The San Francisco call., 1897-04-25
GROVER MAKES A
LITTLE SPEECH
'fPreSent Problems" His
Subject at a Club
Dinner.
Attributes Business Stagn alton
to the Policy of Pro-
lection.
Applause and Laughter Greet His
Remarks, Regardless Of Op-
portuneneSS.

NEW YORK, n. Y, April 24-Grover
Cleveland discussed "Present Problems"
at the tenth annual dinner of the Reform
Club tonight. Cleveland read his speech.
With his eyes glued to the manuscript
most of the time he delivered himself in
dreary monotone. frequently STUN bling at
polysyllables. He was in the house OF his
friends. however, and the 500 admirers
who crowded the banquet hall wildly ap-
plauded all of his utterances. The gallery
was crowded with ladies, among whom
were hrs. John G. Carlisle and Mrs.
Charles S. Fairchild. Cleveland said in
part:
We have gathered tonight as patriotic citi-
Gems, anxious TO do something toward rein
stating the perity of uur fellow-country-
men and protecting the fair name of our
country against shame and scandal. On every
side we are confronted with popular de-
preston and complaint. These conditions are
perhaps largely due to the work of agitators
and demagogues who have busily sown the
seeds OF discomfort IN order thatin the harvest
they might reap personal advantage.
While scattering the seeds of dlscontent
they have also cultivated the growth of Sec
tional and class suspicion and distrust, which
| threatens to choke or destroy that fraternal
feeling which leads to considerate counsel in
| the day of common misfortune, and which is
absolutely essential to the success of our plan
| of government.
The fundamental truth that our free instltu-
! tions offer opportunities to all within their
| influence fo- the advancement and improve
ment Of their condition has been SO far denied
that honest accumulation is called crime and
| necessity and habit of individual effort and
| struggle, whi ch are the mains prings OF sturdy
| Americanism, are deserted as unj njustifiable
| burdens, while unwholesome paternalism is
presented in handsome and inviting garb.
Cleveland traced these Influences to
their elimination in the demand for the
free coinage OF silver and continued:
Il was a rude awakening for the negligent
and overconfdent and day of terror for
sober and patriotic men, when the bold pro-
| moters OF this reckless creed captured the Or
ganzation of a powerful political party, and
seizIng its banners shouted defiance to the
astonished conscience 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 the party legends had been effaced.
Deliverance, however, came through the
action OF those who saw the trick and loved
the principles of their party too well to follow
its stolen banners in an attack upon those
National safeguards, which party as well as
patriotism should at all times defend.
The party placed in power as a result of this
splendid Democratic patriotism has failed to
meet its obligations to the peoples trust. Its
distinct campaign declaration was unre-
servedly in favor of sound money. The
country's pressing exigencies demanded
prompt and efficient action in the effort to
| place the Nations finances upon safe basis,
approved by the business judgment of the
land and secure from successful attack. In
nf odA 81 yha,,
this task the managers of the victorious
party-these professed champions of sound
finance-nave, before the eyes of an expectan
people, returned in hot haste to their wallow-
ing in the mire OF extreme protection, offend
ing millions of voters by their exhibition of
party bad faith ana disgusting millions more
by their uncon cealed determination to repay
partisan support from the proceeds of in
creased burdens Of taxation placed upon those
already overladen.
In the meantime the allied forces of calam-
ity, encouraged by these mslIgn conditions,
are still active and aggressive. They conf
IDENTIFY speak of the encounter in which thew
failed as only the "frst battle" and gladly
hail every untoward incident and eyery
added pretext for passion ana resentment as
new and welcome allies in the continuance of
the crusade.
began by saying that this was an assem-
blage for patriotic purposes. hope my SYM
pathy in its high aims will not be suspected
when confess that | have brought here
sturdy partisanship and devoted attachment
TO the principles of true Democracy. 1t is IN
i'm peachment Cf the intelligent members of
any political association 10 say that party
management and discipline should at all
times command implicit obedience, even
when such obedience leads to the abandon
ment and radical perversion of party prin-
ciples.
Those who believe q crisis is at hand can
hardly fail to see the party in power so Joined
to its idol of mad protection and so complete
ly doomed to popular condemna tion that it is
a useless instrument of defense against i'm
pending peril. The path of duty and the best
hope of safety lie in an immediate and
earnest attempt to accomplish the rehabilita-
ton and regeneration of the Democratic party
and its return to the principles of true
Democracy. The task is not easy, but it is
surely not hopeless. The work has already
been inaugurated by the creation of an Or
ganization founded upon the declaration of
Democratic principles so sound, clear and
patriotic that they should rally to their sup
port every true Democrat and supply the in
spiratian that forbids defeat.
Cleveland's reading was interspersed
with repeated cheers and laughter. much
of which was misplaced. The inoppor-
tuneness of this was so marked in one
case that Cleveland mildly chided the en-
thusiasts for laughing at solemn warn
ing.
Speeches were afterward made by Car
Isle and Wilson of Clevelands Cabinet
and by Chairman Bynum Of the National
Democracy. Carlisle scored the silver
propaganda, and the others attacked pro-
lection.