The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-04-16
HON, WILLIAM |. Wilson,
His Grafton on Thomas Jefferson
at York, Pennsylvania.
A VERY ELOQUENT EULOGY
or the Great Statesman, with u Dem'
ocratto Stump Speech Worked
Into It-ConsolatlOn for
the Great Defeated,

ocratio Stump Speech Worked
Into It-Consolatlon for
the Great Defeated,
YoRK, Pa, April l5,-The Young
Mems Democratic Society here honored
the birthday OF Thomas Jefferson, They
made a creditable parade, and then, act
ing as escort to the speaker, proceeded to
the court house, which was filled to
overlooking, many ladies being sprinkled
through the audience. Captain Frank
Geise acted as chairman and made a
short Introductory address, He then in
troduced the orator Of the evening, Con-
gresham W, L, Wilson, OF West -Vir.
glnia, who spoke on Thomas Jefferson
at length, Mr., Wilson said the great
man who was honored trod for forty
years the path otpractical statesmanship,
leaving enough monuments Of his wis.
dom and patriotism to win immortality
for many men. He was also the apostle
OF liberty, who bestowed upon
mankind great political truths, which
have everywhere enriched the blood OF
the patriot and added something TO the
stature Of the citizen. The influence
which tho United States have visibly ex-
ercised in widening the bounds Of free
dom over all the world during the past
century has been due not SO much to the
example OF successful democratic gov
ernment in contrast with the almost uni
form failures OF the past, but to the slow
spreading idea that governments belong
to the people, and that their sole func.
ton and authority is to secure TO the
people in equal measure the primary
rights that are the gift Of their Creator.
OF this idea Thomas jefferson was the in
spired prophet, and through long life
tho courageous and passionate deVotee.
nut THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF TODAY Is
NOT THE PARTY OF JRPFERSoN,
"But why shall we not permit him TO
sum up his own llfe," said Mr.. Wilson,
"as at the close OF the journey he re.
viewed the long and resplendent path
behind him2 Among his most private
papers was found pen.and.ink sketch
Tor Il simple monument, an obeisk OF
granite eight feet high, with an epitaph
reciting, Here was buried ThOmas JEFF:
ierson, Author Of tho Declaration Of
American Independence, Of the Statute
OF Virginia for Religious Freedom, and
Father OF the University Of Virginia.
In this brief epitaph ! am persuaded that
he meant to comprehend and set forth
the aim, the aspiration and the achieve.
ment Of his life, to every man charter
OF political freedom, complete, unQuali-
fed and indefeasible, to every man
charter OF religious freedom, com.
plete, unqualified and indefeasible,
and having secured to his Coun-
trymen these great rights, he
added general enlightenment, uni
vcrsal education, that they might know
how to use, to defend and to enjoy them
forever. And this is the whole doctrine
OF free government. That the political
party which, under the leadership Of
Mr.. Jefferson, was patriotic and wise
enough to plant itself on these doctrines,
has been able through all the inter-
vening years to maintain a vigorous
existence, alone OF all American parties,
Is no ground for surprise To those who
believe in the persistence OF political
truth; nor on the other hand is the fact
that It has recently met defeat under
the leadership Of Grover Cleveland
ground for disCouragement to those who
fully measure the forces arrayed against
1t, and observe the slow and faltering
progress OF freedom and equal rights
among the most enlightened nations on
earth.
COMFORT FOR THOSE I'm TIE souP,"
A party that sent five and n half mil
lion voters to the polls last November is
neither dead party nor a.dying. 1t
cannot fail, although out OF power, to
exert mighty influence on the govern.
ment OF the country. In the recent cam.
paign the Democratic party attacked
courageously and ardently the blatant
beast Of seCtionalism and the greedy
MoloCh OF privilege. Over either Of them,
singly, II could have won complete and
decisive victory; against their unhallow-
cd union 1t maintained, for the time be-
ing, an unequal fight. Let those, II such
there be in our ranks, who are disposed
to censure Grover Cleveland for assault
ing this combination tell US with which
one Of these he should have made terms.
With which one OF them should the
Democratic party have made terms with.
out dishonoring It's own record as great
national party and as hereditary cham:
pion Of q government OF equal rightsT
FAMILIAR ClIEsTNurs.
Mr.. Wilson portrayed at length the
growth OF the money power under the
rule Of the Republican party, the march
OF corporate aggression, their increasing
representation In the Senate, the up
building OF monopolies and trusts under
our revenue laws.
"In view OF all these monster Combin.
ations against the rights Of the people,
the simplicity and honesty Of our gov.
ernment, tho purity OF elections aud the
opportunities Of youth" Mr.. Wilson
asked, "might II not DO after all that, rs
the great and patriotic soul Of Jefferson
was leaving It's earthly mansion, he was
looking forward to the future struggle OF
his country, and not toits past contests,
and seeing all the gigantic forces then 10
be arrayed against free government
and individual manhood, have ex.
claimed, Lot the committees Of safety
be warned" The committees OF
, safety" Mr.. Wilson said, "must now be
, the Democratic societies, springing from
tho bosom Of the people, combining and
organizing TO oppose the great aSsOCia.
tionB and combinations oi law.made
wealth and privilege, set for the main.
, tonanCe and propagation Of sound politl.
cal principles, and for rallying the peo.
plo onceaguin 10 tho rescue and perpetual
= defense ot free government" !"
Mr.. Wilson whilst In York is the guest
OF Hon. ChaunCey +. Black.
millionaire Cole Dead.
NEw YoBE,. April lb,-rhe death oi