The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-06-20
THE DEMOCRATS
HAVE CELEBRATION
New Tilden Club Building Is Ded.
icated With Great
Pomp.
CLEVELAND THE SPEAKER
Bryan Absent - Cleveland and
Hill Meet as Old Friends
Many Prominent Men
Are Present.

NEW YORK, June l9.--Demoeratie
unity was the keynote :onigl: Of the
great gathering Of representative
Democrats who had come 10 attend the
opening OF the handsome new quar-
ters of the Tilden Club. Addresses
were made by the prominent Demo-
Gratis and afterwards luncheon was
served in the banquet hall to the dis
tinguished guests OF the evening
and a buffet supper was afterwards
served in the basement for the RANK
and file. 10 Democrats, the even:
was one OF the most memorial for
many a day. as Grover Cleveland and
David b. Hill met in harmony, seeking
to draw the two factions Of their
party together. 1t was the first poll
tical public pTearance of the express
sion In five years. w"'- bryan
had been invited to attend. though not
to speak. but no reply was received
from him. Cleveland had scarcely
gotten into the building when ex-San-
ator David b. Hill came In. Mr. HIlrs
eye caught Mr.. Cleveland as soon as
he entered the spacious club foyer
and a moment later they were coIdi-
ally shaking each others hand. A
loud and prolonged applause greeted
the two men as they entered the as
sembly room.
President Downing OF the club in
Introducing ex-President Cleveland
said:
greatest of living Democrats There
was tremendous applause as Mr..
Cleveland ascended the small plat
form. At the point in his speech
where Mr.. Cleveland announced his
absolute retirement from politics, the
crowd yelled. No. no, nol'
Senator David b. Hill, who spoke
next, received almost as AN enthusiasts
| tic applause as Cleveland. Hill on
cluded his speech with a welcome to
the Democrats from other state say
ing:
Democracy of this state welcomes
the distinguished citizens of New Jer-
sey, only living ex-president of the
United States. We should have been
glad to welcome that other distin-
guished Democrat who halls from the
great West, our standard bearer in the
last two presidential campaigns--that
able and eloquent Democrat William
Jennings Bryan, of Nebraska, had he
been able TO be present on this oc-
casion"
In glowing words of tribute to the
memory of the late Samuel J. Til
den and his party, the Hon. ex-Presi-
dent, Grover Cleveland, delivered The
following address before the members
of the Tilden Club:
/ have been urged TO participate
in this occasion by those who have
assured me that this handsome struc-
ture is to be dedicated tonight by the
rehabilitation and consolidation of the
Democratic party under the inspira-
ton of name which during the days
of Democratic strength and achieve
ment was honored by every Democratic
household. Such an assura Ice made
to one who followed with hearty de-
votion the leadership Of Samuel ]. Til
den when living and who las since
found in his career and fame the high
er incentive to Democratic steadfast-
ness. could hardy fail to overcome the
of my retired contansment
from political activity, Perhaps there
are those who would define my posi-
tion as one of Punishment instead of
retirement. Against this shall not
enter a protest, 1t is sufficient for me
in either case tha. have followed
in matters of difference within our
party the teachings and counsel of
the great Democrat in whose rame
party peace and harmony are tonight
invoked No confession of party sin
should therefore be expected of me,
l have ncne to make; nor do I crave
political absolution, I am here to take
with others protesting the
same party faith concerning the Dem
ocratic situation. suppose 'ha. we
are all convinced that this situation
might be improved; and some of us
may think that it is perilously under.
mined, Whatever the measure of its
may be, our condition as
an organization cannot be improved
by calling each other harsh ,,ames,
nor by inauguratlng system Of ar
prescription and hanisnment.