Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-14

From tho standpoint OF sentiment. no
more happy or appropriate day than yes
,ord.v tho anniversary OF the birtn Oh
Thomas Jefferson. could have peen Sc
,ected for issuing the address OF the
Executive Committee OF the Assoc'""o"
NJ Democratic Clubs. Nor could time
have been selected when actuai cohdi-
.,o,s and exnerience more vigorously en-
n,as,1ed the contentious I'm the address,
and the public mind was caicu'a'eu 10
be more responsive to the prihcipi's anu
truths 1t lays down.
The address should be read and d.
qested by every Democrat-aye py every
man who favors the maintenance OF
,rue republican form Of government. In
the opening of the address the ooJecS
NJ the association. as ringingly ana terse-
~ set forth I'm the latters constitution
are repeated. and I'm this repetition is
summarized the pure Democratic creed.
These objects are ito preserve the Con-
stltution of the United states, the auto
nomy of the States. local sen-goVerh-
ment. and freedom Of elections; 10 resist
revolutionary changes and the centraliza-
,ion of mower: to oppose the imposition
of taxes beyond the necessities OF gov
eminent economically administered; 10
promote economy in all branches OF the
pnblic service; to oppose unnecessary
commercial restrictions for the dement,
Of the few at the expense of the many
to oppose class legislation, which oe-
spoils labor and builds up monopoly; 10
maintain inviolable the fundamental
principles Of Democracy. equally before
the law" And in order to that great
and patriotic consummation, the assocla-
tion would foster the formation Of Demo
cratic clubs and societies throughout the
country. for the purpose Of cooperating
with the regular organization OF the
Democratic party in the support OF
Democratic men and measures.
The address then. among other things,
charges the party In power with further
disturbing the business of the people ny
rushing into a revision OF the tarih laws
for the sole purpose of repaying the vast
outlaws of the combined monopolies dur
ing the last campaign. and when 1t comes
TO treat of the currency question and the
manner in which the Republican party
has broken faith with the masses on
that issue, says:
"While all industries languish. while the
gold dollar appreciates and the siiVer
dollar is denied its natural economical
function. while a nation waits ana sur
fers. tariff schedules are being revised
for the exclusive benefit OF taX-eaters,
and the gold owners are tacitly assured
that they need apprehend no encroacn-
ment upon their monopoly, which Is vsi-
bly, appropriating the profits upon the
labors of civilized mankind.
Can any man who has watched the
progress of the tariff bill In the Com
mittee on Ways and Means and in the
House. and who has kept up with the
subterfuees that have been resorted to
in the matter Of lodging currency legis-
lation. honestly question the truth OF
those charges? With the record Of the
Republican party stree its last victory
before him-a victory secured largely by
bribery and corruption and deception of
only way TO reverse this order of things
is to bring about the reascendancy OF
the Democratic party? And If he would
reverse the order. let him take to heart
the closing paragraph of the address, 10
the end that he may promote TO the
utmost of his ability the movement OF
the association. That paragraph reads:
1--WE respectfully suggest that Demo
cratic societies. constituted after the
manner of those which Mr.. Jefferson de-
scribed as very nurseries Of Republican
principles be established i'm every dis
trict. and that the Democratic state,
county and city chairmen throughout the
country take immediate steps 10 secure
the institution of such organizations.
These. when united i'm state associations,
and with this great national organization,
will constitute an Irresistible force in
the contest before US with the Re
publicans) To insure popular
victory. which will inaugurate the
new century with as sure a promise OF
liberty. peace, and prosperity as Jefier-
sons election inaugurated the last, we
REQUIRE only the means of constant dis
cussion. and the means of polling our
honest vote, i'm spite OF corruption or In
timdatiOn. This thorough ciuD OrSdnl-
cation will accomplish"
We have asserted that there never was
a time when the public mind was call
culated to be more responsive TO the prin-
ciples and the truths laid down in the adj
dress. For proof OF this assertion we
have only TO point to the recent elections
in the West. 1t is not theory, but a
condition. that confronts the masses
The great industrial revival the Republi-
can party promised to bring about is as
far off as ever. and thousands Of people
remain out of employment with the pros
meet of their burdens being vastly in
creased through the operations of robbeI
tariff. Currency reform seems TO be a
vain hope. and the promise is that what
money there is in the country will, until
the Republican party Is over
thrown, gradually become harder
TO get 1t is not necessary
for politicians and doctrinaires TO tel
the people this. It is AL a sad, stern
and terrible realization with them. II
would seem idle, therefore, to ask il
there could be a more propitious time
for forming Democratic Clubs for WORK
among the masses, and for perfectine
party organization.
President McKinley's appointment Of