Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-20
Hill and Cleveland Meet in Harmony in
Endeavor to Unite Party.
BRYAN INVITED, BUT DID NOT REPLY
E1-PresIdent Asserts that Change
Must Come, While Hill PrRc-
N1l, 'IcalIy Outlines Platform
" N,L Next Campaign.

banquet hall to the distinguished guests OF
the evening and a buffet supper was served
in the basement for the rank and file.
To the democrats the event was one OF
the most memorable for many a day. Grover
Cleveland and David B. Hill met in har-
mony seeking to draw the factions OF their
party together. 1t was the first public po-
litical appearance OF the ex-president In
five years. He spoke first, ex-senator Hill
spoke after him and then Governor Mon
tague. Of Virginia, and Colonel W. A.
CASTOR, OF Boston, delivered addresses
VIM j. Bryan had been invited to attend,
though not to speak, but no reply was re-
ceived from him.
Leaders Greet Each other.
Mr.. Cleveland arrived at the club house
accompanied by II. d. Hotchkiss, Dr. JOS
eph E. Bryant, and John c. Calhoun. He
had scarcely got into the building when ex-
Senator David B. Hill, accompanied by L.
Latin Kellogg, came in Mr.. Hills eye
caught Mr. Cleveland as soon as he had en-
tered the spacious club foyer and a moment
later they we're cordially shaking each
others hand.
Loud and prolonged applause greeted the
two men as they entered the assembly
room. President Dowing. Of the club, soon
began TO speak, ana IN introducing SA-IIes-
ident Cleveland, said:
We have founded this club TO promote
the best interests of the democratic party
For that reason we have invited democrats
from all parts Of the country to listen to
the words Of those prominent In thir party.
We have named this club after that great
statesman, Samuel J. Tilden, and this club
stands for the political and governmental
honesty for which the name of Tilden
stands.
We have with us here tonight the great
est of living democrats. The first speaker
have the honor of introducing to you is
the successful candidate of two campaigns,
ex-President Grover Cleveland.
Applause Greets Cleveland.
There was tremendous applause as Mr..
Cleveland ascended the small platform.
This applause wound up with three cheers
and tiger"
When quiet was restored the former
president began speaking. He said in part:
have been urged to participate in this
cI occasion ion by those who have assured S ire IN, me
Gated tonight TO the rehabilitation and con-
solidation of the democratic party, under
the days of democratic strength and
achievement was honored in every demo
cratic household. Such an assurance made
to one who followed with hearty devotion
the leadership # Samuel j. Tilden when
career and fame the highest incentive to
democratic steadfastness, could hardly fail
to overcome the temptations of my con-
Perhaps there are those who would define
my position one of Punishment, instead
of retirement Against this / shall not
enter a protest. 1t Is sufficient for me in
either case that / have followed I'm 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
have none to make; nor do l crave political
absolution. l am here to take counsel
with others protesting the same party
faith, concerning the democratic situation.
/ suppose we all convinced that this
situation might be improved and some OF
Whatever the measure of its impairment
may be our condition as an organization
cannot be improved by calling each other
harsh names, nor by inaugurating a sys-
tenn OF arbitrary prescription and banish-
ment. The members of a business firm in
down and look in each others faces in
mute despair; neither viii they regain
the business community by recrimina tion
and quarrel; nor will any members of the
strength by an angry insistence upon a
continuation of the business methods which
have invited its embarrassment
Political Capital Impaired.
The democratic party is very far from
political insolvency, but no one here should
capital and prospects have suffered serious
injury since Mr.. Tilden was elected presi-
uenl. linen ana hIleIWdTO nOrtneTD demo-
cratic states were not rare curtoslties;
northern democratic senators, now prac-
tically extinct, were quite numerous, and
northern democratic governors, now almost
never seen, were frequently encountered.
Those OF us less prominent in the party
through old democratic ways to old demo-
cratic victories. We were never more
ready to DO enthusiastic battle than now,
if We can only be marshalled outside the
shadow of predestined defeat. Is it too
much to ask our leaders to avoid paths
ha ara IN Ian IN Il ff
too much to ask that proven errors be
abandoned and that we be delivered from
den of issues which have been killed by
the DEGREES of the American people? Ought
we not 3b to be fed upon something better
tions are met in an honest, manly fashion,
believe it will be productive of the best
kind of democratic harmony
Let us not forget, however. that II Is not
In the search OF new and gaudy issues,
that strong and healthy democracy dis
plays its splendid power. Another party
may thrive on the ever-shifting treatment
OF the ever-shifting moods of popular rest
lessness, or by an insincere play upon un-
reasoning prejudice and selfish anticipa-
uon, but the democratic party never
Must BE Done Openly.
II we are TO have rehabilitation and re-
gested, 1t is important that II be done
openly and with no mystery or double
meaning our people are too much on the
alert to accept political deliverances they
do not understand, and the enthusiasm OF
the democratic rank and file does not
thrive on mystery.
The democratic harmony of which we
hear so much cannot be effectively con-
struCted by mathema tical rHle nor by a
formal agreement on the part of those
who have been divided that there shall be
harmony.
My days of political activity are past,
and / shall not hereafter assume to par
tiCipate in party councils l am absolutely
content with retirement, but ! still have
one burning anxious political aspiration
/ want TO see before / die the restoration
TO perfect health and supremacy of that
people-a democracy true to itself, un-
tempted by clamor, unmoved by the gust
of popular passion and uncorrupted by
offers OF strange alliance-the democracy
Of patriotism, the democracy of safety, the
democracy Of Tilden and the democracy
that deserves and wins success
Hill Outlines Platform.
Senator David b. Hill who spoke next
was received almost as enthusiastically as
Mr.. Cleveland. Mr.. DoWlng, in introducing
him said Mr. Hill Is today the recognized
leader Of his party In New York state and
under his guidance and leadership we are
confident OF victory.
Mr.. Hill referred TO the recent speech OF
Mr.. Hear in the senate upon the Philippine
question and said that It had made a last