The herald., 1897-04-14
BRYAN TALKS
Recent Events Give Encouragement
to SilveriteS

to Silverites
WASHINGTON, April 1S.-The one
hundred and fifty-fourth anniversary
of Jefferson's birthday was celebrates
tonight at the Metropolitan hotel by a
subscription dinner given under the aus
pices of the National Association of
Democratic clubs. The first celebra-
tion of the anniversary of Jefferson S
birth occurred at the same hostelry, then
known as the Indian Queen. Jackson
was the guest of honor and the occa-
sion was made memorable by the pres
ence of Vice-president John C. Calhoun
and other Democratic leaders'of that
day. Tonight William ]. Bryan of Ne
braska the late Democratic candidate
for president, was the guest of honor.
Senators, representatives and others
conspicuous in the councils of the DEM
ocratic party, were present. Many OF
them were from distance.
Mr.. Bryan was greeted with lusty
cheer as he entered the hall. The menu
was carefully prepared and was similar
to such a dinner as might have been
served during Jefferson's days. The
dishes were all American creations and
each course, as far as possible, repre-
sented one section of the country. The
dinner began promptly at o'clock, an
orchestra playing national airs, blended
With southern melodies IN conform in
simplicity to the spirit of the dinner.
Toasts were composed and briefly re-
sponded to, except in the case of Mr..
Bryan, who spoke at length to the toast
of "Thomas Jefferson"
The order of the set toasts was as fol-
lows:
"Thomas Jefferson: We celebrate the
anniversary of his birth, not In the spirit
of personal idolatry, but from regard
and reverence for his political principles" "
William J. Bryan of Nebraska.
1.-THE diffusion of information and ar
raignment of all abuses at the bar OF
public reason" (from Jefferson's inau-
gural address)-James X. Jones of Ar
kansas.
Equal and exact justice to all men OF
whatever state of persuasion, religion
or politics. ."-Richard H. Bland of Mis-
souri,.
''The Declaration of Independence
an enduring monument of that devotion
to liberty and adherence of tyranny
whi,h stamp the character and mark
the whole course of the life OF its au-
thor."-,Ioseph c. Sibley of Pennsyl-
vania.
Peace. commerce and honest friend
shin with all nations. entangling alli-
ances with none" from the same ad-
dress)-John ]. Lentz of Ohio.
IAN aristocracy of wealth is of more
harm and danger than benefit to society"
Jefferson).-Andrew ]. Liscomb of
Virginia.
"a jealous care of the rights of cleo
tions by the people, mlder safe correc-
tive of those abuses which are Topped by
the sword of revolution in countries
where peaceable remedies are unprovil-
ed" (From Jefferson's inaugural ad-
dress. )--William Sulze- of New York.
Senator Jones, chairman of the Demo-
cratic national committee, in respond
ing to his toast referred to the insults
given Mr.. Bryan at Yale college and ihe
refusal of the students there 10 near him
during the last campaign. He said:
And this is New England, the proud
seat of our learning, where men in the
old days would have died to maintain
the right of free speech"
The result of the recen. municipal elec-
tions, he said, showed that the cities
which in the last campaign were the
strongholds of the Repupl! cans, had re-
gained their sense and had rallied to the
standard of him who foun !ed the Demo-
cratic party and whose motto was
Equal and exact justice % AL"
After the toasts had been responded to
there were many impromptu speeches,
and it was hours after Midnight before
the dinner broke up.
Mr. Bryan said in part: The Demo-
cratic party is strong just il proportion
as 1t proves true to tie teachings Of its
great founder 1t is th7 mission of the
Democratic party to crystalline into or
ganization the principles which he
taught.
The party applies Democratic princ-
pies to the questions which arise from
time to time For many years .he tariff
question was the paramount issue ard
the party took a more advanced position
each year until 1892. when 1t declared it.
self in favor of policy which meant sub
stantially a tariff for revenue oc.y. But
the president elected that time, instead
of proceeding to carry out that portion
of the platform, forced upon public at
tention an issue which up to that time
had been considered secondary. Mr..
Cleveland, more than any other person
In this nation, is responsible for the
prominent position which the money
question NOW OccupltS. IL WAS MS Oe-
termination to complet" the demonetiza-
ton of silver and make the gold stand
ard perpetual that aroustl the masses Of
the United States to active resistance.
The struggle for supremacy between the
gold standard and bimera'lisln was rec
ognized as contest betwaen the money
power and the common people.
The explicit declaration in favor of
free and unlimited coinage Mt Is 20
without waiting for the aid OF consent OF
any other nation was male necessary
by the attempt of certain public men t.
evade the preceding platform. The par
ty struggle which eliminated in the Chi
cago convention of Necessity alienated
a portion of the party. The party was
placed in the position where it was cem-
PEELED to endorse the financial olioy of
the president or adhere to the doctrine
and traditions of the parry. The posi-
tion taken by the Democratic party in
1896 will not be surrend ered. If you
doubt the permanency of the Chicago
platform as a party you shoul &c among
the rank and file of the party and meas
ure the zeal and enthusiasm which that
platform has aroused and you will real
ize the improba bility of taking a back
ward step. True, the presen. admins
d