Evening star., 1897-04-26
MIR. CLEVELAND TO DEMOCRATS.
| Regeneration of the Party Urged
Republican Course Blamed.

Republican Course Blamed.
Ex-President Grover Cleveland, members
of his late cabinet and a number of others
prominent in the ranks of the sound money
democracy were the guests at a banquet
given at the Waldorf in New York Satur-
day night. Over 500 people sat down to
the feast, which was as elaborate an af-
fair as the chef of the Waldorf could make
it.
Ex-Reprcsentative John De Witt Warner
presided at the banquet and the first set
speech was made by Mr.. Cleveland. who
responded to the toast Present problems"
Responses to other toasts were made as
follows: Ex-Secretary John G. Carlisle,
Sound currency; ex-Secretary William L..
Wilson, Tariff REFORM Edward NJ. Shep-
ard, Municipal administration William
d. Bynum, The national democracy; ii.
G. Turner, Georgia, The political outlook -
Josiah Patterson, Tennessee, Andrew
Jackson and the restoration of the gold
currency" There was also toast entitled
The new SOUTH to which Senator Caffery
of Louisiana responded.
Mr.. Cleveland began his speech by say
ing that he and his hearers were gathered
patriotic citizens anxious to do some
thing toward reinstating the prosperity of
their feilow-countrymen. He continued:
ION every side We are confronted with
popular depression and complaint. These
are largely due to causes of natural and
certain recurrence as the inevitable ac-
compartment of all human endeavor, and
perhaps they are as largely due TO the
work of agitators and demagogueS who
have busiy sowed the seeds of discomfort
in order that in the harvest they may
reap personal advantage. Distressing ills,
real and imaginary, have been so con-
staEtly and luridly presented to the minds
of honest men that they tempted to
accept, without taking counsel of reason
or judgment, any nostrum cunningly Of
fered a remedy for their low condition..
h., Ayril hat
ened the country's honor in the late po-
itical campaign, he continued:
Though the first engagement resulted
in the defeat of the combined forces of
dangerous and unwholesome policies,
survey of the field is by no means reassur
ing. The party placed in power as the re-
suit of splendid democratic patriotism has
failed to meet the obligations of the peo-
pies trust. Its distinct campaign declara-
ton that it was unreservedly in favor of
sound money, the character and controlling
effectiveness of the support it gained on
the faith of that declaration, the univer-
sal concession that conflict of financial
theories constituted the issue which was
passed upon by the suffrages of the peo-
pie. and the country's pressing exigencies
and needs. all demanded prompt and eff
cient action by the party intrusted with
power in an effort to place our nations
finances, adjusted to every popular need,
upon safe and sure basis, approved by
the business Judgment of the land, and
cure from successful attack because de-
Tended by majority of the thoughtfully
honest men of all parties.
Instead however, of addressing them
selves to this task, the managers and rep
resentatives of this victorious party, these
professad champions of sound finaEce,
have, before the eyes of eXpectant peo-
pie, returned in hot haste to their wallow-
ing in the mire of extreme protection, Of
Tending millions of voters by their exhibit
tion of a partys bad faith, and disgusting
h1y hnir alaj latA
mlnatlon to repay partisan support from
the proceeds of increased burdens of taxa
ton placed upon those already overladen.
'In the meantime, the allied forces Of
calamity. encouraged by these malign con-
oitions, are still active and aggressive.
They confidently speak of the encounter
in which they failed of success as only the
first battle and gladly hail every unto
ward incident and every added preteXt for
passion and resentment as new and wei
come allies in the continuance of their cru
sade.
''Those who believe that a crisis is at
hand can hardly fail to see that the party
in power is Joined to its idol of mad
protection. and is completely doomed
to popular condemnation that it is use
less instrument Of defense against the i'm
pending peril
Il do not fear that shall be accused of
sinister designs untitled to the atmosphere
of this occasion If l insist that the path of
duty and the best hope of safety lie in an
Immediate and earnest attempt to accom-
plish the rehabilitation and regeneration of
the democratic party and its return to the
principles of true democracy. In a large
part of the country, where financial error
is most general, the democratic name can
best arouse the political sentiment of the
people; and there, as everywhere in our
land, the people can be trusted to arrive
at a correct conclusion if they have ade-
quate opportunity for examination and in
formation"