Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 April 1884 — THE IROQUOIS CLUB. [ARTICLE]

THE IROQUOIS CLUB.

Letter from Samuel J. Tilden. The Iroquois Clab of Chioago, composed of gentlemen prominent in the Democratic -party, recently gave its third annual banquet at the Palmer House, in that city. The local attendance was very large, in addition to which there was a gathering of distinguished Democrats from all parts of the country. Among the speakers were ex-Senator James R. Doolittle, of Wisconsin; Senator George H. Pendleton, of Ohio; Col. ,W. C. P. Breckinridge, of Kentucky; Hon. J. Sterling Morton, of Nebraska; and Judge David Turpie and Hon. Bayliss W. Hanna, of Indiana. Letters of regret were read from Gov. Tilden, Senators Bayard, Vance, and Hampton. David A. Wells, Abram S. Hewitt, S, S. Cox, Gov. Glick, of Kansas, Speaker Carlisle, Gen. MoClSllan, exSenator Thurman, and many other Democrats of equal prominence. TEXT OF GOV. TILDEN S LETTEB. Gentlemen : I have had the honor to receive yonr invitation to the third annual banquet of the Iroquois Club, to respond to the sentiment, “The Federal Constitution.” I have also received private letters asking a written response to the Sentiment, in case I am prevented from attending. I have been for some time and am still exceptionally engrossed with business which I have no power to defer or abandon; I must, therefore, communicate wth you in writing, and my answer must be brief. On the formation of the Federal Constitution, Gouverneur Morris, who had been a conspicuous member of the convention, being asked what he thought of the Constitution,-replied: “That depends upon how It is construed.” The Democratic party originated in a- resistance by the morp advanced patriots of the revolution to the efforts which were made to change the character of our Government by ialse constructions of the Constitution, impressing on the new system a monarchical bias. Mr. Jefferson’s election in 1800 rescued our free institutions from the perils which surrounded them, and secured sixty years of administration mainly in harmony with their design and true character. When an attempt was made to break up the Union and to dismember the territorial integrity of the country, the people were compelled to make a manly choice between these calamities and the dangerous influences Of civil war upon the character of the Government. They patriotically and wisely resolved to save the Union first, and to repair the damage which our political system might sustain when the more imminent dangers had been provided against. The first work was successfully accomplished; but twenty years have since elapsed, and the work of restoring the Government to its original character Is not yet accomplished. Our wise ancestors had warned us that, if we foil into civil discords, our free system was liable to perish in the struggle by an insensible change of its character. Noli only hare the best traditions of the patriots who won independence and established freedom lost their authority, but our cherished political system is slowly losin g its hold upon life under the fungus growth of false constructions and corrupt practices. Government Itself has become a menacing factor in the elections. As long ago as 18761 expressed the opinion that the opposition must embrace at the beginning of the canvass two-thirds of the voters to maintain a majority at the election. In this, history repeats itself. In most countries the Government maintains itself by force of fraud. Even in the comparatively popular system of England, the monarch has until lately controlled a majority of Parliament, and frequently decided the elections by court favors, jobs, and money taken from the public treasury. This is a hard saying, but recent publications of the papers of her deceased statesmen leave no doubt upon the subject. In our own country the Government, Instead of standing as an impartial arbiter amid the conflicts' of maturing opinion and contending interests, has itself descended Into the arena, equipped with all the weapons of partisanship. Its myriads of office-holders; Its alliances with or against vast pecuniary interests; its unlimited command of money levied from its dependents and contractors have sufficed to determine a majority in every case but one. In that case, it collected military forces around the Capitol, and by this and other menaces intimidated the Congressional representatives of a majority of the people to relinquish the frnits of their victory and to surrender the Government to the control of a minority. No reform of the administration is possible as long as the Government is directed by a party which is under the .dominion of false doctrines and antmated by enormous pecuniary interests in the perpetuation of existing abuses. The first effectual steps in the reform .of our Government must be a fundamental change in the policy of Its administration. The work of. reform will be difficult enough with the whole power of the Government exerted in accom- 1 P I have «och Jaftb fn the benignant providence which has: presided- over the- deStmjr*f our country in every great trial hitherto, mat I do not despair of our ultimate deliverance. Though I can no longer aspire te be one of the leaders In this great wok. I bid thope upon whom this an-.

gust mission mav fall, godspeed. New York, April U. 1684. ■ f

S. J. TILDEN.