The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-26
GROWERS PLANT.
The Ex-Presfdent Makes His
First Speech
Since Retiring From Office
Before the Reform Club.
HE is DISAPPOINTED
By the Conduct of the New
Administration.
Apparently He Didn't Believe
Mckinley Meant 1t.

Waldorf was a notable gathering. Rep |
resentative men from all parts of the |
United States who played a prominent
part in the recent campaign of the gold
Democrats, were present 1t was the |
first occasion on which eX-PreSident |
Cleveland has delivered a public speech
since his retirement from office
When the list of invited guests was !
made public it was generally under /
stood that the speech which would be
delivered would in large measure in
dictate the policy of the gold wing of the
Democratic party in the next presiden-
tial campaign.
Five hundred and eight persons sat
down to the feast. They were distribut-
ed about the large tables.
Ex-President Cleveland was cheered
when he arose to speak on Present
Problems" He spoke as follows:
I'VE are gathered here tonight as
patriotic citizens, anxious to do some
thing toward reinstati the prosperity
of our fellow countrymen and protect
ing the fair fame of our nation, against
shame and scandal on every side.
I'VE are confronted with popular de-
preston and complaint. These are
largely due to causes of natural and
certain recurrence, 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 dis
content, in order that in the harvest
they may reap personal advantage.
Distressing ills, real and Imaginary,
presented to the minds of honest men
that they are tempted to accept with
out taking counsel of reason or judg-
ment, any nOStrum cunningly offered as
a remedy for their low condition.
But even so promising field as this
has not satisfied the designs of ruth
less agitatOrs. While scattering the
seeds of discomfort, they have also Gull
tivated a growth of sectional and class
suspicion and distrust, which threatens
to choke or destroy that fraternal feel
ing which leads to cOnsiderate counsel
in the day of common misfortune, and
which is absolutely essential to the sue
cess Of our plan of government.
The fundamental truth that our free
institutions offer opportunities to all
within their influence for the advance
ment and Improvement of their condi-
ton, has been so far denied that honest
accumulation is called crime, and the
necessity and habit OF individual effort
and struggle, which are the mainsprings
of sturdy Americanisn1, are described as
unjustifia BILE burdens, which unWhOle-
some paternaliSm is presenting in hand
some and inviting garb-
Those enlisted in the crusade of dis
content and passion, prOclaiming them
selves the friends of the people, exclude
from the list all their cOuntrymen ex-
cept those most fortunate as unreaSOn-
able and those whom they themselves
have made the most discontinued and
credulous.
"These forces and conditions have for
years with greater or less distinction
ing effective organization and cOncen-
tration neglected by those who depre-
ciated their existence and UNDECIDED even
by those who partially appreciated
their dangerous tendencies.
In the meantime there had laid in
wait behind them all, an impatient
power ready to marshal them in effec-
tive activity, when depression, mlSfor-
tune, neglect and passion had done
their work. This power. born of SOrdid
greed, and maintained by selfish inter
eae-H n izlT ami n At Ia Gf
assumed command and has largely re-
cruited its waiting forces by infiaming
those inclined to be patient with tales
of an ancient crime against their rights
to be avenged, encouraging the turbu-
lent with hints of greater license, offer
ing a smooth road to wealth and to
those in debt a plan for payment, and
to those who from any cause are I'M
fortunate and discouraged, a remedy
for all their ills, the free and unlimited
and independent coinage of silver at
the ratio of 16 to 1, with a deprecated
currency and cheap money.
TT was a rude awakening for the
negligent and overconfident and day
of terror for sober and patriotic men,
when the bold promoters of this reck-
less greed captured the organization of
a powerful political party, and Selling
it's banners, shouted defiance to the as
tonished conscience and conservatism
of the country
Hosts of heonst men, in blind 10y
atty gathered behind the party flag
they had been accustomed to follow,
failing to discover that their party
legends had been effaced. None can
forget the doubt and fear of that bOis-
ferrous and passionate campaign, when
the fate of the nation seemed in the
balance. The danger of the situation
arose from the impulse of those whose
misfortunes had been cruelty played
upon, and from the enthusiasm of I'M
questioning, thoughtless party fealty.
THE delfverance came through the
action of those who saw the trick and
loved the principles of their party too
we'll to follow its stolen banners in an
attack upon those national safeguards,
| which party as well patriotism at
all times should defend.
Though the first engagement result
ed in the defeat of the com bined forces
| of dangerous and unwholesome poll
| cies. a survey of the field is by no
| means reaSsuring.
THE party placed in power as the re-
| suit of splendid Democratic patriotism
/ has failed to meet the obligations of
/ the peoples trust. It's distinct cam
paign declaration that it was unreserv-
| eddy in favor of sound money, the char
acter and controlling effectiveness of
the support it gained on the faith of
| that declaration, the universal conces-
sion that the conflict on financial theOr-
| les constituted the issue which was
| passed upon by the suffrage of the peo-
| pie and the country's pressing exigen-
| cies and needs all demanded prompt
| and efficient action by the party en-
! trusted with power, in an effort to
| place our nations finances, adjusted to
| every popular need, upon a safe and
| sure basis, approved by the business
| judgment of the land and secure from
| successful attack because defended by
a majority of the thoughtfully honest
! men Of all parties.
/ Instead, however, of addressing
themselves to this task, the managers
| and representatives of this victorious
party, these professed champions of
| sound finance, have, before the eyes of
an expectant people, returned in hot