The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-20
DEMOCRATIC UNITY:>
 WAS. THE REMOTE
Cleveland and Hill Advocate Har- m0ny and Clear EnunciatiOn of
 Party'S Timc-hOnOrcd Principles.

New York. June 1a.-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 Tilden Club. Addresses were made by promi- nent Democrats and afterward colla- ton was served in the 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 Gro- yer Cleveland and David B. Hill met in harmony. seeking to draw the factions of their party together. It was the first public appearance of the ex-President in five years. He spoke first. Ex-Senator Hill spoke after him. and then Governor A. J. Montague of Virginia, and Colonel W. A. Gaston of Boston. delivered ad- dresses. William J. Bryan had been in vited to attend though not to speak. but no reply was received from him.
 When Mir. Cleveland arrived at the club house, MT. Hill was in the foyer. 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 be- gan to speak. and in introducing ex- President Cleveland, said:
 We have with us here tonight the greatest os living Democrats. The first speaker I have the honor of introducing to you is the successful candidate of two national campaigns, ex-President Grover Cleveland" There was tremendous ap plause as MT. Cleveland ascended the small platform. This applause wound up with three cheers and tiger" When quiet was restored the former President began speaking.
 MT. Cleveland Speaks.
 Mir. Cleveland said:
 ] 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 rehabilitation and consolidation of the Democratic Party. under the inspiration of a name which during the days of Democratic strength and achievement. was honorsd in every Democratic household. Such an assurance made to one who followed with hearty devotion the leadership of Samuel d. Til- den when living, and who has since found in his career and fame the highest inc ce1tive to Democratic steadfastness. could hardly fail to overcome the temp tations of my contrntcd retirement from political activity. Perhaps there are those who could define my position as ono of banishment Instead of retirement Against this I shall not enter d protest. It is sufficient for me in either case, that I have followed in matters of difference within our party, the teachings and coun- eel of the great Democrat in whose name party peace and harmony are tonight in voked. No confession of party sin should therefore be expected of me. l have nono to make; nor do I crave political absolu- ton. I am here to take counsel with oth- CTS protesting the same party faith. con- cerning the Democratic situation. l sup pose we all are convinced that this situ- ation might be improved, and some of us may think it is perilously undermined. Whatever the measure of its impairment may be, our condition as an organization cannot be improved by calling each other harsh names, nor by inaugurating a sys- tenn of arbitrary prescription and banish- ment. The members of business firm in financial embarrassment should not sit down and look in each others faces in mute despair; neither will they regain financial soundness or the confidence of the business community by recrimination and quarrel; nor will any members of the firm aid in it's restoration to solvent strength by an angry insistence upon a continuation of the business methods which have invited it's embarrassment
 Party Not Insolvent.
 The Democratic Party is very far from political insolvency, but no one here should be offended by the suggestion that its capital and prospects have suffered serious injury since MT. Tilden was elect ed President Then and afterwards Northern Democratic Senators, now prac- tically extinct were quite numerous. and Northern Democratic Governors, now al- most never seen, were frequently encoun- tered.
 If this state of impairment exists. an dutV nrpSEpS npOn 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 file-are longing to be led through old Democratic ways to old Democratic victories. We were never more ready to do enthusiastic battle than now. if we can only be marshaled outside the shadow of predestined defeat. Is 1t too much to ask our leaders to avoid paths that are known to lead to dtsas- ter? Is it too much to ask that proven errors be abandoned. and that we be de- livered from a body of death. and relieved from the burden of issues which have heen killed by the decrees of the Ameri- can people? Ought we not to De red upon something better than the husks Of de- feat? If these questions are met in an honest manly fashion, I believe if will he productive of the best kind of Demo- cratic harmony.
 Simplicity of Standards.
 In dealing with new issues we of the Democratic faith are extremely fortunate in the simplic city of Democratic standards and the ease with which new questions can be measured by those standards. A party based upon care for the interests or all the people as their aggregate condl- tton demands, with no unjust faVoritlsm for any particular class; party devoted to the plan of popular Government as our fathers ordained it and for the purposes which they sought to establish: a party whose conservatism opposes dangerous and un-American experiments and get puts no barrier in the way of genuine and safe progress ought to be able to deal with new questions in a manner quite consistent with Democratic doctrine and stimulating to Democratic impulses and instincts.
 Let us not forget. however, that it is not in the search of new and gaudy is sues nor in the interpretation of strange visions that a strong and healthy Democ- racy displays it's splendid power. An other party may thrive on the ever-shift- ing treatment of the ever-shifting moods of popular residences, or by an insincere play upon unreasoaing prejudice and selfish anticipation, but the Democratic nartv never. Democracy has already Tn store the doctrines for which it fights lis successful battles, and it will have chem in store as long as the people are tent from their own, and just as long as their rights and interests are sacri- ScAd hv faVoritism in Government care by, ire1uality in Government burdens by the euCoura cement of huge indus ,ria1 aegregatlons that throttle individual enterrrises by the reckless waste of pub lie money. and by the greatest ot all n- ;urias as 1t unde~lies nearly all others, svstep, of tariff taxation whose robbing exactions, are far beyond the needs of