The Portland daily press., 1896-04-14
DEMOCRACY'S FOUNDER.
Observance Of Birthday Of Thomas
Jefferson.
HELD AT HIS OLD VIRGINIA HOME
MONTICELLO.

Distinguished Democrats Present From
All Over the Country-Party Enter
tanned BY a Descendant of the Presi-
dent-Speech of the Day By Hon. VIM.
e. Russell.
Charlottesville, Va, April 13-Under
the auspices of the National Assooiation
of Democratic Clubs, the 153d anniver-
sary of the birth of Thomas jefferson,
was celebrated at Monticello. A special
train from Washington brought dis
tinguished party Of ma tional Democrats.
Among these were: Vice President
Stevenson, Postmaster General Wilson.
Attorney General Harmon. Secretary
Herbert of the navy and mum ber of
Senators and Representatives.
A number of local Democrats of promi-
nenoe from Washington were also of the
party, besides exGov. Russell of Massa-
chusetts, Senator Daniel of Virginia and
Hon. Chauncey f. Black of Pennsylvania,
the orators of the occasion.
The guests were driven to Monticello,
where Vice President Stevenson, the
Senators and representatives and the Ia
dies of the party were entertained at lun-
cheon by Mr.. Jefferson Levy, descen-
dant Of the great Democrat and present
owner Of the mansion.
The formal proceedings began with an
address blythe Hon. Chauncey Z. Black,
whose enunoiation of the sentiment of
left thot he r,rix oi,,1a ~f
Democracy was ga bsolutely acquiescence
in the decisions of the majority" was
heartily appIauded.
Ex-Governor Russell of Massachusetts
was received by the crowd with ringing
cheers. He spoke as though accustomed
to open air speaking and his sonorous
voice could be heard to the utmost con
fines of the assembly. His many patriotic
allusions and points were rapturously ap-
plauded. He said:
In the formation of the constitution,
and especially in it's development under
amendment and construction, there were
discussion and difference of opinion over
fundamental principles and the proper
scope and functions Of government. This
was natural. necessary and wholesome in
free and Intelligent people, and led in
oFioS1pay W oisision IAto partles. Ihe
very freedom of thought, speech and
action guaranteed in the early amend
ments meant such result. Political opin-
| ion was not to be coerced or controlled,
nor unanimity over policies or candidates
to be expected. Agitation, discussion,
not silence and Indifference, were the
"sternal vigilance" which should pre-
serve liberty. So were evolved political
parties with their policies and leaders,
their duties and responsibilities. The
time was ripe and the leaders were ready
Three stood foremost in public esteem,
conspicuous for their services, their in
huence and leadership.
First came Washington, loved by q
whole people whom he had led to victory,
established in peace and then governed
with devoted patriotism and impartial
ty which knew no party division and
could not limit his Influence to party
lines With the confidence of all and just
TO oil, he could preside over discordant
cabinet and govern divided people, put
could not be party leader. The work
must fall to his suhordinstss. So Hamil-
ton and Jefferson became the recognized
leaders Of distinct schools of political
thought and conflicting policies and par
ties, which each upheld with signal abili-
ty, and unquestioned patriotism. To
Hamilton, fond of English precedents,
reluctant to trust the people, doubtful
|
strong government seemed necessity for
their welfare and happiness and for the
preservation and liberty and property.
He would enlarge by construction the
powers of the constitution, create a CEN
trslized, paternal government, make it
dominant over dependent people rath-
eF than the subject of their sovereign
will. With sincerity and singleness of
purpose he sought no doubt the peoples
interest, but with his light he could find
it only through and under a controlling
power; and he looked upon them as the
subjects rather than the source of gov
ernment. Jefferson began at the other
end. In his mind stood first the rights
of the individual, next the power of the
people. and then 70 establish both gov
ernment guaranteeing freedom and rest
ing upon consent. The cornerstone of his
party was the truths he had asserted as
self-evident in the Declaration of Inde-