The Portland daily press., 1897-04-14

Chairman Jones Another of the Speak,
| ers on This Occasion-Refers to Yale
Episode of Last Campaign Congress-
man Towne Speaks in Boston.
| Washington, April 13.-The 154th ami
versary of Jefferson's S birthday was cele-
bratei tonight at the Metropolitan hotel
by subscription dinner given under the
auspices of the National Association of
Democratic clubs
William j. Bryan of Nebraska, was
the guest Of honor. Senators, Represent
atives and Others conspicuous in the
councils of the Democratic party were
present.
Governor Chauncey f. Black of Penn
| sylyanis, the president of the association,
presided. Upon his right were Mr.. Bry-
an, and Representative McMillin, who
acted as toastmaster.
| The toasts were proposed and briefly
responded to except in the case of Mr.
Bryan, who spoke at length to the toast,
Thomas Jefferson. He said
Mr.. Bryan said, in part:
'The Democratic party is strong just
In proportion as it proves true to the
teachings OF Its great founder. 1t is the
mission of the Democratic party to crys-
taiize into legislation the principles
which he taught. TIE party applies DEM
ocratin 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-
vancsd position each year until 1892 when
| 1t declared itself in favor of policy
which meant substantially q 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 not been up 10 that time con-
| sidered
Mr.. Cleveland, more than any other
| person in this nation, is responsible for
the prominent position which the money
question now occupies. 1t was his de-
termination to complete tie demonetiza-
dard prrpetu al, that aroused the masses
of tie United STATES to active resistance.
The struggle for supremacy between the
gold STANDARD and hi-metallism was
recognized as contest between the
money power and the common people.
The explicit declaration In favor of free
| and unlimited coinage at 16 to ! with
out waiting for the aid or consent of any
other nation, was made necessary by this
attempt of certain public men to evade
preceding platforms. The party strug-
gle which culminated in the Chicago
convention, of necessity alisnated q por.
tion of the party. The Larty was placed
in the position where it was compelled
to endorse the financial policy of the
President or adhere to the doctrines and
traditions CT the party. The position
taken by the Democratic party in 1896
will not be surrendered. If You doubt
the permanency of the Chicago, platform
as party creed. go among the rank and
file of the party and measure the zeal
and enthusiasm which that platform
has arouseu and you will realize
impossibility of taking back ward step.
'True, the present administration is
attempting to turn the attention to the
tariff question, out if our reasoning ls
well founded, an increased taxation
dueers of wealth. If the Dingley hill
brings general and permanent prosperi-
ty, the Democratic party will not be in
a position to win contest by opposing
it. Ii, on the other hand, the Dingey
bill proves disappointment to those
who advocate. our position of 1886 will be
strengthened and public attention will
he riveted upon the fact that the cause
) of financial depression is to be found in
our monetary system.
"There is III ueh in recent events to en-.
, cournge tie followers of Thomas Jetfor.
J son. The spring elections indicate a
, growing sentiment along the lines OF
! tbs Chicago platform. In fact the cleo
fions which have taken place snow s,
great a gain that the Republican party
may now be considered a minority party
, 1t has but one hope Of escape from
the wrath to come and that is to secure
bi-metalism by international agreement
before the peopls of the nation have an
other opportunity at the polls. While
, we who believe in independent bi-me
, tallism, generally regard an information