Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1902-06-25
PLEADS FOR UNITY.
Ex-President cleyeland's Speech
Before Tilden Club in New York.
Says This Is No Time to Call Harsh Names
or Adopt q System of Arbitrary
Prescription Ban
iShmenk.


New York, June 2O.-Former Pres
ident Cleveland, David B. Hill, Gov. A.
J. Montague, of Virginia, and Col.
CASTOR, of Boston, were the speak
ers at the opening of the new Tilden
club. William J. Bryan also received
an invitation to be present, but it
is said no response was received
from him. There was reception
and collation. in the main hall but
on the floor above there was a spe-
cial banquet for 20 guests. There
Mr.. Cleveland and Mr.. Hill met. The
speech-making, however, began be
fore the banquet. Leading democrats
in the city, state and nation were
present. In his address Mr.. Cleve-
land said:
I have been urged to participate in
this occasion by those who have as
sured me that this handsome structure
is to be dedicated to the rehabilitation
and consolidation of the democratic par
ty under the inspiration of a name which
during the days of democratic strength
and achievement was honOred in every
democratic household. Such an assurance
made to one who followed with hearty
devotion the leadership of Samuel J.
Tilden when living, and who has since
found in his career and fame the high
est incentive to democratic steadfast-
ness, could hardly fail to overcome the
temptations of my contented retirement
from political activity. Perhaps there
are those who could define my position
as one of Punishment instead of retire
meht.- Against this I shall not enter
protest: It is sufficient for me in either
case, that have followed in matters of
difference within our party the teach
ings and counsel of the great democrat
in whose name party-peace and harmony
are tonight invoked. No confession of
party sin should therefore be expected
of me- L have none to make; nor do
crave political absolution.
I am here to take counsel with others
protesting the same party faith, concern
ing the democratic situation. / suppose
we are all are convinced that this stu
alton might be improved; and some of
US may think it is periIously undermined.
Whatever the measure of its impairment
may be- Our condition as an organiza-
ton cannot be improved by calling each
other harsh names, nor by inaugurating
a system of arbitrary prescription and
Punishment; nor will any members OF
the party aid in its restoration to solvent
strength by angry insistence upon con-
tinuation Of the methods which have in
vited it's embarrassment.
The democratic party is very far from
political insolvency; but one here
should be offended by the suggestion that
its capital and prospects have suffered
serious injury since Mr.. Tilden was elect
ed president. Then and afterwards north
ern democratic states were not rare
curiosities, northern democratic Senator's,
now practically extinct, were quite nu-
merous, and northern democratic gov
errors, now almost never seen, were
frequently encountered. If this state
of impairment exists, an instant duty
presses upon the managers of the demo-
cratic establishment; and one which they
a. -
less prominent in the party-the rank
and file-are longing to be led through
old democratic ways to old democratic
victories. We were never more ready
to do enthusiastic battle than now If
we can only be marshaled outside the
shadow of predestined defeat. Is it too
much to ask our leaders to avoid paths
that are known to lead to disaster? Is it
too much to ask that proven errors be
abandoned, and that we be delivered from
a body of death, and relieved from the
burden of issues which have been killed
by the DEGREES of the American people?
Ought we not to be fed upon something
better than the husks of defeat?
Let US not forget that it is not in the
search of new and gaudy issues. nor in
the Interpretation of strange visions
that a strong and healthy democracy
displays it's splendid power. Another
party may thrive on the ever-shifting
treatment of the eVer-shifting moods of
popular restlessness, or by an insincere
play upon unreasoning prejudice and
selfish anticipation-but the democratic
party, never. Democracy has already in
store the doctrines for which it fights its
successful battles and it will have them
in store as long as the people are kept
from their own, and just as long as
their rights and interests are sacrificed
by inequality in government burdens; by
the encoura cement of huge industrial ag-
gregations that throttle individual enter
prises; by the reckless waste Of public
money; and by the greatest of all in
juries-as it underlies nearly all others
a system of tariff taxation whose rob-
bling exactions are far beyond the needs
of economical and legitimate government
expenditures, which purchases support by
appeals to sordidness and greed and
which continually corrupts the public
conscience.
My days of political activity are past
and I shall not hereafter assume to par
ticipate in party councils. am abso-
lutely content with retirement, but ]
still have one burning, anxious political
aspiration. I want to see before die
the restoration to perfect health and SUI
premacy of that democracy whose mission
is to bless the people-a democracy true
to itself. Uninterrupted by c1amor, unmoved
by the gusts of popular passions and
interrupted by offers of strange alliance
the democracy of patriotism, the de-
mocracy of safety, the democracy of Til
den, and the democracy that deserves
and wins success.