Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-14
JEFFERSON BANQUET.
HELD ~ HOTEL WHERE FIRST AN
NryERsARy WAS OBSERVED.
SPEECH BY WILLIAM ]. BRYAN.
for Democrats In
Result OF the Recent Elections
The nfnrlcy Biif-RimetaiIism-
cleveland and the Gold standard.

celebrated tonight at the Metropolitan
,gctel bv a subscription dinner, given
,,rser the auspices Of the National As
so.ia,ion OF Democratic Clubs. The FIRST
Celebration OF the anniversary OF Jeffer-
sons birth occurred az the same hostelry,
then known as the Indian Queen Presi-
dent Jackson was the guest Of honor,
and the occasion was made memorable
nv the presence OF Vice-President John
q Calhoun. and other Democratic lead
crs Of that day. Tonight William j.
l2~van. Of Nebraska. the late Democratic
candidate for President. was the guest
OF honor Senators. Representatives. and
others conspicuous in the counsels of
che Democratic party. were present. Many
of them were from a distance. Covers
we're laid for two hundred. and a number
~ people We're denied seats for want Of
space az the table.
The decorations of the room were sim
ple The columns were twined with
southern smilsx. and a full-length por-
trait OF Jefferson draped with American
naes. was hung behind the seat of Hon.
Chauncey r. Black. Of Pennsylvania, the
president Of the association. Upon Mr..
Backs right were Mr.. Bryan. Represen-
tative McMnlin. who acted as toast
master. and on the left. Senator Jones.
az Arkansas; Representatives Bland. of
Missouri Lentz. Of Ohio. and ex-Repre-
sentative Sibley. of Pennsylvania, and
Andrew Lipscomb Of Virginia.
Mr. Bryan was greeted with lusty
cheer as ne entered the hall.
The menu was carefully prepared and
was similar 20 such a dinner as might
have been served during Jefferson's day.
The dishes were all American creations.
and each course. as far as possible. rep
resented one section OF the country.
The dinner began promptly at o'clock.
an orchestra playing national airs blend
cd with southern melodies. 10 conform
in simplicity with the spirit Of the din
ner. The toasts were briefly responded
30. except IN the case Of Mr. BRYAN.
who spoke al length 10 the toast.
Thomas Jefferson
THE TOASTS.
The order Of set toasts was as fol-
lows
Thomas jefferson; we celebrate the
anniversary Of his birth. not I'm the spirit
OF personal idolatry. but from regard and
reverence for his political principles. -
William J. Bryan. Of Nebraska.
"The Diffusion Of Information and the
Arraienment Of All Abuses at the Bar
Of Public Reason" Cfrom Jefferson's in
augural address)-James X. Jones. Of
Arkansas.
Equal and Exact Justice 10 All Men.
% Whatever state OF Persuasion, kcl-
gious or Political" from the same ad-
dress)-Richard p. Bland. Of Missouri
"The Declaration Of Independence; an
enduring monument Of that devotion TO
liberty and adherence Of tyranny which
stamp the character and mark the whole
course Of the life Of its author'-Joseph
G.. 5 bley. Of Pennsylvania.
Peace Commerce and Honest Friend
ship with all Nations: Entang'ing ALI
ances with None" Grom Jeffersoas in
augural address)-John J. Lentz. of Ohio.
AN Aristocracy of Wealth is of More
Harm and Danger than Benefit TO So
ciety " Oefferson)-Andrew J. Lipscomb,
OF Virginia.
"A Jealous Care Of the Right of Elec-
tions by the People; a mild and safe
corrective Of those abuses which are OPP
ped by the sword Of revolution in coun-
tries where peaceable remedies are un-
provided" from Jeffersons inaugural
address)-Wllliam Sulzer. of New York.
MR.. BRYAN'S SPEECH.
Mr. Bryan said in part: The Demo-
cratic party is strong just i'm proportion
as IL proves true to the teachings Of its
great founder. IL is the mission of the
Democratic party to crystalline into legis-
latiOu the principles which he taught.
The party applies Democratic principles
TO the issues which arise from time to
time. For many years the tariff ques-
tion was the paramount issue. and the
party took a more advanced position each
year until 1892. when ii declared itself
In favor Of a policy which meant sub
stantally a tariff for revenue only. But
the President elected at that time, in
stead Of proceeding 10 carry out that
portion OF the platform. forced upon pub
lie attention an issue which had up to
that time been secondary. Mr.. Cleve-
land. more than any Othe. person in this
nation. is responsible for the prominent
position which the money question now
occupies. IL was his determination 10
complete the demonetzation of silver.
and make the gold standard perpetual.
That aroused the masses Of the United
States 10 active resistance. The struggle
for supremacy between the gold standard
and blmetallism was recognized as
contest between the money power and the
common Deope.
The explicit declaration in favor Of
free and unlimited coinage at l6 TO l.
without waiting for the aid or consent
of any other nation, was made necessary
by the attempt of certain public men
10 evade the preceding platform. The
party-struggle which eliminated in the
Chicago convention Of necessity alienated
a portion of the party. The party was
placed IN a position where II was COM
PEELED 10 endorse the financial policy of
the President or adhere 10 the doctrines
and traditions Of the party. The posi-
ton taken by the Democratic party in
1896 viii not be surrendered. 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 plat
form has aroused, and you viii realize
the impOssibility Of taking a backward
step.
True, the present administration is
seeking 10 turn public attention 10 the
tariff question. but If our reasoning is
Well founded. an Increase Of taxes can
not restore prosperity 10 the producers
Of wealth. IL the Dingley bin brings
general and permanent prosperity, the
Democratic party will not be in a po-
sition 10 win a contest by opposing II.
If. on the other hand. the Dingiey bill
proves disappointment 10 those who
advocate IL. our position Of 1886 Will be
strengthened. and public attention will
be riveted upon the fact that the cause of
financial depression Is to be found I'm our
monetary system
DEMOCRATIC ENCOURAGEMENT
There is much I'm recent events TO en-
courage the followers OF Thomas Jeffer-
son. The spring elections indicate a
growing sentiment along the lines Of the
lhicaQn rlatfOrfn In fact. the elections