Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-06-20

unity was the keynote last night of Il
great gathering of representative Dem
ocratS who had come to attend the
opening of the handsome new quarters
of the Tilden club. Addresses were
made by prominent Democrats and
afterward q collation. was served in the
banquet hall to the distinguished
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 day, as Grover Cleveland
and David B. Hill met in harmony
seeking TO draw the factions of their
party together. 1t was the first public
political appearance of the eX-presi-
dent in five years. He spoke first.
Ex-senator Hill spoke after him.
Cleveland and Hill Meet.
Cleveland. on arrival, had scarcely
got into the buiIuIng when David Il.
Hill came in. HilfS eye caught Cleve-
land as soon as he had entered. and
q moment later they were cordially
shaking each others hand. Long and
prolonged applause greeted the two
men as they entered the assembly
ROOM There was tremendous applause
when Cleveland rose to speak. and mis-
address was repeatedly cheered. The
point in his speech where Cleveland
announced his absolutely retirement
from politics the crowd yelled. NO, no,
no.
Points from CIeveIand's Speech.
In the course of his speech the eX-
president said that he had been urged
TO participate in the name of Samuel
]. Tilden. and that such an appeal
could hardly fail to overcome the
temptations OF my cOntended retire
ment from political activity Perhaps
there are those who would define my
position as one of Punishment instead
OF retirement. Against this shall not
enter protest. II is sufficient for me
in either case. that / have followed. in
matters of difference within our par
ty. the teachings and counsel of the
great Democrat i'm whose name party
peace and harmony are tonight in
Yoked."
- To New Issues
In reference TO new issues Cleve-
land said: In dealing with new issues
we of the Democratic faith are eX-
tremely fortunate in the simplicity OF
Democratic standards and the ease
with which new questions can be
measured by those standards. 4 party
based upon care for the interests OF
all the people as their aggregate con
ultlOn OennanuS- Win no UNJUST IaNOT-
itism for any particular class: party
devoted TO the plan of popular govern
ment as our fathers ordained il and
for the purposes which they sought to
establish: a party whose conservatism
opposes dangerous and un-Americaf
experiments and Yet puts no barrier
in the way of genuine and safe prog
ress. ought to be able 10 deal with
new questions. ."
Declares Himself Out of Politics.
He declared his well known OppOsi-
ton to tariff taxation: said that har
mony that is worth anything cannot
be had by simply agreeing to have il.
Said he believed that the times point
to another Democratic opportunity"
and bid goodbye to public life for
himself as follows: My days of pOliti-
cal activity are past, and / shall not
hereafter assume to participate in par
ty councils. / am absolutely content
with retirement but / still have one
burning, anxious political aspiration.
/ want to see before / die the res
tOration to perfect health and suprem-
acy of that Democracy whose mission
It is to bless the people, n Democracy
true to itself-untempted by clamor,
unmoved by the gusts of popular pas
sion. 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"