The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-08
WILL HOLD DEBATES
TOPICS OF THE DAY WILL BE DIS
CUSSED AT JEFFERSON CLUB
MEETINGS
MARCH MEETING LAST NIGHT

Address of the Evening Was DeIIv-
cred by M. j. Costello, Who Paid
an Eloquent Tribute to Samuel
j. TfIden-Meetinc Was Largely
Attended and an Interesting Pro-
gramme Carried Out.
The regular March meeting of the
Jefferson club was held last evening
In their club rooms in the Arrol block.
with Judge John w. Willis presiding.
Letters Of regret were read from A. T.
Ankney, OF Minneapolis, and Humphrey
Barton, chairman of the Democratic
city and county organization.
M. j. Costello, in his address, paid
an eloquent tribute to the noble states
man and staunch Democratic cham
pion. Samuel j. Tilden, speaking sub
stantially as follows:
THE task assigned me by this ciub-to
speak Of The Life and Public Services of
Samuel J. Tilden-is one to which l am
free to confess myself inadequate.
1T was my very great privilege to know
the great man Of whom l am to speak 1
watched his matchless career. felt the in
spiration Of his teachings. He was states
man, thinker, and, to my mind, an orator
OF the first rank. He was a most ardent dis
ciple of the great political philosopher after
WnOm this club is named.
His political characteristics are, perhaps,
best illustrated by his course in private life.
He said that he deemed 1t the duty of every
man to devote to thought and study upon
problems of government almost as much
time and attention as was given to his prf-
vate business. Mr.. Tilden always acted upon
this principle. He was interested in public
affairs, not for the purpose Of self advance
ment, for he was ever reluctant to accept
public station. He meditated upon politics to
inform himself as patriotic citizen should
for the purpose of throwing his influence In
telligently and faithfully in support Of good
government.
Mr. Tilden was thoroughly imbued with
Jeffersonian principles. True always to prin-
ciple, he sometimes found that consistency
required him to oppose the so-called .regu-
lar organization of his party. He Joined
Martin Van Buren, In opposing the extension
of human slavery. He believed with Jeffer-
son that there was no legitimate place for
a slave under democratic institutions. When
subserviency to party discipline required
seeming acquiescence in policy that would
extend slavery to the territories of the United
States, he did not hesitate to lend his aid to
the Free Soil movement.
His example may we'll be needed In our
day While he became wealthy, very wealthy,
he never formed any political alliance with
fast defender of the rights Of the common
people. True always to the federal consti-
tuition, he sustained Andrew Jackson in his
measures for the discontinue of the nullif1-
of the people. he upheld the war waged by
Jackson against monopoly, as represented
by the United States bank. Mr.. Tilden's
wealth never made him slave to the money
power. In advocating the rights Of the peo-
pie, he was often compelled to oppose combi-
nations designed to confer special privileges
upon banking corporations. In discussing
the proposition that the success of Democracy
meant disaster to the business interests of
the country Mr.. Tiden said:
We seek to arrest system Of monop-
n a0i of and oy,fa oil
interference Is disastrous to business. as it's
tendency II fatal to our whole social and po-
litical fabric We do not not assail prop
erty. We simply deny it political power. We
excite no prejudices against wealth. we
merely refuse to 1t exclusive privileges, either
in business or politics. We claim an equality.
rights.
when Mr.. Tilden was nominated for presi-
dent of the United States in 1876, he may be
eminent position in federal politics. Now
that the passions of that day have been
stilled: no one who possesses the instincts
conduct in the trying days of a disputed cleo
ton. was marked by philosophy, courage and
sublilntty. He might have precipitated
rising in his behalf The country could have.
been plunged into bloody strife, had he but
declared that he was ready to accept the ar
bftrant of war upon hts claim to the presi-
deney.
THE national convention of 1880 not only
missed a grand opportunity, but disgraced
the Democratic party by falling to renoTni-
THE letter in which Mr. Tilden Withdrew
from candidacy before that convention is a
litical truth 1t contains an arraignmen't Of
ttcse who committed the great crime of
1876 condemned the wrongful installation
Of one no. elected to the presidency and made
an eloquent plea for the freedom and fair
ness of elections and the preservation of self
government.
lad reason to regret that it failed to vindi-
cate one of its greatest leaders and to en-
rhasize the great idea so eloquently advo-
Gated by Samuel ]. Tilden-the safeguarding
of the ballot.
1--WE may derive valuable lesson from the
course Of Mr.. Tilden in always determining
OF expediency but that of truth. His aim
was to find and to follow. not that which
popular but that which was founded
upon the basis of eternal right.
ITO the American citizen who believes that
this country should be the asylum and the
home of all who seek shelter from despotism
hope that. in spite of set-backs and discour
agement the doctrines of jefferson will
always claim the adherence of great and gift
ed minds and that the cause of liberty how
ever disdained by those possessing the power
and prestige of wealth, will never perish. So
long as the memory of Tilden survives it
will serve monument to the glory of
the Democratic party and a safeguard of
our political institutions
Mr.. Costello closed his address, which
was received with much favor by quot
ing the poem written by the poet Whit
tier, on the occasion of Mr.. Tildens
demise.
John E. Stryker reported that the
executive council had decided to hold
a series of debates and that the sub
ject was to be chosen by the club
After some discussion it was decided
to hold the first debate two weeks from
last night, Tuesday, March 81. upon
the question: Should public taxation
be levied upon land values alone with
out regard to improvements thereon?'
1t was moved and carried that the
chair and secretary be appointed a
committee to complete arrangements
and select speakers to lead the discus
sion, after which the question should
be thrown open to any who might care
to participate. 1t was also carried that
the members Of the legislature should
be invited and requested to speak on
the subject.
WHITNEY AND REM