The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-14
GOV. RUssELL's ADDRESS
One Hundredth Anniversary Of
Democracy.
MANY DEMOCRATS PRESENT
They Draw Fresh inspirations From
the Teachings of the Founder
of the Great Democratic
Party,

4 q
presence of this distinguished gather
ing which represents its fighting force
and its true and resolute leadership, I
esteem 1t great honor and priyil ege
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
meet as Americans, to serve our coun-
try and to keep our party steadfast to
her welfare. As Americans and Demo
Gratis we honor the memory of him
whose birthday we celebrate. and out
of whose life and work were largely
wrought the independence and stabili-
ty of our nation and the principles and
policies which have made her great
and glorious. His work was funda-
mental, national, establishing equali-
ty, liberty, creating a great republic,
enlarging its territory, and making it
supreme over q continent and respect
ed everywhere. He founded a great
party as the necessary instrument to
accomplish large purposes and the per-
manent power to maintain and enforce
undying principles. As his work was
national, so has it earned a nations
gratitude. Massachusetts,, which nei-
Their in his day nor ours has been al
ways Democratic, joins his faithful
Virginia in honoring his patriotic ser
vices; and for the Bay State, rising
above partisanship, may be permitted
to pay her tribute to his memory. Then
we as Democrats will add a tribute to
him as the father of our party whose
Gath 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 25th
Presidential campaign, it is fitting for
us to consider his teaching, the princi-
pies he proclaimed, the conditions ont
of which they sprung, their applica-
ton to the present issues, and then the
secret of his successful and powerful
leadership. In the days of war, when
the northern soldier going TO the front,
passed the Old South meeting house in
Boston, he reverently raised his cap,
for a voice within its honey walls
spoke to him and sent him forth a
drawer, truer man. We Democrats, 90
ing forth to battle, reverently pause att
the tomb Of Jefferson to catch the I'M
SEPARATION Of his voice.
DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S HISTORY.
We remembers that the party he
founded has had an mbrol1en life of o
hundred years; that it has controlled
the national government for more than
one-half of its duration; that ii has
VIGOROUSLY led the people in all our
foreign wars; that under its sway Our
national domain was extended along
the gulf and the Mississippi and clear
to the Pacific slope; that It fathered
the settlement of the great northwest
and the upbuilding of mighty States;
that it established our flag and COM
merce on the sea: asserted everywhere
the rights of American citizenship;
and created the foreign policy which
from Monroe to Cleveland has been
deemed essential to our safety. 1T has
resisted always the control of govern
ment by monopoly and organized
wealth; it has given power to the peo-
pie, trusted them, made their welfare
its mission and their will law 1t has
stood for individual freedom. defend
ing the sailor against foreign impress
ment, the Catholic against the pro-
scription of bigotry, and every citizen
against unnecessary burdens, restric-
tions or taxation. II has preached
and practiced economy, exposed and
denounced corruption, extravaganza,
and the abuse of power for selfish or
personal ends. It has met, defeated
and outliyed all its opponents, and is
still in power and in the full strength
of vigorous youth. TT lives and rules
because it has living gospel, just and
enduring principles, and ever work for
them to do. We link its present to its
past, not as a reminiscence, but an in
centiye, and turn to Jefferson not as d
blessed memory, but as still our leader.
If 'new occasions teach new duties"
if slime makes ancient good uncouth,
it is only to those who would unlock
the futures portal with the past's
blood-rusted key" not to those who
would solve present problems with
principles which have been the
strength, the very bulwark of the liber-
ty and prosperity Of free and happy
people. In these days Of wild theories,
of schemes to misuse the power and
functions of government for selfish
ends, in the midst Of doubt and discord
within and without party lines, Ii sure
ly is well for the people to turn back
to the teaching Of Jefferson, as the
tempest-tossed mariner turns 10 the
sun for the true reckoning which shall
set his ship upon her course. To un-
derstand this teaching, which founded
great party, established permanent
principles and guided our republic, let
us consider briefly the conditions out
of which it was evolved
BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC.
The colonial settlements were neither
crusade nor conquest. Our fore
fathers, the pioneers who pushed up
the james river, and the pilgrims who
brayed the wintry seas Of Massachu-
sets bay had no lust for glory or for
gold. Theirs was a better, worthier,
mission. They came to work, to plant,
to reap, where they might worship
God with freedom of conscience, live |
on equality each with the other, and