The Portland daily press., 1900-04-19
lnsinuates Party Has Strayed From
Reetitude.
Dinner Brooklyn Demo-
cratic Club.
Former Gov. Boies Also Writes
q Letter.


Democratic club gave dinner tonight
at the Germanis club to commem crate
the 18TH anniversary OF the birth OF
Thomas Jefferson. A. II. Eastmond,
the PRESIDENT presided, and about $50
persons wsrs present. At the guss to-
table were Hon. James E. Campben Of
Ohio; Hon. ]. J. wiiIett of Alabama
and other prominent public men.
Former President Grover Cleveland
sent . letter regretting his inability to
be present and expressing his opinion ON
the present Dsmoorscy.
The letter was a. follows:
Princeton, N. j., April -, 1900.
Louis r. Burohard, Esq. Chairman, Etc.:
Dear Sir--I regret that am unable to
accept your Invitation to attend the din
ner to te given by the Brooklyn Demo-
catic club on the 18th inst. to oommsmo-
rate the blrtn Of Thomas Jefferson.
When those who profsss the Democratic
faith meet TO cslebrats the birth Of the
man who first gave that faith distinct
formulation, their pride In the achieve
ments and triumphs Of the party which
he founded, should not entirely displaee
all thought Of Its present situation and
the conditions which, In the light Of sx-
periencs appear to be essential to Its sue
cess.
Though the faults Of the party In power
are many and though Its offsnsss against
the political health and safety Of the
country are fagrant. these things sheuid
not encourage us to base an expectation
Of success and a hope for the rsstpra alton
Of wholesome administrAtion upon tbs
shortcomings Of our advsrsarisG We
should too well understand their ability
to attach to their fortunes the powerful
contingent Of selfish interests to place
confident reliance upon the weakness
which ought to be the penalty Of their
mis-deeds.
Besides, none of us can close our eyes
to the fact, that the Democratic party 10
only formidable In its own strength. Its
power TO. win Victories has always been
found to dspend upon sturdy and con-
sistent adherence t. Its time honorsd
principles which have proved sufficient to
meet every emergency Of our national
life. Whatever successes may have at
tended party Of opportunity, with sails
spreadfor every transient breeze Of popular
sentiment or excitement, experience has
abundantly demonstrated that democracy
when courageous In the right and only
victorious when Its foroes are marshallsd
under Its old and well recognized stand
ards.
Our principles are so simple, and they
accord 80 well with the honest American
dispesition which loves freedom and cares
for the public welfare. that they are east :
ly understood by the Dem ooratio masses.
As result OF this, there has never been
time when false leadership Of our party
and q departure from simple Democratic
faith, have not been quickly discovered
aud ruthlessly rebuked by listless sup
port, prom ,unoed detection and bitter de-
feat. These consequences have thus far
been so inevitable, that the lessons they
teach cannot be oisregarded without in
vlting calamity.
The healthfulness Of our parry may well
be questioned when 1t shrinks from such
an examination Of Its position as will en-
able 1t to avoid disaster, by keeping in q
course Of safety, under the guidance Of
true democracy. Therefore, those who
claim to be followers Of Thomas Jsffsr-
son, will fail to discharge . solemn duty,
II, In this time Of doubt and temptation,
they neglect such an examiaation; and
II this discloses tendency In party con-
troll to subordinate the principles of true
Democracy and to distrust their conquer
ing power then conditions should not
continue without brave and early Dem
ooratic protest.
have addressed these words to feilsw
Democrats, In the full consciousness that
l am far removed from any influence in