Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-02-20


The regular Meeting of the Bayard
Democratic Legion, Monday, was an
occasion of unusual interest There
was presentation to be made, to the
Legion's library, of full set of
Chambers Encyclopaedia, from Hon.
Thomas f. Bayard, Ambassador TO
Great Britain. The presentation was
made by the Ambassador son, Thomas
T.. Bayard, Jr., of this city.
The Legion convened in regular ses
sion, and after tho routine order of
business was disposed of a committee,
with ex- Postmaster Robert Ii. Taylor
as chairman, was appointed to receive
Thomas f. Bayard, Jr.. the repre-
sentative of the Ambassador on this
occasion. The committee met him in
the reception room ana escorted him to
the meeting room, when the meeting
was at once reconvened.
Previous to the presentation, John
G. Farra read a letter from Ambas-
sador Bayard, conveying his gift to
the Legion. An extract from the let
ter is as follows:
"There is no occupation more
elevating and honorable than attention
to political duty. and under popular
such duties is greater than any other.
"It is the high and responsible priyi.
lege of an American citizen tnat he is
called upon to consider and decide, the
gravest and most important public
questions and policies; such as else
where are confided to few privileged
rulers
"To be worthy therefore, of such
citizenship. a man should be intelli-
gent, honest and independent. 1t is
his duty to examine carefully, decide
fairly and speak out hravely, on every
public question.
Thomas r. Bayard. Jr., then made
the presentation of the handsome adj
dltion to the Legion's library, on be.
half of his father. He briefly conveyed
the Ambassadors sincere compliments
to the Democratic organization that
bears his name, and expressed his hope
that the gift would be a welcome and
appreciated gift to the Legion's
library.
The present was received by William
B. Norton, president of the Legion, in
neat and appropriate address,
Next Mr. Farra read the following
letter from Henry l.. Bryan of Wash
ington, who was for number of years
private secretary to Mr.. Bayard:
Washington, u. Q. Feb II, 1896. Will
liam b. Norton, ESD, President Bayard
LegionDea Sir: feel greatly
obliged for tho invitation to be pre-
sent at the meeting of the Bayard
Legion, Monday night, the 18th in
stant and very much regret that
previous engagement deprives mo of
the pleasure of attending that meeting.
The name of your association,
whether viewed as derived from that
citizen of Delaware, whose greatest
pride is always to be reckoned as a son
of her soil, or IL taken from that ancient
Chevalier who graces the pages of
history with clear light, casting all
meaner and sordid natures into the
shade Of deserved obscurity-is one
that any man may glory to wear as an
accepted order of merit.
True to the principles of either pro-
totype, mtF every member of the
Legion ever be without fear" to
battle for the principles of the great
party which, in spite Of errors and tho
efforts of false self constituted leaders
to lead il astray from its onward, up
ward path, has been without re-
proach" the constant champion of the
rights of all men and the valiant foe
to the forces seeking by lowering the
level of the many to elevate the few to
plateaus of luxury and ease.
Again thanking you as the president
of the Legion for the kind invitation,
| am, Very sincerely yours,
Henry L. Bryan.
The following resolutions, offered by
John @. Farra, were adopted unani-
mousy, by rising vote.
Resolved, That the Bayard Legion
Democratic Club, in accepting the ad-
ditions to our library presented by
Hon. Thomas Il. Bayard, hereby ex-
press our thanks for the thoughtful re-
lnembrance of the leader whose name
we have borne in the cause of
Democracy for tho past % years.
Resolved, That we take this oppor
tunity to place on record our gratifica-
tion (which is shared by our fellow
citizens who know him bestl, that his
career as representative of our country
abroad has 50 largely aided in further
cementing the bonds of friendship be-
tween the two great English speaking
nations. We also, as members of that
party whose underlying purpose has
ever been to secure the rights of all
our citizens, feel just pride that his
devotion to the best interests of the
whole people of his country, to the
advancement of whose welfare he gives
his zeal and talents, has made him the
target for onyious arrows, lmpelled by
partisan, spite and malice, which harm
iessly strike against the impregnable
armor of his true patriotism, and, fall
ing shattered to the level of the origin,
will be speedily lost in oblivion.
Resolved, That believing the welfare
of our people depends upon government
established on tho true principles Of
Democracy advocated by our dis
tinguished fellow citizen, we will, in
the future, as in the past, devote oui
energies to their advancement.
An informal occasion followed with
short speeches by members OF tht
club. President Norton entertainingl.
gave brief sketch of the organization
and of the work it had done in tbs
cause of the Democratic party. FIX
Postmaster Taylor, Chief of Police
Dolan, j. W. Aydon, Daniel O'Niell
b. j. McVey, w. H. Moreland anC
others also spoke briefly.
Attempted Suicide.