Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-14
True Blue Democrats from All SeC-
 tions of the State Assemble 2 Y !, TO SPEAK WORDS OF ELOQUENCE
Of the FOunder of ROck-Ribbed DefhocraCy-HiS
 Representative, the Matchless States and Stainless Leader,

1 Thornton, R. L. Thornton, John Terry, B. A Thompson, W. K. Terry, H. K. White, R. J. Waldrop, Capt. John White. | L. G. Woodson, Robt. Warnock, R. F. Wetmore, c. H. Greer, Phillip Cosminsky, | P B. Merry, J. J. Currie, c. L. Haley, loh'A- ~,t.5e=
 LETTERS or CONGRATULATIONS AND REGRETS.
 Letters were received from the follow l ing distinguished democrats: Hon. w. | J. Bryan, Chairman Jones, Senator Dan | iels, Hon. Joe Blackburn, Hon. Clark | Howell, Hon. Carter Harrison, Hon. Pat | rick Walsh, Hon. John R. Mclean, w. l D. Henderson, Hon. O. w. Underwood, 1 Gen. Joe Wheeler, John G. Winston A. H. | Aston, w. E. Quin, John T. Hefiin. w. E. | Richardson, Hon. John H Bankhead, L. | l.. Lee, N. Stallworth, Judge W. S. Thor | ington, A. F. Cory, J. Craig Smith c. w. i thews, c. R. Bricken, w. c. Phillips, w. i w. NeSmith.s N. B. Powell, Ben Lee AL | len, J. W. Gordy, J. J. Willett, Henry D. | Clayton, A. F. McCarty M. B. Cameron,
 Judge Jonathan Haralson; W P: New | man, Chas. F. Waller, Judge T. R. Me- l Clellan, John B. Simpson, Chapel Cory l w. l.. Parks, J. V. Allen, John F. Hub bard. B. l., Hubbard, E. W. Carmack, E. | M Robinson, R. F. Ligon, J. H. Bank | head. r. r. Pettus, Fergus W. Me | odlL A d. i1llN Sa.
 THE SPEAKING BEGINS. It was about 10 o'clock before the I speaking of the evening began. It was l about this hour when the toastmasteT, | MT. Tomlin:on, arose and proposed | toast to 'The Memory of Thomas Jeff | ferson, the Apostle of the Sovereignty of l the Common People," which the ban queters drank standing. His rising was | the signal for genuine burst of applause we'll worthy the man. MT. Tomlinson said, in substances:
 "After a conflict lasting through the century, between the Jeffersonian and Hamiltonian theories of our government, arecent writer of prominence claims that the Ha,niltopian theory of strong cen tpaliZed government, dominated by the powerful few in their own interests, has finally won in this country.
 DO the elections of last week in Ohio, Michigan and Illinois indicate that the followers Of Jefferson have finally lost? Yet these results. are only straws. A great and serious contest against most powerful foe is ahead of us.
 ''In the next few years the manhood of the masses; Of the American people is to be put to the test, Jefferson declared that we had the right of self-goyernment; but the great question now is, can we as- sert and maintain that inalienable right? That remains to be seen.
 Democrats are alive to the situation; they are wisely seizing every opportunity to empha size their principles as handed down by Thomas Jefferson, and pro- claimed by William J. Bryan; they are trusting only true democrats on their executive committees, and are advocating only such for local offices: and the man who wavars in this next fight they look upon, and rightfully so as either cow ard or a traitor to the cause.
 ''I am glad to see so many of our friends here tonight from over the state. Be- sides those present, many prominent written letters filled with patriotic sent- ment and good wishes. Extracts from these will be read later on in the evening.
 s"rffe committee on arrangements has selected certain men to respond to toasts. After these. it is expected that number of inpromptu toasts will be proposed by those around the table. The first toast on the programme "The Vitality of Democ- racy." will now be responded to by our distinguished guest of honor, Gov Jo- seph F. Johnston"
 Gov. Joseph F. Johnston-"The Vitality of democracy"
 Gov. Johnston arose amid great ap- plause and said:
 Mir Chairman and Fellow Democrats: I congratulate the democ of Alabama that amid all the contentious and strife and misrepresentations of the past for quarter of a century we have fought the good fight and preserved the faith and can assemble here tonight with every out
 
 in the hands of battle-scarred democrats, who have-n never sulked or lodged or de- serted the flag. congratulate you that we can stand tonight, and if Jefferson's spirit could return we would stand like the wise virgins with our vessels flowing with the oil of democracy and that he would find not single foolish virgin who had been coquetting with the republi- cans.
 The democratic party was born when the constitution of the United States was adopted. MT. Hamilton wanted the gov ernors of states appointed from Wash ington. If his wish had been consum- inated, would have been in devil of a fx. He believed in the concentrat ton Of .he power Of government at Washing ton. But the splendid red-headed states man from Virginia was present to thwart his designs. Other parties have sprung into existence and died, but the demo- cratic remains nd if we will hold on to the principles of Thomas Jefferson we will releGate those existing to the rear Democracy believes In the rights of every
 man being upheld Democracy never surrenders.
 Tn referring to William Jennings Bryan, he said he was splendid successor of Jefferson. In 1892 Cleveland received B. 500.000 votes. In 1896 Bryan was given 100000 more skar Grover received, and I stand here tonight and state that in spite. of the face of the returns Bryan was elected by an overwhelming ma iority. don't believe in going behind the re-