The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-20
Sound th8 Keynote at TiIden Banquet for Democratic
 Unir
EX-PRESIDENT SAYS WE
 WANT ND GAUDY ISSUb.
Sage of Woolfert's Roost Sharply Ar ralgns Roosevelt and the Republican Administration and Tells Them
 the Meaning of Loyalty.

New York. June 19-Democratic unity was the keynote tonight of a great gath ering of representative Democrats who had come to attend the opening of the handsome new quarters of the Tiiden Club. Addresses were made by prominent Democrats and afterward a collation. was served In the banquet hall to the dis tinguished guests of the evening and A buffet supper was served in the basement for the rank and file
 To Democrats the event was one of the most memorable for many a day, as Gro yer Cleveland and David B. Hill met in harmony. seeking to draw the factions of their party together. It was the first pub lie appearance of the ex-President in hve years He spoke first. Ex-Senator Hill spoke after him and then Gov. A J. Montague of Virginia and Col. 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.
 Cleveland and Hill Meet.
 When MT. Cleveland arrived at the club house MT. Hill was in the fover The two cordially shook hands. Loud and prolonged applause greeted the two men as they entered the assembly room President Bowling of the club soon beran to speak and In introducing ex-Presiden, Cleveland, said:
 We have with us here tonight the greatest of living Democrats. The arst speaker I have the honor of introducina to you Is the essucceesful candidate of two national campaigns-ex- President Grove, | Cleveland"
 There was tremendous applause as MT. Cleveland ascended the small nIatfor,,, This applause wound up with three cheers and Tiger. When quiet was restored the former President began speaking. He said:
 MT. Cleveland Speaks.
 T 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 of the Democratic party. un- der the inspiration of a name which dur Ing the days of Democratic strength and achievement was honored n every Dem Ccratlc household. Such an assurance made to one who followed with hearty devotion the leadership of Samuel J. TiI- den when living, and who has since found in his career and fame the highest in- centive to Democratic steadfastness could hardly fail to overcome the temp tations of my contented retirement from political activity. Perhaps there are those who would define my position as one of banishment instead or retirement Against this l shall not enter a protest It is sufficient for me in either case that have followed in matters of differ ence with 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 from me. have none to make nor do crave political absolutlon. I am here to take counsel with others protesting the same party faith concerning the Democratic situation.
 Room for Improvement.
 T suppose we are all convinced that this situation might be Improved; and some of us may think it is perilously un- dermined. Whatever the measure of its impairment may be- our condition as an organization cannot be improved by call ing each other hard names, nor by in- augurating system of arbitrary proscrip- tion and banishment. The members Of a business firm in financial embarrass- ment should not sit down and look in each others faces in mute despair, nei- | ther will they regain financial soundness or the confidence Sf the business eommu- nity by racrfmlnation and quarrel: nor UiH any members of the firm aid in its restoration to solvent strength by an gry insistenoe upon a continuation of the business methods that have invited the embarrassment
 "The Democratic party is very far from political insolvency; but no one here should be offended by the suggestion q DttaI ho fered serious injury since Mir. Tilden was elected President. Then and afterwards northern Democratic states were not rare curiosities northern Democratic Senators. now practically extinct. were quite nu- merous, and northern Democratic Cover nors, now almost never seen. were fre- quently encountered.
 Longing to Be Led.
 If this state of impairment exists. an instant duty presses upon the managers of the Democratic establishment; and one which they cannot evade with honor. Those of us less prominent in the party the rank and f1le-are longing to be led through old Democratic ways to old Dem ocratic victories. We were never more ready to do enthusiastic battle than now, If can only be marshalled outside the shadow of predestined defeat. Is 1t too much to ask our leaders to avoid paths that are known to lead to disaster? Is it too much to ask that proven errors be abandoned, and that we be delivered from a body of death and relieved from the burden of issues which have been killed by the decrees of the American peoplel Ought we not to be fed upon something better than the husks of defeat? If these questions are met in an honest manly fashion. believe it will be productive oi the best kind of Democratic harmony.
 Tn dealing with new Issues we of the Democratic faith are extremely forum ato in the simplicity of Democratic stand ards and the eese with which new ques- tioDs can be measured by those standards. A party based upon care for the inter- ests of all the people as their aggregaks