Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-01

After nearly four years Of retirement the
jackson Democratic Association emerged from
an existence Of inactivity last evening and is
now on the warpath, and woe betide the wicked
republicans when the old democratic war horses
meet them. The meeting, which was caIled-for
the election, was very largely attended, and the
greatest enthusiasm prevailed.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
Mr.. James L. Norris was for the fourth time
unanimously elected president Of the associa-
ton, Mr.. James w. Barker being chosen first
vice president, the remaining vice presidents
elected being Messrs. Geo T. Kirk John Ham,
lin and John A. Clark. Mr.. Nat Sario was re-
elected recording secretary, DIR. Chas. A. Allen
corresponding secretary, r. E. /. White financial
secretary and j. Harrison johnson treasurer.
The following gentlemen were then elected
delegates TO represent the at the meet
ing OF the National Leaguepf Democratic Clubs,
which meets in New York city on Tuesday next:
Messrs. John A. Clark, Joseph Atkins, r. E. l..
White, Geo. E. Kirk, J. Harrison johnson and
II. o. Claughton. Should any one Of them
find IL impossible to attend he is empowered to
appoint q member Of the association ~ an
alternate.
After appointing the following committee on
membership, Messrs A. A. Lipscomb, Mills
Dean, p. c. Gordon, Wm. A. Hutchins and H.
".
dues during the campaign should be % cents q
II week. 1t was also decided to meet in St.
Georges Hall, 18th between Z and r streets,
every Friday evening.
President Norris then delivered the following
address, his remarks being frequently inter
rupted by enthusiastic applause, after which
the meeting adjourned.
MR.. SonnIs' SPEECH.
Gentlemen Of the Jackson Democratic Associa-
need not say how fully I appreciate the
honor you have again conferred ON me to be
chosen the fourth time as the presiding officer
Of one of the oldest and most time honored
democratic associations in the country. A po-
sition SO long held by my venerated father
moves me to a sense Of obligation to see to it
that no detriment shall come to the organize
ton or to the cause it upholds which il is in my
power to avert. Aided by your support l as
sumo the position at q time when every true
democrat In the country is called upon to do all
in his power to advance the cause of true de-
mocracy, which we believe 10 be the cause Of
pure government and patriotic policy.
And here, gentlemen, let me remind you how
different are the condition of our political
economy and the necessities thereby created
for the most effective and benefcent admins
tration of our national affairs at the present
time from what they were in the days of that
grand old democrat whose honored name We
bear. If, indeed, 1t is true that he found it
convenient to act upon the principle that "to
the victors belong the spoils" it was at period
In the history Of the republic when the prin-
ciple could be practically and effectively applied
for the general good But the patronage OF the
presidential Office has enormously Increased
since then that 1t has become practically i'm
possible to realize the best results Of this
principle in its highest patriotic sense
within the narrow limit of four years term
No man can do it unless he were assisted
nv hnu aid 10 a
II "Old Hickory" were alive today that he
would recognize the situation and would either
advocate q longer presidential term or devise
some more effective plan for dispensing the
patronage Of the government in accordance
with those great principles Of the democracy
which concern the welfare of the people. the
whole people and nothing but the people Of
this vast republic. Never did Andrew Jackson
prostitute his high Office to the doing out Of
executive patronage simply as the rewards Of a
henchman. He sought, indeed, the friends Of
his policy for Office, but it was for
ply to reward them for services
rendered or to make an aims house Of the gov
ernment for broken-down politicians sdven-
turers or cranks. am the more free to utter
these statements because it is known to every
man who hears me that seek no government
ONCE, that =! neither need nor desire one. and
that am not now seeking preferment among
my fellow democrats simply as a stepping stone
to some further ultimate government distinc-
ton or advancement. and, thanks to benef-
cent Providence, happen TO be 80 situated that
should my democracy ever come to be tested
by any offer Of such distinction should hest
tate long TO accept 1t, and then only when con-
WINGED that the public good required it.
This is the standard which I set up
for myself, and l hesitate not to say
that he is no true democrat nor
genuine lover Of his country who can take any
laoo - II - l. Ia
citizen. l feel bound to take this occasion to
give expression to these views because believe
that the secret Of our partisan and factional
heart burnings and dissensions wherever they
exist. 10 largely to be found in the disappoint-
ments Of Office seekers, without regard to their
fitness, ability or fidelity. II know anything
OF what genuine democracy is its purposes and
aims are far higher and nobler than q
mere selfish scramble for the loaves and
fishes. and I hesitate not to say that
II by some means or other the democratic party
in the whole country today could be completely
purged Of the men who are hangers-on and eI-
pectants only from the hope of some self-pre-
ferment, it would be the grandest deliverance
and the highest distinction that any great po-
htical party has ever yet attained.
THE PENDING CAMPAIGN.
I have INDUCED in these remarks because
We have entered upon campaign which has
for its supreme object the task OF national ad-
ministration conducted upon principles which
we believe to be far more in accordance with
the welfare Of the people and the prosperity of
the entire country than those OF the republican
party, now in power and formidable by its array
of men and means to mislead the voters of the
land and 20 perpetuate their policy. We all
know that the two great questions on which
they are now making their appeal for
the suffrages Of the people are the tariff
and the force bill. The great monopolies are
with them; with us are the poor and struggling
classes. The country for nearly q generation
has been governed by their policy, and as the
result today there Is more discomfort, more in
security, more bitterness between classes, more
disorder, more violence in the land than ever
was known before. Is it not time to try some
other policy and see If the jealousy CT section,
Of race and Of class cannot be allayed.
II the restless elements Of our society cannot be
pacified, II the oppression on the one hand and
the lawlessness on the other which has so lately
dishgured our national character, interrupted
business, destroyed property and sacrificed hu-
man life In scenes Of riot and bloodshed, cannot
be eliminated from the forces and influences of
our marvellous civilization. What il the mean
ing Of the formation Of so many third parties
II all that we are told by the republican party
10 essentially true? No, gentlemen, It IL
not true. This wide discomfort In the land, In
part at least, arises from those conditions of
our civilization which the republican party in
its long dominance in power has imposed upon
the people. The measures propounded from
time to time as remedies for existing evils are,
Of course, wholly neutrality-suspicious.