Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-04-16
Jsirersooian Democracy and sound Money

JsiTersonian Democracy and Sound Money
There was distinguished gathering
OF Democrats at Monticello, Va, on
Mnoday, within sight of the tomb of
Thomas jefferson. They had assembled
to appropriately observe the birthday
anniversary of the great citizen who is
recognized as the founder of their
party, and to pay their choicest tributes
to his honored memory There were
admirable addresses by orators from
Pennsylvania, from Massachusetts, and
from Virginia, and the event, by reason
of the character of the gathering, the
commanding position of the speakers,
and the historic associations that
cluster about the place of meeting,
will so into history as one of the most
significant political happenings Of this
years campaign.
The orators of the day were Hon.
Chauncey f. Black Of Pennsylvania,
Hoa. William e. Russell of Massachu-
setts and Senator John W. Daniel of
Virginia. 1t is needless to say that the
addresses were of the highest ORDER
but il can with truth be added that tho
oration Of Ex-Governor Russell was Of
unusual merit, and conspicuous for its
bold declaration in favor of the car
dinal Democratic principle of honest
money. Upon this point, after beau
tiful and effective word-picture of tho
character and democracy of Thomas
Jefferson, he said:
Ono further question remains. for
whose solution We turn to Jefferson
for help and guidance We arc in the
midst Of earnest agitation over our
monetary standard. Tho agitation
crosses party lines and tends to geo
graphical division. 1t involves the
welfare of our country and demands ex-
plicIt and courageous treatment. To
Jefferson it could never be an issue
between Colorado and Wall street, or
between debtor and a creditor class.
Ills broad democracy abhorred geo
graphical and class division. With true
patriotism he would ask where lie the
honor and credit of our common coun-
try, whore rest the interests of our
whole people? For one | believe that
our country's honor demands acrupulous
tidellty to her plighted word. honest
payment of her obligations, and that
the peoples interest is best served by
strictly uphoding here the monetary
standard of the civilized world. Free
coinage Of silver, or its compulsory
purchase, or amy compromise legisa-
tiOn by us in that direction, in my
judgment is distinctly class legislation,
which would unsettle business, i'm.
palr credit, reduce all savings and the
value of all wages, and whose iniuri-
GUS results no man can measure. We
arc still ready, as we always have been,
to confer with other nations upon any
sound system OF international bimetal-
llsm. have misunderstood the teach
ing OF Jefferson and the traditions and
principles of our party if thay do not
support this view, and sustain Demo-
cratic administration in its resnlute
enforcement Of it, With Jefferson truth
never lay in compromise Of principle,
nor success in evasion Of resronsibility
Nor will they with us. Let us leave
compromise and expediency to the re
publican party, which is ever ready TO
trim and evade, to harmoni2e its war
ring factions. Lot u.s. if need be, through
discussion and agitation, find the truth,
hrayely assert it, and trust our cause
To tho conscience and patriotism Of tho
people
These are brave words, as well as
true, for they were uttered in a sec
ton Of the country where many Demo-
Gratis have wandered from their Old
Democratic faith in hard, honest
money to follow after the false gods Of
free silver coinage But the able
chammon Of sound Democracy from tho
old Bay State had the courage to point
ont the path Of honor and safety ID
these cTing Democrats, aud show them
tnat thoir course was in contravention
Of the teachings of the great Democrat
whoae birth they were celebrating.
Iho brave utterancos Of ex- Governor
Nusaoll brought forth response from
Senator DauicI, the eloquent chan
pion OF the free silvor coinage folly.
but the reply could not break the force
Of tho aamonitioa. lho episode was
pleasing, however, iAe discussion pass.
inS oi with the best oi good feeling.
The entire celebration was a ereat sue.
cess, and its choicest feature was the
unrompromising declaration in favor
Of honest money hy tho man who
thrice led the Democratic party to vic.
tory in tho Republican stronghold Of
Massachusetts,
Nir. George B. Goodwin of Now York,
u letter o the Woai, writes as fol-
lows Of eS Governor 5oIl III Nassa.
chusetts as tic Democratic candi3at,
for President oi the United States:
William n. ltus4cl Wauld pot onI,
make an admirable candidate. but. .uU.lel
such conditions as arc iisrIy to exist,
winning cua The old timers woull
rally to his standard hrcauso his su,.,
time 9emucraei jeirersuri4n. jack
senlan, i5entuniaa and the Young mon
ihe Democratsand independents. amots
tHrm would support hiB .audidar,
WIN enthusiasm because his Dtaucrac,
Is sound, hls head il lowed and he car
Ilea iht4 hl4 p@lttcgl daiugs magnet
ism aad enthuslaSm luat uegel those
Ie"t'l!a4 fn nrhrssary % oaa Who Is /,
le4li great party 10 victory
lle Hihion II iaat gaining groul,
that oS Governor Eussel would mal.
go iioaI caaIuato, lio ia popula
lasdDr iigIIar who sora up asafns
apparently losparato0dds and ov5rromo
tapun iie is sauai ou tariff reform
aaa an n1dinehiHl aivaaafrof Aaaoa
mg'rH lie ina Haa of brains ami o
iurg"iUi huracte 30 better r5n
hHal.On of fayOrfHt. .f.afr.,te. G5,l..I. H..