Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-06-27
Democratic Unity the Key Note.

basement for the rank and file.
To Democrats the event was one
of the most memorable for many a
day, as Grover Cleveland and
David B. Hill met in harmony,
seeking to draw the factions of
theirparty together. 1t was the first
public political appearance of the
ex-President in five years. He
spoke first, ex-senator Hill spoke
after him and Governor A. j..
Montague, of Virginia, and Col.
w. A. Castor, of Boston, delivered
addresses.
William j. Bryan had been in
vited to attend, though not to
speak, but no reply was received
from him.
President Bowling of the Club in
introducing ex-President Cleve-
land, 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
their party. We have named this
club after that great statesman.
Samuel j. Tilden, and this club
stands for the political and gov
ernmental honesty for which the
name of Tilden stands.
"We have with us here tonight
the greatest of living Democrats.
The first speaker l have the honor
of introducing to you is the sue
cessful candidate of two nOmi-
nations, ex-President Grover Cleve-
land"
Amidst great applause, Mr..
Cleveland assembled the platform.
When quiet had been restored he
began. He said in part:
"ThOse of us less prominent in
the party-the rank and file-are
longing to be led through old Demo
cratic ways to old Democratic
victories. We were never more
ready to do enthusiastic battle
than now.
sit is not in the search of new
and gaudy issues nor in the inter
probation of strange visions that u
strong and healthy Democracy
displays its splendid power.
democracy will have its doc
trines in store as long as the people
are kept from their own, and just as
long as their rights and intentions
are sacrificed by favoritism in
Government care, by inequality in
Government burdens, by the en-
enlargement of Industrial aggre-
cations that throttle individual
enterprise, by the reckless waste
of public money and by the great
est of all injuries, as it underlies
nearly all others-a system Of
tariff taxation whose robbing
exactiOns are far beyond the needs
of economic and Legitimate Govern
ment expenditures, which pur-
chases support by appeals to
sordidness and greed and which
continually corrupts the public
conscience.
81 believe the times point to
another Democratic opportunity as
near at hand; but l believe We
shall reap the fruits of it only by
following the line of conduct l
have indicated.
Senator David b. Hill spoke
next and was as enthusiastically
received as Mr.. Cleveland. Mr..
Hill was followed by Governor
Montague, who spoke for the
South. He said in part:
1.-THE name of Tilden is good
one to begin with to settle differ
ences in the Democratic party.
Virginia reveres that name. His
wise and sagaciOus craftsmanship,
his rnbounded courage, his great
knowledge, has endeared him to
us all.
ave need not hunt for issues in
this campaign. If the party can
not appeal to the people for an
old-fashioned revival of party
prosperity now, when can we? L
am not here to promulgate a party
code or platform.
"The alliance of trusts and tax
alton has grown to be well nigh
inseparable, and the time has
come to break it. Virginia is
still where it always stood-loyal
to Democracy"
N...lA Koon LIZ GnOraf