The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-14


that party must endure. SO long as free
American institutions shall exist, for
the life OF the one Is necessarily coeval
with the life of the other. II has sur
Eived all other parties just as jefferson
has survived all other political teachers
Ii mas met and vanquished one powerful
enemy after another. because they were
founded upon sordld plots and momen-
tary eXpedients. while 1t was founded
upon Interchangeable and imperlshalale
principles. upori which alone popular in
stltutlons can ever rest In real security
The party has erred and suffered, but
1t cannot perish. for like Israel, It car
rleS Its covenant and must prevail.
Many OF Its principal representatives are
now, just about an hundred years after
It's organization. gathered here, at the
tomb of the founder. to avow his immor-
tai name with fresh reverence to de-
clare anew their devotion to the great
truths taught by him. and to solemnly
reiterate their engagement made with
the American people by every genera
ton OF Democrats. since the foundatio
OF the Constitution, that whenever and
wherever entrusted with power they will
administer 1t according to his principles.
for the sole benefit of the masses
Let us here. invoking his pure spirit,
and remembering his devout trust in the
wisdom Of the people, as a whole. i'm
Union to put aside all minor differences
all local or temporary questions, and
unite for the preservation of the Con-
stitut!on itself Shall II be said of this
generation of Democrats, that by reason
of Insane chickering's over non-essentials.
they lost the heritage of their fathers? :?
Can we look posterity In the face. IL in
the last year of the century made fa-
nous by the accession Of Jefferson and
the Democratic party In the first the
conditions shall be reversed? Should
those who rel!giously believe in Demo-
cratic principles refuse TO be separated
upon any subject whatsoever but re-
solve TO so into approaching elections
upon Jeferson's primary pr;ncipleo f
absolute acquiescence in the decisions
OF the majority" a Jeffersonian Presi-
dent will stand on March 4. 1897, and on
March 4, 1901, where Thomas Jefferson
stood on March 4, 1901, and the new CEN
tury will dawn with as brilliant a prom
ise to our children as this one brought to
our forefathers
On the fiftIeth anniversary of the De-
claration of independence Thomas JEFF
ferson and John Adams lay dying. At
noon the author of the declaration was
no more. AT sunset the ''Colossus"
breathed his last His last words were.
Jefferson still lives" And they were
true. Jefferson lives and must live. as
long as there are frecmen in the world,
IN testimony OF this truth, we, members
or his indestructible party. are here to-
day. In further testimony OF the same
truth and significant OF the harmony
which should prevail among true Demo-
Gratis, North and South. East and West,
one of the youngest but most brilliant
Of Jefferson's disciples now i!ving.
brings the tribute of the great State of
John Adams TO the mighty fame and
~ - tnu 80 l.,-
colleague.
l have the honor TO introduce to you,
as the orator of the day, the dlstin-
guish Ex-Governor of Massachusetts,
the Hon. William E. Russell
Governor RusseIrs Speech.
Ex-Governor William L. Russell 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 pa
triotic illusions and points were raptur-
ously applauded He spoke as follows
In this sacred place, which recalls the
birth and life of our party, in the pres
ence of this distinguished gathering
which represents Its fighting force. and
Its true and resolute leadership, l esteem
1t great honor and privilege TO speak
of its history and principles.
We meet to-day as Democrats to
pledge our loyalty TO our party and TO
consult together for the promotion of
It's interests but. first and foremost, we
meet as Americans, to serve our coun-
try and to keep our party steadfast T.
her welfare. AS Americans and Dem
ocrats we honor the memory of him
whose birthday we celebrate. and out
of whose life and work were lately
wrought the independence and stability
of our nation and the principles and
policies which have made her great and
glorious. His work was fundamental
national. establishing Equality, liberty
creating great republic enlarging It's
territory, and making 1t supreme over
continent and respected everywhere
He founded great party as the neces-
sary instrument to accomplish large pur-
poses and the permanent power to main
tain and force undying principles AS
his work was national, so has It earned a
nations gratitude. Massa achusetts, which
neither in his day nor ours has been
always Democratic. Joins his faithful
Virginia in honoring his patriotic SER
vices: and for the old Bay State. rising
above partisanship. i may be permitted
to pay her tribute TO his memory. Then
we as Democrats will add tribute to
him as the father of Il party whose faith
we profess, as the political leader to
whose teaching we ever turn for help
and guidance.
Here In the home, where he wrote and
taught the truths of democracy, and
now on the eve of our party's twenty
an