neglect and passion had done thei
work. This power, born of sordid gree
and maintained by selfish interest an
partisan ambition, has at last assume
command, and has largely recruited il
waiting forces by inflaming those il
clined to be patient with tales OF a
ancient crime against their rights (
be avenged. by encouraging the res
less and turbulent with hints Of create
license, and by Offering TO the poor
iu debt as plan for easy paymen
and to those who, from any cause. al
unfortunate and discouraged, as
remedy for all their ills the free az
unlimited and independent coinage
silver at the ratio of l6 to /, with
depreciated currency and cheap none,
1t was a rude awakening for Il
negligent and over confident, and dt
of terror for sober and patriotic mel
when the bold promoters of this rec
less creed captured the organization
powerful political party. and, seizir
lts banners, shouted defiance to Il
astonHhed conscience and conserv
tism of the country. Hosts of hone
men in blind loyalty gathered hehir
the party flag they had been accu
tnmed to follow, falling TO discover th
their party legends had been efface
None can forget the doubt and fear
that boisterous and passionate car
paign, when the fate of the natl,
seemed in the balance. The danger
the situation arose from the hasty il
pulse of those whose misfortunes h
been cruelty played upon, and from Il
enthusiasm of unquestioning, though
less party featy. The dsIiverance car
through the action of those who 81
the trick and loved the principles
their party too we'll to follow its sto
banners in an attack upon tho
national safeguards which party
well as patriotism should at ali tim
defeud
Though the first engagement result