Evening star., 1897-01-09
IT WAS JACKSON DAY
The Local Association Celebrated by
Banquet.
SPEECHES BY MANY LEADERS
Politics and the Issues Touched
Upon in the Toasts.
THOSE WHO WE'RE THEPE
THOSE WHO WERE THERE

Jackson day was celebrated last evening
by the Jackson Democratic Association by
| banquet given at Masonic Temple. al
which nearly 800 members and guests sal
down. The occasion was one of the most
notable gatherings of democrats since the
last campaign closed. The utmost enthusl-
asm prevailed, and it seemed rather a gath
ering of victors than defeated men, Some
of the most prominent men in the party
attended, and the one burden of their ut
terances was that the democratic party
had not suffered defeat last November. but
had gained a glorious victory.
The large hall was tastefully decorat ed
with flags and bunting, flowers, plants and
ferns being in profusion. President James
L. Norris and the invited guests were seat
ed at table which ran across the width
OF the room, while three long tables ran
the length of the room. Jackson's portrait
occupied a prominent position. and the
handS OF a large clock pointed to 2:55, the
hour when the battle of New Orleans was
won. During the evening Weber's Orches-
ira rendered delightful music. 1t was near
ly clock when President Norris invited
all to be seated, and after he had raped
Tor order he welcomed the guests in ap-
propriate remarks. He referred to Andrew
jackson as a man who has a juster claim
on the gratitude of the American people
than any other in the history of the coun-
try NO n an ever made more personal
sacrifices or exposed himself to more for
midable perils to save his country, per-
petuate her institutions and preserve her
honor. In honoring his memory his follow
ers honored themselves. His was an ex-
ample of the truest valor, the grandest
courage and the simplest Christian faith.
Mr.. Norris concluded by proposing the toast
TO Jackson's memory, which was drunk
standing and in silence.
Letters of Regret.
Mr. Norris next read several letters from
those who had found themselves unable to
accept the invitation to be present Among
them was the following from William j.
Bryan:
Gentlemen: regret that circumstances
prevent my celebrating Jackson DAY with
you. We have reason to commemorate the
virtues of the hero of New Orleans. His
courageous iefense of the rights of the
people against the assaults of consoldat ed
capital made him the idol of mis- party, and
the remembrance of his achievements
should inspire the democrats of this genera
tlon to renewed devotion to a government
of the people, by the people and for inc
people His final triumph in a struggle
similar to that in which the democracy was
engaged this year gives us encouragement
aid hope of ultimate success. Thanking
you for honoring me with an invitation /
am, very truly yours.
Letters OF regret were also received from
wee President Stevenson, George Fred
Williams. Senator'S Turpie, Faulkner, w White,
Pssco, Bate, Allen, Gordon Kyle. Wal
thall, Vest. Murphy. Money. Mills, Roach
ard Harris. Representatives Wheeler, De
Almond. Tate, Terry, Washington, Savers
Abbott, Bailey and Towne, F. p. Howell of
the Atlanta Constitution, A. H Garland
John F. Fitzgerald of Boston, Mr.. John r.
Mclean and Mr.. Page NJ. Baker of the
New Orleans Tinles-Democrat.
The Day and Independence.
AS the dinner proceeded toasts were
responded to, the first being The Day
We Celebrate" responded to by Mr. A. s.
Colyar of Tennessee. Mr.. Colyar bears a
striking resemblance to Old Hickory, and
his appearance was greeted with cheers
He reviewed the life and achievements of
Andrew jackson, saying that he was the
greatest believer in the right of self-goy-
ernment He found but one enemy in the
battle for freedom, the power of concen-
trated money. He was not great scholar
ror a deeply learned lawyer. but he was a
profound thinker, and in every university
of the land there ought to be chair de-
voted to the democracy of Jackson, the
rights of the individual man and the limi-
tations on concentrated capital. The text
book for the class should be Jackson's
message on the national banking system
The next speaker was Senator John T
Morgan of Alabama, who responded to the
toast Independence" He said there was
Eo party for him but the democratic party
and he was a democrat who had never
scratched ticket. He had been baptized
into the party by Jackson, and had learned
that no man can be independent of others.
For as we'll might one take to himself the
ole of Jehovah as to contend that he is
independent of all others. Jackson's inde-
pendence was not the independence of the
individual, but that of the country, and
the love of liberty and the love of country
were the greatest characteristics of the old
hero's character. Were he alive today the
hrst time an outrage was perpetrated on
an American citizen the guns of man-of-
war would be turned upon the oppressorS,
whether they were Spaniards or not.
Men and Parties.
Representative Benton McMfllin Of Ten
nessee followed. responding to the toast
1.-The Democratic Party: Its Defeats and
Triumphs.' Democratic principles began
when constitutional liberty began, and will
cease only when liberty dies. The demo-
cratic party did not elect it's candidate at
the last election, but of the @, 400, 900 demo-
Gratis who voted for him, not one of them
regrets today the vote he cast. There will
be no funeral. for there is not and never
will be democratic corpse. The party had
not been defeated, but had. instead, gained
a glorious victory, victory which will be
consummated in 1900.
Senator ]. c. s. Blackburn of Kentucky
was the next speaker his toast being AN
drew Jackson and His Rival, Henry Clay"
He compared the characteristics of the two
men, saying tfat Doth always bdttled for
the rights of the common people. Jackson
was the most cautious man, not to be a
coward, and the bravest man. not to he
rash, that the country has ever seen. The
principles of Jackson were those of Bryan,
and, despite the fact that the democratic
party was defeated at the last election,
that defeat made sure their triumph four
years hence.
''The Money of the Constitution" was the
toast responded to bf Senator John w.
Daniel of Virginia. Tie Cons3itution says
that gold and silver 5skaH be the money of
the land, and not goid aipne. ENo mention
is found in it of sounW money! and, as the
Constitution has said shat gold and silver
shall be the money OF the land. then, by
the Eternal, let no man put them asunder.
If jackson were alive today there would
be no American knocking at the British
gate, asking them, for Gods sake, let us
coin a little silver money. Senator Black
burn had told the late democratic conven-
tion that the money question was the-prin-
cipal one, and had his advice been fol-
lowed 1T would have meant half a million
more votes to the democratic party.
After a letter of regret had been read
from Mrs. Emily Donaldson Wilcox the
first person born in the White House. the
silver candelabra used by Jackson were
lighted, and Mr.. William T. Whalen of this
city roCited an ode to IackSon Mr, Wholop