The Washington herald., 1908-01-09
Justice Morgan J. 0'Brien
Speaks in New York.
MR.. CLEVELAND SENDS LETTER
Alton b. Parker, ID Cady Hcrrick,
Edward VI. Shepard, Augustus Van
Wyck, Perry Belmont. Senator
Clark, John ID. CrImmins, and
Richard Croker, Jr., Present.

dinner Of the National Democratic Club
tonight The dinner marked the opening
Of a series of dinners which the club is to
give. at which it is proposed to discuss
ways and means TO stimulate the Democ-
racy and get the party together"
The dinner was a notable one in the
history of the club. both for the men it
brought together and also for the speech
delivered by Justice oBrien. who tried
to explain why the party was divided,
and sounded the keynote of the campaign
which Is to be waged. to get a platform
and a candidate at Denver that will ap-
peal to the sober sense of the nation.
Mr.. Bryan was rot mentioned by name
except once. 1t was for the party to pick
as a leader, Justice O'Brien said, the
man who could carry its banner farthest
into the ranks Of the enemy after it mad
returned to its ancient moorings.
Mr.. O'Brien was enthusiastically ap-
plauded.
Cleveland Sends Letter.
Former President Cleveland sent let
ter which aroused great deal of eHthu-
siasm In it he also asked for a return
to conservatism. There were more than
200 present at the dinner. which, on ac-
count Of the number. had tosbe served on
the first floor of the clubhouse on Fifth
avenue Harry Walker, who is the leader
OF the Bryan element in the club. was
noticeable absentee. and there were 9TH
ers with Bryan sentiments who were
missing.
Judge Fitzgerald presided. and with
him at the head table were Alton E.
Parker the party's standard bearer in
1904; d Cady Herrick Edward NJ Shep-
ard. Augustus Van Wyck, William B.
Ellison. Cord Meyer. Perry Belmont,
Judge Foster. and ex-senator Lindsay OF
Kentucky.
Senator William A. Clark of Montana;
John D. Crimmins. and Richard Croker,
jr., were among the other guests.
As a prelude to the speechmaking, Sec
retary Dunlop read the letter sent by Mr..
Cleveland, at the mention Of whose name
the diners got up and cheered.
The letter follows;
4 very much regret that l am in
exorably obliged to decline the courte-
Gus invitation ] have received to at
tend the Jackson Day dinner to be
given by the National Democratic Club
on the Sth instant
Il am intensely interested in every
effort To revive genuine and effective
Democratic sentiment. aud to restore
the Democratic courage, consistency.
and confidence, whose necessity 70 our
party's success and usefulness has been
so often demonstrated in the past
1T is but natural that those who
have followed all their lives the Dem
ocratic standard should longingly de-
sire their party's success; but this can
not be gained by either shouting our
party name. or attempting undemo-
cratic experiments.
4 am profoundly impressed by the
conviction that the situation now con
fronting the people of our land has
directed their attention more TO their
relief from conditions that alarm and
startle them than TO the empty salts
faction Of partisan supremacy.
Country Needs Conservatism.
"Our country needs conservatism. re-
cuperation from nervous prostration. re-
Of constitutional observance,
buoyant but none the less safe and pru-
dent Americanism, scrupulous care CO
every person and every interest entitled
to care, and q square deal that means
exact and honest equality before the law
and under constitutional guaranty.
These things are still among the pos
sessions Of true Democracy, and Demo
cratic patriotism, sincerity and wisdom
demand that our party. in this. time of
need, should unitedly cffer them 10 our
My regret that I must be absent from
a Jackson Day dinner, where the at
mosphere must be so thoroughly Demo- |
cratic, is intensified by my close friend 1
ship and admiration for the guest whom 4
your club will especially honor on the
1t would be an unusual and
qualification if I could add my /
tribute of praise to one who by nature /
by conviction. by clean party service, and
by clear understanding of party doctrine /
has so well earned Democratic confidence /
ana devotion as Morgan J. OBrien
Yours. very sincerely,
GROVER CLEVELAND" |
Other letters were read from Mayor Me
Clellan, David 3. Hill, and Charles F. |
Murphy. who is at Atlantic City.
In introducing Justice O'Brien as the
speaker Of the evening, Judge Fitzgerald |
said that he did not know whether the /
toast he had was to be regarded as a SEN
timent 10 respond to or conundrum to /
solve.
Justice O'Brien's speech.
Justice O'Brien said it was unnecessary
al such a dinner to repeat the aims and |
principles of the Democratic party.
But in passing" said he, lit is proper /
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