Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-14

and reverence for his political prinei- plss, William J. Bryan, af Nebraska.
 me Diffusion of Information and Ar Talgnm= nt of all Abuses at the Bar of fupAc Reason' Qrom Jefferson's in- augur1d address) James k. Jones of Arkansas. 0A
 Equal and Exact Justice to all Men Of Whatever State or Persuasion. Relip ious or Political" Richard P. Bland, of Missouri
 'The Declaration of Independence an enduring monument of that devotion of liberty and adherence of tyranny, which stamp the char.-ter and mark the whole course of the I@e of its author." Jos ssph c. Sibley, of PtS nsylvania.
 Peace, co,rk-seree and honest friend ship with all 1- ions, entangling alliances with none" Srom' the same address), John G. Lenticof Ohio
 An aristoloacy of wealth Is of more harm and digger than a benefit to soci- ety. (JcfferYssD, Andrew J. Lipscomb, of Virginia.
 "A jealouS care of the right of elec- ton by the tople. mild and safe c5rrec- tive of thots abuses which are topped by the sword cJf revolution in countries where pel<5eable remedies are unpro- vided," from Jeffersons inaugural ad- dress), William Sulzer, of New York.
 MT. Bryan said in part:
 "Thc democratic party is strong just in proportion as it proves true to the teach ings of its great founder. It is the mis- sion of the democratic party to chrystal- ize into legislation the principles which he taught. The party applies demo- cratic principles to the issues which arise from time to time. For many years the tariff question was the paramount issue and the democratic party advanced in position each year until in 1892 when it declared itself for a policy which meant substantially tariff for revenue only. But the president elected at that time, instead of proceeding to carry out that portion of the platform forced upon public attention an issue which had up to that time been considered secondary. Mir Cleveland mere than any other per son in this nation is responSible for the prominent position which the none tary question now occupies. It was his de- termination to complete the demonetiza- ton 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 gold standard and bmtallism was rccog- nized a contest between the money power and the common people, The explicit declaration in favor of free and unlimit- ed coinage at 16 to 1 without waiting for the aid or consent of any other nation was made necessary by the attempt of certain public men to evade the proceed ing platform. The party struggle which eliminated in the Chicago convention of necessity alienated a portion of the par ty. The party was placed in the position where it was compelled to indorse the financial policy of the people CT adhere to the doctrines and traditions of the party The position taken by the demo- cratic party in 1896 will not be surren- dered. If you doubt the permanency of the Chicago platform as a party creed go among the rank and file of the party and measure the zeal and enthusiasm which that platform has aroused and you will realize the impossibility of tax ing a backward step. True, the present ;e Inc h attention to the tariff but If our reason ing Is well founded an increase of taxes cannot restore prosperity to the produc- CTS of wealth.
 permanent prosperity the democratic party will not be in position to win contest by opposing It: If, on the other hand, the Dingley bill proves disap- pointment to those who advocate 1t, our position of 1896 will be strengthened. and public attention will be r.vetted upon the fact that the causs of financial depreEs- ion is to be found in our monetary sys- encourage the followers of Thomas Jeff ferson. The spring elections indicate a growing sentiment along the lines of the Chicago platform. In faet the elections which have taken place show such great gains that the republican party may now be considered a minority party. It has but one hope of escape from the wrath to come, and that is to secure bimetallism by international agreement before the people of the nation have another oppor- tunity to speak at the polls. While we, who believe in independent bimetalllsm, generally regard an international bimet- allism as neither necessary or possible, we may well wish success to any who may make the attempt to secure foreign assistance If our opponents succeed in opening the hints of other nations as we as their own hints, we shall reoice be- cause the people will be improved and they will be able to proceed with other remedial legislation. If, however the re- publican party after pledging itself to itself unable to fulfill that pledge, its ex- pressed preference for a double stand ard will rise up to confront it if it at- tempts to continue longer the ills of the gold standard"
 Senator Jones, chairman of the demo- cratic national committee, in respond ing to his toasts, referred to the insults given Mir Bryan st Yale college and the refusal of the students there to hear him during the last campaign. He said:
 And this in New England the proud seat of our learning, whore men in the old days would have died to maintain the right of free speech"
 The result of the recent municipal elac- tions, he said, showed that the cities which in the last campaign were the strongho'ds of the republicans had re- gained their senses md had rallied to the standard of him who fourded the demo- cratic party and whose motto was Equal and exact justice to all"
 After the set toasts had been responded to- there were many impromptu speeches, and it was hours after midnight before the dinner broke up.
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