The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-06-20

From Political Insolvency-Wishes to
 See Democratic Supremacy Again Be-
 fore He Dies-HtIl Scores the Present
 Administrations.
 New York, June 19.-Democratic unity
 was the key note of great gathering
 of representative democrats who had
 come to attend the opening of the hand-
 some new quarters of the Tilden club to-
 night. To democrats the event was one
 of the most memorable for many a day
 as Grover Cleveland and David B. Hill
 two of the most prominent leaders
 sought to draw the factions of their
 party together. It was the first public
 political appearance of the ex-president
 ill five years. He spoke first. Ex-Sen-
 ator Hill spoke after him and then
 Governor A. J. Montague of Virginia
 and Colonel w A. Gaston of Boston
 delivered addresses.
 William J. Bryan had been invited to
 attend, though not to speak, but no
 reply was received from him.
 MT. Cleveland had scarcely arrived dL llle CluD uOuSe WItll Gh-OGlldlOI L1Ill
 came in. MT Hills eye caught MT.
 Cleveland as soon as he had entered and moment later they were cordially
 shaking each others hand.
 Loud and prolonged applause greeted
 the two men as they entered the as sembly room. President Bowling of the club soon began to speak and in in troducing eX-President 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 promi- nent in their party.
 We have with us here tonight the greatest of living democrats. The first speaker I have the honor of intro ducing to you is the successful candi- date of two national campaigns, eX- President Grover Cleveland"
 There was tremendous applause as MT. Cleveland ascended the small plat form. He said:
 Cleveland,s Address.
 I have been urged to participate in this occasion by those who have assured me that this handsome structure is to be dedicated tonight to the rehabilita- tion and consolidation of the democratic party 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 bo ciI,oa found in hic poreer and fa the highest incentive to democratic steadfastness, could hardly fail to over- come the tempta tions of my contended retirement from political activity. Per haps there are those who could define my position as one of banishments in- stead of retirement. Against this I shall not enter a protest It is sufficient | for me in either case, that I have fol- lowed in matters of difference within | our party the teachings and counsel of | the great democrat in whose name l party pace and harmony are tonight | invoked. No confession of party sin should therefore be expected of me. 1 | have none to make; nor do I crave po- | litical absolution. I am here to take counsel with others protesting the same l party faith, concerning the democratic situation. I suppose we all are con- vinced that this situation might be i'm proved; and some of us may think it is periIously undermined. Whatever the measure of its impairment may be, our as an organization cannot be improved by calling each other harsh nor by inaugurating a system of arbitrary prescription and banish- ment. The members of a business firm in financial embarrassment should not sit down and look in each others faces In mute despair; neither will they re- gain financial soundness or the confi- Hence of the business community by re- and quarrel; nor will any members of the firm aid in it's restora- ton to solvent strength by an angry in- sistance upon a continuation of the bus ness methods which hay einvited it's embarrassment.
 The democratic party is very far from political insolvency, but no one here should be offended by the suggestion hat it's capital and prospects have suf- cred serious injury since MT Tilden vas elected president. Then and after wards northern democratic states were lot rare curiosities mortimer ndemocrat-I c senators, now practically extinct, were quite numerous, and northern governors, now almost never cen, were frequently encountered. If this state of impairment exists, an in tant duty presses upon the managers of 1 he democratic establishment; and one 1 mich they cannot eNaue with honor. Those , us less prominent in the party-the rank nd tile-are longing to be led through old emocratic ways to old democratic victories ve were never more ready to do enthusi stic battle than now, if we can only be larshalled outside the shadow of predes ned defeat. Is it too much to ask our , ,aders to avoid paths that are known to ,ad to disaster? Is it too much to ask I 1at proven errors be abandoned, and that ( e be delivered from body of death, and z ,lieved from the burden of issues which ave been killed by the decrees of the Am rican people? Ought we not to be fed pon something better than the husks of afeat? If these questions are met in an onest manly fashion. I believe it will he | of the best kind of democratic z irmony. In dealing with new issues we of the I