The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-09
GOLD BUG DEMOCRATS.
Celebration Of Jackson Day st
Chicago Auditorium.
Speech Of Editor Watterson
of Louisville.
Warhorses Of Old Democratic Party Gathered
at Banquet Table.

Chicago. Jan. 9.-The Auditorium was
filled to overfiowing last night with ma
tional Democrats from the middle west
northwest and south. The occasion was
the annual celebration OF Jackson day.
Fully 600 men attended, and the ban
quet was in many respects a notable af-
fair OF it's kind. Letters were received
from President Cleveland, Secretary
Morton and Senator John nj. Palmer, and
q large number of Democrats throughout
the country sending messages of regret
The parlors of the hotel were crowded
early in the evening, while a general re-
ception was held until the doors of the
banquet hall were thrown open at Z
o'clock.
Behind the head of the table at which
sat Franklin MacVeagh, the toastmasteI
OF the evening, was arranged beautiful
effect brought by the skillful draping OF
a number of American flags. 1t was
over two hours after the banquet hall
was opened before the toastmaster rose
to address the assemblage.
Mr.. MacVeagh congratulated all pres
ent and "all true Democrats upon this
significant gathering, because 1t is a
timely testimony and a distinguished
testimony to the permanence of Demo
cratic principles. and the occasion fits
the day. Those whom we represent have
a right to Jackson's day, for it has been
given to them as it was given to him, to
defend both the fortunes of the nation
and the principles Of the Democratic
party"
AS Mr.. MacVeagh took his seat, Mr..
Watterson. who was to address the com.
pany upon THE Future of Democracy"
rose to his feet. The ringing cheers that
greeted him made 1T impossible for sew
eral minutes for the eloquent Kentuclian
to proceed with his remarks.
Mr.. Watterson said in part: IF Old
Hickory were alive, and could lool in
upon us at this moment, ] have an inn
preston that he would conclude that the
Democracy. of which he was the embodi-
ment, is not only not dead, nor sleeping,
but that 1t lives and moves and has its
being, and Is scheduled to stay! Let US
assume that he is here; that his spirit
hovers over us, and likewise the spirits
of all the Democratic sages, from Jeffer-
son and Tilton to that bravest of the
brave, that Incompatible cavalier Of the
Old Bay state, who gave UP his young
life that Democracy might live. on the
very threshold of the last battle fol
honor, country and truth. During one
night at least let us consecrate this noble
theater as a temple of Democracy, OF
Democracy unterrified and undefiled; the
only kind of Democracy which Jefferson
taught and Jackson practiced!
1T was said during the political cam
paign which closed Nov. last that what
we call American institutions were on
trial; and, in a sense, 1t may be said that
what We call government is, more or less
always on trial. If, in the creation of the
world. God had meant to make anything
perfect, He would have begun with man,
whom we are assured He designed after
His own image. But man, at once the
source and resource of government, is
among living things, most fallible, and
as nothing can raise above its own level
except Populism and protection-hu-
man Institutes are apt to sink somewhat
below that level. The strife to fix 1t high
or low arises out Of Emergencies in opin-
ions among the combatants My reading
Of history, however, Is wholly at fault
If the good Of man be not the final re-
suit of every conflict; for truly believe
that, in the long run, truth is mighty and
will prevail"
Mr.. Watterson referred to the patriot
:sm Of Americans, which he said was
exemplified in the late campaign, when
millions of citizens who did not believe In
protection voted for Mckinley and mil
lions voted for Bryan, who had no
thought of striking at public order OF
repudiating a dollar either of public or
private Indebtedness "As far as am
concerned, and no mans Democracy can
60 back of mine-though / got 1t of JEFF
ferson, and not Of Tillman and Altgeld-
whenever good morals against bad
morals good money against bad money,
government against the mob, are the
issues, 1 shall go with that party which
stands true to the public credit and order.
no matter where it takes me. But, fol-
lowing this law of my being in the cam
paign just ended, I surrendered none OF
my original, individual opinions. To my
mind one issue absorbed all other is
sues. The public credit was at stake,
and, with it, the pubic order The de-
feat Of Mr.. Bryan, the election of Mr..
Mckinley, for the time being, secures US
both"
The speaker reviewed the history of
political parties in America, and said:
'Tn the late campaign the Chicago plat
form stood for organizing anarchy the
Republican platform for organized capt.
tai On this latter platform, can the vote
that elected Mr.. Mckinley be held to-
gether? If / thought 80 would not be
here tonight. do not think SO. On the
contrary / think that vote will 20 to
pieces IL ii be not cemented by some
thing more cohesive than the protec-
tive theory of tariff legislation and Re-
publican fiscal policy, which, to say the
best that can be said of it,is yet but
spectre bridegroom at the marriage
feast"
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
Hamlin followed Mr.. Watterson and
talked on Our National Administra-
ton" He was warmly received. His
speech was full of praise Of Andrew
Jackson, President Cleveland, Simon p.
Buckner, John M. Palmer and Secretary
Carlisle.
Letters from President Cleveland, Sec
retary Morton and John NJ. Palmer were
read and enthusiastically greeted.
General Buckner received an ovation
when he arose to speak for the state OF
Kentucky.