Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-04-23

At Monticello, Va, on Monday, at
the celebration of Thomas Jefferson 3
birthday anniversary, feature of the
occasion was the address by ex.Gov.
William Il. Russell of Massachusetts.
Its full text is as follows:
We meet to-day, as Democrats to
pledge our loyalty to our party and to
consult together for the promotion of
its interests: but, first and foremost,
we meet as Americans, to serve our
country and to keep our party steadfast
to her welfare. AS Americans and
Democrats we honor the memory of him
whose birthday we celebrate. and out
of whose life and work were largely
wrought the independence and stability
of our nation and the principles and
policies which have made her great
and glorious. His work was funda-
mental, national, establishing equality,
liberty, creating great republic, On.
larging its territory, and making it su-
preme over continent and respected
everywhere. He founded great party
as the necessary instrument to accom-
plish large purposes and the permanent
power to maintain and enforce undying
principles. AS his work was national,
so has it earned nations gratitude.
Massachusetts, which neither in his
day nor ours has been always Demo
cratic, joins his faithful Virginia in
honoring his patriotic services, and for
the old Bay State, rising above par.
tisanship, / may be permitted TO pay
her tribute to his memory. Then we
as Democrats will add tribute to him
as the father Of a party whose faith we
profess, as the political leader TO whose
teaching we ever turn for help and
guidance.
Here in the home whore he wrote and
taught the truths Of Democracy, and
now on the eve of our party's 25th
Presidential campaign, it is fitting for
us to consider his teaching, the prin-
ciples he proclaimed, the conditions
out of which they sprung, their apnli-
cation to present issues, and then the
secret of his successful and powerful
leadership. In the days of war, when
the Northern soldier going to the front
entered the Old South Meeting House
in Boston, he reverently raised his cap,
for voice within its homely walls
spoke to him and sent him forth a
Drawer, truer man. We Democrats, now
going forth to battle, reverntly pause
at the tomb of Jefferson to catch the
inspiration Of his voice.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF A CENTURY.
We remember that the party he
founded has had an unbroken life of a
hundred years; that it has controlled
the national government for more than
one half of it's duration; that it has
VIGOROUSLY led the people in an
our foreign wars: that under its SWAY
our national domain was extended along
the gulf and the Mississippi and clear
TO the Pacific slope; that it fathernd
tho settlement Of the great Northwes;
and the upbuilding of mighty States
that it established our flag and com
merce on the sea, asserted everywhere
the rights OF American citizenship aud
created the foreign policy which from
Monroe to Cleveland has boen deemed
essential to our safety. II has resisteC
always the control Of government BY
monopoly and organized wealth; it hai
given power to tho people, trusted them
made their welfare its mission and thei1
will law. 1t has stood for individual FREQ
dom, defending the sailor from furoigr
impressment, tho Catholic against til,
prescription of bigotry, and every citi
zen against Unnecessary burdens, re
strictions or taxation. 1t has proachet
and practiced economy, exposed ant
denounced corruption, extravaganza
and the abuse Of power for selfish o
personal ends. 1t has met, defeated ant
outllved all its opponents and is still il
power and in the full strength Of yip
orous youth, II lives and rules bncaus
it has living gospel iust and endur
ing principles and eyer work for then
to Do, We link its present to its past
not as rcminiscence, hgtan inrentiyn
and turn 10 Jefferson mt as a hlessct
memory but as still odf leader.
u NEW occasions teach uew duties
Y uiue makes ancient good uncnuth.n
II is only to those who would "unlocl
the futur ) portal with the mast
blood .ru5ln" Soy" a9l to those VII,
would solve present yruhlems viii
principles which haya been IN
strength the lery bulWarS Of the lib
erty and prosperity Of free anu hi,u,,
people ln these days Of wild Theories
OF schemes to misuse the powcr an,
the functions ! government for selfisl
ends, IN the midst Of doubt and Clisror,
withip and without party lines.
surely Is we'll for the neople Ia turl
back TO rhe teaching Of .Jcirrrsor !,
the tempest tossed mariner nlrns +
the aun for the true RECKONING wLic
shall set his ship upon her course. n
understand this teachinu Whir
rounded great party established ref
mahent principles and guided our Be
punllG lot US consider briefly the run
ditlons out Of which it Was evolved.
LIBERTY, EQUALITY, sEGF.GoyEliNNnyr
Tho colonial settlements wor
neither crusade nor ru0uurei
Our furCfathers tho pioneers vb
pushed mp the James river pad tL
pilgrims who braycd the wintry ~.
of Massachuaotts hay had no his, ia
glory or ior gold. Theirs waa Il hetfei
"orthler mission. Iheg caile 10 5.frl5
10 plant to rean WHrre they miuL
worship God with ircdom Of rpn
science, live on equality each with IN
other and bo sUbi6at to laws d
lhelr own making ald 4 government q
lhelr 1%n choice IEer brought will
them their tiaatilHa, RELIGION md HI
stItniions, but best Of all an urrnn
qierabe Anslo-Saan salf relianca an,
i,nuepehuence, III Jamestown and il
flym9uth. their simn.e prayer q Go,
vas mat for thefr ana their rhildrai
Ihe seed time might De followed by tn,
harVeat' But ta eccl was libert,
equality self government and tho hnr
Vest was to be mutton of equal laws
fistiis fisst! ana privileges, whero each nigh
"'-'oh ms own fortune and all nave