Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-06-26

unity was the keynote tonight Of a
great gathering Of representative
Democrats who had come to attend the
opening of the handsome new quarters
OF the Tilden Club. Addresses we're
made by prominent Democrats and
afterwards collation. was served in
Che banquet hall to the distinguished
guests of the evening and buffet
supper was served in the basement for
the rank and file.
To Democrats the event was one of
the most memorable for many day,
as Grover Cleveland and David B. Hill
met in harmony, seeking to draw the
factions of their party together. 1t was
the ex-President in five years. He
spoke first. Elk Senator Hill spoke
after him, and then Gov. A. j. Mon
tague of Virginia, and Col. w. A.
! CASTOR of Boston, delivered addresses.
William J. Bryan had been invited
/ to attend, though not to speak, but no
reply was received from him.
When Mr.. Cleveland arose to speak
he received great ovation. Looking
picture Of rugged health, bluntly and
without any attempt at oratorioal
effect, diagnosed the diseases from
which his party has suffered and pre-
scribed remedy. At one point of his
speech the ex- President said: My days
of political activity are over. :"
From all over the handsome hall
where the meeting was held came a
thunderous chorus of mo! MOI We
want you to lead! We want you to
advised" Mr.. Cleveland said:
GfoyER cLEvELAND's SPEECH.
/ have been urged to participate in
this occasion by those who have as
sured me that this handsome structure
is to be dedicated tonight to the re-
Mobilization 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 has since sound
in his career and fame the highest in
centive to Democratic steadfastness,
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 Danish
ment instead of retirement Against
buAo 5latlA iIib DIOltSbs IL is
sufficient for ME in either case that |
have followed in matters of difference
within our party the teachings and
counsel of the great Democrat in whose
name party peace and harmony are to-
night invoked. No confession of party
sin should, therefore, be expected Of
me. | have none to make; nor do
crave political absolution. / am here
to take counsel with others protesting
the same party faith concerning the
Democratic situation. | suppose we all
are convinced that this situation might
be improved, and some of US may think
it is perilously undermined.
Whatever the measure of its impair-
ment may be, our condition as an
organization cannot be improved by
calling each other harsh names, nor by
insugnrating system of arbitrary
prescription and Punishment. The mem
bers of a business firm in financial EN-.
barrassment should not sit down and
look in each other's faces in mute
despair; neither will they regain finan.
oial soundness or the confidence of the
business community by recrimination
and quarrel; nor will any members oil
the firm aid in its restoration to solvent
strength by an angry insistence upon
continuation of the business methods
which have invited its embarrassment.
The Democratic party is very fal
from political insolvency; but no one
here should be offended by the sug.
gestion that its capital and prospects
have suffered serious injury since Mr..
Tilden was elected President Their
and afterward Northern Democratic
States were not rare euriosities
Northern Democratic Senators, nov
practically extinct, were quite numerou;
and Northern Democratic governors
now almost never seen, were frequentl,
encountered.
IL this state of impairment exists an
instant duty presses upon the manager
of the Democratic establishment, anc
one which they cannot evade witt
honor. Those of us less prominent il
the party-the rank and file-are long.
ing to be led through old Democrati,
ways to old Democratic victories. We
were never more ready to do enthusiast,
battle than now, if we can only bl
marshaled outside the shadow of pre-
destined defeat.
lis it too much to ask our leaders t,
avoid paths that are known to lead t,
disaster? Is it too much to ask tina
proven errors be abandoned, and tina
we be delivered from a body of deatl
and relieved from the burden of issue
which have been killed by the decree
of the American people? Ought we no
to be fed upon something better tina,
the husks of defeat? If these question
are met in an honest, manly fashion
believe it will be productive of tn
best kind of Democratic harmony.
In dealing with now issues we of tn
Democratic faith are extremely fortu
nate in the simplicity of Democratic
standards and the ease with, which ney
questions can be measured by thos
standards. A party based upon car
for the interests of all the Ileople a
their aggregate condition demands
with no unjust favoritism or any par
tieular class; o party devoted to tn
plan of popular government as GU
fathers ordained it, and for the pur
poses which they sought to establish
party whose conservatism oppose
danger gus and un-American expert
ments and yet puts no barrier in tn
way of genuine and safe progress oupb
to De able to deal with new question
in manner quite consistent wit
Democratic doctrines, and stimulatin
to Democratic impulses and instinct:
Let us not forget, however, that it i
not in the search of new and gaud
issues, nor in the Interpretation {
strange visions that strong an
healthy Democracy displays its sDiendi
power. Another party may thrive O
the ever-shifting treatment Of the ever
shifting moods of popular restlessness