New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-05
WANTED: LIVE ISSUES.
Il FEW CONVICTIONS, TOO.
Brooklyn Democrats Also Told
President Is Great Personality.

After declaring that President Roosevelt, ex-
President Cleveland and William Jennings Bryan
are the greatest personalities in American public
life to-day, ex-Justce D. Cady Herrck. at the din
ner of the Brooklyn Democratic Club at the Hotel
Imperial last night talking Of the future Of the
Democratic party, said:
I'VE must have the courage of our convictions.
and we must have convictions"
The dinner was held to commemorate the life and
public services Of Horatio Seymour. About
hundred and fifty of the members OF the club were
present Daniel NIoynahan presided. In addition
to ex-Justlce Herrick, the speakers We're Edward
M. Shepard, whose topic was 'JIoratio Seymour"
and Thomas NJ. Osborne, Mayor Of Auburn, who
talked on Progressive Democracy" Among others
at the speakers table were Justice Gaynor. Robert
Grier Monroe, James Shevlin, Deputy Fire Commits
sioner Doyle and Herman a. Metz.
There were mingled shouts and jeers when
Charles +. Murphy's name mentioned be-
ing unable be present Borough President Little
ton, who had promised to speak, is carefully avoid
ing political dinners now. and in Albany. Elk
Controller Coler, who had reserved seats for him
self and friends conspicuous by his absence.
Ex-Justice Herrick introduced q man
who had made great sacrifices for his party in
accepting the nomination for Governor; but he
modestly disclaimed the allegation and declared
that he indebted to the Democratic party for
ali that he a public He was in mood
to read TO the Democratic party lesson IN being
good" and based # the fact that Brooklyn has
a large independent vote. which supports the
Democratic ticket only when it believes its candi
dates honest and its issues good
I'VE have got to do something for ourselves"
said the speaker. 1T is not sufficient TO point
with pride TO Horatio Seymour and the other
great characters in our history We must present
some living issues of our own.
First, we must have the courage Of con-
victions. We must enter into the campaign with
hating step. The greatest personalities in
American public life to-day President Roose-
Bryan They have bigger foIlowings than any
other living men. 1t is because the people believe
in the absolute courage and honesty of these men,
All like courageous men and honest men. We
must have the courage of our cOnvlctions-and we
must have convictions. We must have live issues;
don'a let us fight ever dead questions. We cannot
afford TO be a party of negatives. We can't afford
to be a party Of political units, to criticise and
not create"
Ex-Judge Herrick then went on TO say that ha
regarded as one Of the most vital issues before the
public to-day the suppression of bribery at the
pous which he declared debased the public con-
science He spoke of agitation for a system or
taxation where one class of people should be Sc
lected to bear the burdens Of the State
Regarding municipal ownership he said:
without going into the realm of paternalism the
government has remedy ior al p r Of the old
English law that when man puts ms money mo mo
p Tec % sIbiect to governmental control If the
public cannot select agents who are ABOVE coEFIP-
lion who are moved by patriotic motives and de-
voton to public duty Instead Of being e G9n Sy
DTSsoTie and for the people is in truth a failure;
IF We want to control, handle and manage any OF
ON ereat nubIic utilities do 1t without any
mai 0eteTSnaIisn but by a legitimate use OF public
power.
.Aavor Osborne also chastened the party and its
leaders He said;
To speak plainly, our leaders have not always IN
the past had courage in opposiloni nor tne non Ion
esy Of purpose in success that is the party Que
we rnus+ have fair treatment from them, pe1ore
we can play our parts, we must expect them 70
have confidence enough in the people 10 mold
etIongI,y TO moral principle, even though Its APP
piication seems for the moment unpop4IaaT,; we
11rst ask them TO drop issue upon whlch the
ItonIa have decided whether il be dead or nor yet
arrived at maturity. Above all, We must nave
Sroro H. am frank dealiug-the truth; there must
he no uncertainty as to what they mean and why
they mean it, and their actions must square with
their words.
Mr.. Shepard devoted himself to a eulogy of
Toratfo Seymour, and skinned over the present
day problems.