The indicator., 1897-04-17
A SPEECH BY BRYAN.
JEFFERSON BANQUET AT WASH
INGTON.
He Expresses the Hope That International
Bimetsilism Ma, he secured but !,
Doubtful About It,

! l5ith anniversary of Jefferson : blftn'
day was celebrated tonight Al the
Metropolitan hotel 10y Il subscription
dinner given under the auspices of tile
! National Association of Democratic
| clubs The first celebration of the an
niversary of Jeferson's birth occurred
at the same hostclry. then known as
the Indian Queen. Jackson was the
guest Of honor and the occasion was
made memorable by the presence of
| Vice President John 6. calhoun and
| other Democratic leaders of thar day,
Tonight William J. Bryan, of Ne
| hrIska the late Democratic candidate
/ for president. was the guest of honor
! senators. representatives and others
| conspicuous In the councils Of the
| Democratic party, were present, Many
| of them were from Il distance. Covers
We're laid for 200 and many were de
/ MED seats for want of space ar the ia
| bleS. The decorations of the room were
| simple. The columns were twisted
/ with southern ~milaN and II full length
| portrait Of jefferson, drapcd with
/ American huEs, were hung behind the
seat Of Governor Chaunccy L. Black,
/ uf Pennsylvania. the president of the
association Upon his right were Mr.,
| Bryan, Representative McMillin, who
/ acted gs tuHstmISlcr and on the left
| senator Jones of Arkansas, Representa-
I tive Bland Of Missouri. Representative
| Lent OF ohio and cN-lt'prosrntatlvc
| Sihley of Pennsylvania
Mr.. Bryan was greeted with a lu-ty
[ cheer as be- entered the ball. The
| menu was carefully prepared and WAS
similar to such dinner rs might have
been served during Jrrprson's day..
The dishes were all of American cTea.
ton and each COURSE. as far us posi-
hlr, r presented one section of the cnun-
try The dinner began promptly at :
O'Clock, an orchestra playing national
airs blended with southern melodies.
TO conform in simplicity To the spirit
/ uf fhe dinner Tire toasiS were pro-
! posed and briefly responded TO- except
| ia the ease of Mr.. Bryan. WHO spoke
~ length 10 the toast of Thomas JET
terson,
Mr. Bryan said in part;
"Thc Democratic party j. strong Just
in proportion It's ID proves true to the
teachings of its great founder. 1t is
the mission Of the Democratic party TO
clyStlliz" into legislation the princ,-
pies which lac Taught.
"rhr party applies Democratic prin-
ciplcS 10 The issues which arise from
lime ta time For suauy years the tar
in question wis the paramount issue,
and the party took Il more advanced
position each year until lSl2. when IL
declared Itself In favor of u policy
which meant substantially tariff for
revenue only But the pres dent elect.
cd at that time. instead of proceeding
10 carry uut thar portion of the plat
form. forced upon public attention an
issue which had up to that time been
considered secondary. Mr.. Cleveland,
morr than any other person in this ma
ton is responsible for the prominent
position which the money question
now occupies. II WAS his determine
tiIn 10 complete the decentralization of
silver and make the gold standard per.
pctual thar aroused the masses of the
United States 10 active resistance. The
struggle for supremacy between the
gold standard and bimctallists was rec
ogniZed a> Il contest between the mon.
cy power and tile common people.
The explicit declaration in favor of
free and unlimited coinage AT 1G to l
without waitin" for the aid or consent
Of any other nation waS made neces-
| sgry by the attempt of certain public
men 10 cvHde the preceding Platforms
The party struggle which eliminated
in the Chicago convention. of necessity
1li"natcd portion of the party The
party was placed in the position where
it was compelled 10 luInrsc the finnu.
ctai policy Of The President or adhere
Ia the doctrines and traditions of the
party TIL" position taken by the Dem,
ocratic party in 1886 will not be sur.
rendered. If you doubt the perma.
nency of the Chicago platform as a
party creed. 20 among the rank and
4 tI.t of aVf. al
and enthusiasm which that platform
has aroused. and You viii realize The
imposslhlify of taking q backward
step.
True. the present administration j,
seeking To turn public attention To In,
tariff question. but. If our rcaSonin.
Is well founded, an increase OF taNcs
| cannot restore prosperity 10 the pro
! duccrS Of wealth If The Binglcv lii
/ brings general and permanent pros
1 p"WtN, the Democratic party will nO'
I be IN position To win n contest by Oh
| posing it, IT. on the other hand. The
[ IDin=loy hill proves disappointment
/ 10 those who advocate it, our position
l Of 1896 will he strengthened aud pub
/ Tic attention will lee riyeted upon TIA,
| fact that the cause OF financial dppreS
| sion is Ia be- found in our monetary
0 ~ ~ii'Ill
There is much in recent events t,
| encourage the followers Of Thoma
| Jefferson. The spring elections iudi
| rut" growing sentiment along th
/ lines NJ the Chirago platform In fact
| the elections which have taken plnc,
show So great - gain that the Rcuuh
| l"1u party may now be considered {
minority party
at has but one hope Of escape from
l the wrath 10 come. nnd that Is 10 So
: cur" bimotHllism hy intornatioun
agreement before the people of the nn
tipu have another opportunity Il
| speak 1t tia" polls While we who be-
licvc iu Independent himetnllism gen
orally regard an International agree
mcnt Us neither necessary nor pnssi
'le, W" may well hope for success IA
nny who make the attempt 10 sccur
foreign assistance II our opponent
succeed IN opening the mints Of othr
"" viii rejoice. because the condition
nf the people VIII he improved an,
They viii be- able To proceed with othc
remedial legislation IT, however. III
Republican party. after plcdging itsel
20 S"cur" International hiRotalliSu
'inds it impossible to fulfill that plcdg,
its expressed preference for doubl
standard will rise mp to condemn II
II il attempts TO continue longer III
evils Of The gold standard"
Big Irrigation Plans.
Grand Junction. Colo, April 13 -Th