Lancaster enterprise. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1891-1905, 1897-04-28
BRYAN ON JEFFERSON.
Eloquent Democratic Speech
Made In Wash hinEton Last Tues.
day.

Inc Io4 anniversary oil the birth
of Thomas Jefferson was cele-
bra ed in Washington last Tues
day, and the principal speaker of
the occasion was Hon. VIM. j.
Bryan. He spoke in part as fol-
lows:
''The Democratic party Is
strong just in proportion as it
proves true to the teachings of it's
great founder. 1t is the mission
of the Democratic party to crys-
tallize into legislation the princi.
pies which he taught. The party
applies Democratic principles to
the issues which arise from time
to time.
"For many years the tariff
question was the paramount issue,
and the party took more ad-
vanced position each year until
1892, when it declared itself in
favor of a policy which meant
substantially tariff for revenue
only. but the president elected at
that time, instead of proceeding
to carry that portion of the plat
form, forced upon public atten-
tion an issue which had up to that
time been considered secondary.
"Mr. Cleveland, more than any
other one person In this nation, is
responsible for the prominent po-
sition which the money question
now occupies. 1t was his determl.
nation to complete the demoneti-
zation of silver and make the
gold standard perpetual that
aroused the masses of the United
States to active resistance.
"The struggle for supremacy
between the god standard and
bimetallism was recognized as
contest between the money power
and the common people. The ex-
pllcit declaration in favor of free
and unlimited coinage at 16 to 1,
without waiting for the aid or con-
sent of any other nation, was
made necessary by the attempt of
certain public men to evade pre-.
ceding platforms.
"The party struggle which cul-
minated in the Chicago conven-
tion of necessity alienated a por-
tion of the party. The party was
placed in the position where it
was compelled to endorse the fl
nancial policy of the president or
adhere to the doctrines and ira
ditions of the party.
''The position taken by une
Democratic party in 1896 will not
be surrendered. If you doubt the
permanency Of the Chicago plat
form as a party creed, 60 among
the rank and file of the party and
measure the zeal and enthusiasm
which that platform has aroused, i,
and you will realize the impossi-
bility of taking a backward step.
True, the present administra-
ton is attempting to turn public
attention to the tariff question,
but if our reasoning is we'll found
ed an increase of taxes cannot
restore prosperity to the pro.
ducers of wealth.
''If the Dingley bill brings gen.
eral and permanent prosperity the
Democratic party will not be in a
position to win a contest by op-
posing it. If. on the other hand
the Dingley bill proves disap-
pointment to those who advocate
it, our position of 1896 Will be
strengthed, and public attention
will be riveted upon the fact that
the cause of financial depression
is to be found in our monetary
system.
There is much in recent events
to encourage the followers of
Thomas Jefferson. The spring
elections indicate a growing SEN
timent along the lines of the Chi
cago platform. In fact the elec.
tions which have taken place
show so great gain that the Re.
publican party may now be con-
sidered a minority party.
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