New-York tribune., 1896-04-14
AT THE JEFFERSON DAY CELEBRATION OF THE
YOUNG MEMS DEMOCRATIC CLUB HE GOES
FOR THE ADMINISTRATION IN
VIGOROUS STYI.E-A LETTER

Tom L. Johnson the Democratic pacemaker or
1892 the Democracy might find the man VINO
could win in 1896 The sentiment was enthusi-
astically cheered. Mr. Johnson's speech was as
follows:
and mean another: to bamboozle friends and re-
ward enemies; TO make platform that looks TWO
ways disputed questions, asking "a little or poh
and not much of either" This is no time to strad-
die. Let us face facts In 1895 we are likely 10 pe
beaten Straddling certainly cannot save US; ~
only add disgrace to defeat. Even H. wlthout
evasion or equiyocation or mental reservation; We
beaten. But we shall save honor, gain courage. ana
in present defeat make future victory sure
OPEN CONFESSION.
Bitter experience should teach us. In 1899 we won
victory as great Jefferson won in 1900 In 1876
the Democratic party Is broken. discredited. de-
graded The reason Is plain. In 1892 We asked FOR
power that we might Kill protection, abolish trusts
reduce taxation. We given the power. Now
1t is 1896 What protected ring has been even weak,
In the hands of Democratic Administration the
money power that Jefferson feared has been
the monstrous expenses Of Government are being
paid by issuing bonds: and wages are lower ana
II these are fruits of Democracy what wonder
that the people turn to the other thing Mise N sa men
they do. "By their fruits shall ye know them
DELAY AS GOOD AS APPROVAL.
Our victory Of 1892 was popular verdict against
McKinleyism yet Mckinley himself seems certain
to be tte Republican nominee this year. and to be
trlumphanty elected. But the masses believe In
McKinleyism nc more to-day than they did In lsy2
The strength of Mckinley is at bottom a revolt
misrue. The Democracy have put on the oid
s sear Of viii h be IN
Democratic Administration got into power ,ne pro
little worse than the Mckinley BIZ on the county
US nothing that MIR Cleveland refused to sign ,,t the
shameful surrende into which the orlginai wilson on
delay gave il the same indorsement as his sigma
ture. and only enabled the Sugar Trust 10 Pocket
bill have been labelled Democratic reform" and
the wave Of Jefferson!an sentiment tha ga gaVe
victory in 1892 is rising TO overwhem US IN 1885,
PRINCIPLES NOT DEAD.
Make no mistake The principles OF Jefferson are
not dead. Though denied by official Democracy
they are reviving In the hearts Of the people They
are coming to the front steadily and swiftly in the
quiet but irresistible growth OF the sngletax idea
they 10 be seen in the strength OF the Tree sVep m
xac n Of me nepnaS in the
publican ranks The AMERICAN people no. VIII no.
to tell them what they shall eat and what they shall
drink how they shall buy ana now my prisons and
no better relief for poverty than alms-a pa,ernsd
ism that is Strengthening standing armes armies snI ar
cities to insure the protection OF special rriV"eses
against the only enemy they fearIthe people, and
for the people shall perish from the earth the
5ncpsi Of p mut shem Ge nd that vii
oTward saA to he seiement Of the question and
the railroad question and the liquor question. and
the question and the poverty que'uMon' M h asau M
of equal rights to all and special privileges to none
This party must come II not this year. then iater
II not under the Democratic name then under some
other And when It comes IT will come with power
The masses are ready ior H.
CORRUPT FINANCES.
Take this free-erver movement. think the silver
fanatics are as wide OF the truth as the gold wor-
shippers and regard bimetallism as an impossible
evasion But the real strength OF the demand for
free silver in the West and South is not the desire
CT the silver kings TO market their metal. nor ye;
the desire to degrade the currency. II Is protest
against the prostitution OF the National Govesnmen,
such corrupting jobbery as We have seen ,,, IN the
ss hsn an hy 10 aoh in market
party that viii apply the Jeffersonian principle TO
e buk o e The q
a National currency Is neither gold nor silver nor
only equal tass is tina, Of the National credit It
the banking business or to loan its credit to banks
the proper function of to to issue S
interchangeable for it's bonds that IT may increase
The eepsae power o; Yin or decreasing the cca
ing medium OF exchanges cannot safely be left TO
This viii be denounced by the go.d-worshppers.
who through the Reform Club have been advo-
Sacksm: s But what of that? j. is sound sens.
and Jefrersonian doctrine For Thomas jefferson.
What would be called to-day a sreenbacker.
He was for "a paper currency bottomed on tax
/ alton"
TAXATION A VITAL QUESTION.
Yet the money question. important as it is is
trivial compared to the question OF taxation.
This q the vital question 1t here that
made the fatal mistake in 1897? Let not
peat II In 1896. There Is use Of two pro-
tectionist parties Il the Democratic party. would
declare for the Jefferson principle OF free trade.
Not strssr trade but free trade /! must strike
tariff for only. but the abolition OF all
@ fSr s s nnE for AnH
+ tariff for revenue must tax the poor more than
rings Fl e to raise the
for the only practicable free trade-no tariff at all.
tax party w Vsry ase ws I The snsetx des but
the logical Application to our times and our o needs
Certain to win as in 1850 The idea was
certain to win. The moment the Democratic party
/ have a principle and future. So may 1t be!
The following letter from Henry George was
read:
April 10. 1896.
E. Gas.Sn H.ssIns;c,ham ss;ah. m o. % ss.s IN.
Jefferson dinner Of the Manhattan S!ngle-Tax Club
s X. SaSas CUB ss o
Brooklyn, IN their recognition OF the anniversary OF
1 the birth OF the greatest OIL American DEMOCRATS
As one OF the Democrats utterly tired OF following
sham Democracy that knows nothing OF Demo
cratic principle, and resolved wherever the choice
comes between two protectonists to vote for the
! Republican protectionst as less dangerous to the
principles Of Jefferson than the Democratic protec
! tionst wish 10 express my deep appreciation OF
! the efforts Of your club to Undue the party which
ought TO be hs with the principles OF the Jeffer-
sonan philosophy. II this can be done the Demo
s. nd S NO sD se Sa
than those followers OF Jefferson who. for want OF
a better name, are now known as singletaxers
Yours since: ely HENRY GEORGE.
! w. p Ferguson. president Of the club, was In
the chair. At his right was Andrew Mclean. and
at his left Justice Gaynor The others at the
speakers table were Senator Gallagher. Edward