The times., 1897-04-13
.UNF[|NCH|NG IN THE CAUSE.
The National Democratic Club
Committee Acts Well.
BENTON McMILLIN HONORED
Executive Committee Addresses Fell
ciples Essential to Republics
Preservation = The Monstrous
Tariff Bill.

The new executive committee of the Ma
tional Association of Democratic Clubs
met in the red parlor of the Ebbitt House
yesterday for organization. President
Chauncey +. Black, of Pennsylvania, called
the meeting TO order, and asked for the
nomination of "a chairman. which resulted
in the unanimous choiceof Hon Ben ton Nc
Millin, who viii serve during the next four
years.
The members of the committee present
were Hon. Benton McMillin, of Tennessee;
L. Chambers Smith OF North Carolina, Lloyd
l.. Jackson of Maryland, Hon. Charles j.
Faulkner of West Virginia, George Fred
Williams OF Massachusetts, Joseph c. Sib
ley of Pennsylvania Mr.. William Jennings
Bryan attended as the proNy y. for James c.
Dahman of Nebraska, j. II. Biech for
George II. Lambert of New Jersey, Hon w
H. King for c. C. Richards of Utah. Hon.
John Allen for Senator II. D. Money OF
Mississippi, Hon. John q. Mcguire for Sen
ator S. NJ White of California, Senator
Chiffon for ex-Gov. Hogg of Texas, and
Hon NJ E. Benton for eX-Gov. Stone OF
Missouri.
w. s. Mexican, OF New Jersey, acted as
secretary in the absence of Mr.. Lawrence
Gardner, who was unable TO be present
owing To the serious Illness OF his mother.
Considerable important business was
transacted by the committee, and much
enthusiasm manifested by ali present. 1t
was clearly evident that every person
present was imbued with the sincere belief
that the Democratic cause was on the as
tendency. and that by thorough and per
sistent effort success would folio W in the
elections to come. Each membero the COM
mittee pledged his best efforts in behalf of
the organization, and promised to com
mence active work in the direction of club
organization. A resolution was adopted as
surng Senator Jones, of the Democratic
national committee, and Senator Faulkner,
of the Congressional Committee, the sup
port of the organization.
An outcome of the meeting was the
adoption of the following address:
Washington, D. c. April 2, 1897.
To the Democrats OF the United States:
The objects of this association as set
forth in It's constitution are these:
To foster the formation of permanent
Democratic clubs and societies through
out the United States and insure their
active cooperation in disseminating JEFF
fersoniau principles OF government.
To preserve the Constitution of the United
States, the autonomy of the states, local
seIf-government and freedom Of elections
To resist revolutionary changes and the
Capitalization of power.
To oppose the imposition of taxes be-
yond the necessities sofGoverrmente econom-
ically administered.
To promote economy in all its branches
OF the public service.
To oppose unnecessary commercial re-
strictions for the benefit of the few at the
expense OF the many.
To oppose class legislation, which de-
spoS labor and builds up monopoly.
To maintain inviolate the fundamental
principle of Democracy" Equality be
fore the law and
To cooperate with the regular organiZa-
tion of the Democratic party in supper. of
Democratic men and Democratic meas
ures.
These are the principles of jefferson and
of the Demo cratic party. never sur
rendered or ahandonedin an y OF the numer-
Gus ana grave vicissitudes since the adoption
of the constitution and the formation OF
political parties. They are essential. as
every intelligent citizen is aware. to the
preservation OF the republic, and OF the
rights of the States and Of the people
Their Importance is self-evident, and we
do not propose any vindication or eX-
position of them.
But as members of the executive com
mittee assembled at a time when these
fundamental principles are about to be
dsregarded by an Administration recently
installed, and by large majority, of the
House OF Representa- tives, proceeding al
most avowedly to exert their fortuitous
power to lay the country and all its
industrial classes under tribute to q vast
combination OF monopoles, in utter con-
tempt of constitutional limitations of re-
publican principles and of popular rights,
we feel it our duty to call your attention
to the peculiar situation, and to urge you to
that vigilance which has ever been and ever
must he the price of liberty.
When an apparent ma jority of the votes
of the people was counted out of the bal
lot-boXes last year in favor Of the Re-
publican candidate for Pr esidcnt and Vice
President, while we deplored the result,
and were convinced that no possible relief
could be afforded by the party so re-
turned to power, we were more than will
ing to afford its agents every opportunity
to demonstrate whether or not their poll
cies were adequate.
In common with many who last year
voted Republican tickets under secret
protest, and with serious misgivings as to
the future, we supposed that the Admins
tration and it's friends in Congress charged