The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-04-16

Ahe Il in Warrington City Last
Night-Iu the Same Hall Where .he
First Jefferson Anniversary Was Held
With Calhoun as hief Guest-w. j.
! Bryan the Central Figure His Speech
on the Monetary Questionable ArraJgn.
| ment of Mr.. Cleveland.
Washington. April 13.-The 14th ami
| versary Of Jefferson's birthday was cele-
brated tonight at the Metropolitan hotel
by a subscription dinner given under the
| auspices of the National Association of
Democratic Clubs. The first celebration
Of the anniversary of Jefferson's birth
occurred at the same hostelry, then
known as the Indian Queen. President
Jackson was the guest Of honor and the
occasion was made memorial by the pres
Gnce Of Vice President John {. Calhoun,
and other democratic leaders of that day.
tonight WliIlafn J. bryan. OF Nebraska,
was the guest Of honor. Senator's, repre-
sentatives and others conspicuous in the
~COunseiS Of the democratic party were
present. Many Of them were from a dis
lance. Covers were laid for 200, and a
number OF people were denied seats tor
want Of space at the tables. The dccora-
tons Of the room were simple. The col
umns were t"lued with southern Smilax
and a full length portrait of jefferson,
draped with American flags. was hung
behind the lat cf Governor Chauncey +.
Black, of Pennsylvania, the president Of
the association. Upon his right were Mr..
acted as toast master. and on the left
Senator Jones, Of Arkansas; Representa-
tives Bland. Of Missouri; Lentz. of Ohio,
and ex-Reprcsentative Sibley, of Pennsyl-
vania, and Andrew Lipscolnb, of Virginia.
Mr.. Bryan was greeted with a lusty
cheer as ne entered the hall.
The menu was carefully prepared and
was similar to such a dinner as might
have served during Jefferson's days. The
dishes were all American creations and
each course, as far as possible, represent
ed one section of the country. The din
ner began promptly at s O'Clock, an or
chestra playing national airs, blended
| Wit n ~ ynaIoIinr 10 -
simplicity to the spirit Of the dinner.
The toasts were briefly responded to, ex-
cept in the case of Mr.. Bryan, who spoke
at length to the toast, Thomas JefTer-
SON"
The order of the set toasts was as fol-
lows:
anniversary of his birth, not in the
spirit CT personal idolatry, but from re-
gard and reverence for his political prin-
ciples. '-William J. Bryan, of Nebraska.
The diffusion of information and ar
raignment of all abuses at the bar OF
public reason" (From Jefferson's inau-
gural ddress.)-Jame X. Jones, of Ar
kansas.
Equal and exact justice to all men, of
whatever state or persuasion, religious
Or political Z. Bland, of Mis-
Souri,.
The declaration of independence, an
enduring monument of that devotion of
liberty and adherence of tyranny which
stamp the character and mark the whole
course of the life of it's author. JOSEPH
Sibley, of Pennsylvania
Peace. and honest friendship
with all nations, entangling alliances with
none" GFrom the same address, John
+. Lentz, of Ohio.
An aristocracy of wealth is of more
harm and danger than benefit to society
lJefferson)-AndreW j. Lipscomb, of
Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Bryan said in part:
The democratic party is strong just
in proportion as it proves true to the
teachings of it's great founder. 1t is the
mission Of the democratic party to cryS-
tallize into legislation the principles which
he taught. The party applies democratic
principles to the issues which arise from
time to time. For many years the tariff
question was the paramount issue, and
the party took a more advanced position
each year until 1892, when it declared it
self III favor Of Il policy which meant
substantially a tariff for revenue only.
But the president elected at that time,
instead of proceeding to carry out that
portion of the platform. forced upon pub
lie attention an issue which had up to
that time been considered secondary. Mr..
Cleveland. more than any other person in
this nation, is responsible for the prom
inent position which the money question
now occupies. 1t was his determination
to complete the characterization OF silver
and make the gold STANDARD perpetual
that aroused the masses Of the United
States to active resistance. The struggle
for supremacy between the gold standard
and bimetalliSm was recognized as q con
test between the money power and the
common people.
'The explicit declaration in favor OF
free and unlimited coinage at IS to
without waiting for the aid or consent
of any other nation was made necessary
by the attempts of certain public men tC
evade the preceding platform. The party
struggle which eliminated in the Chicago
convention, of necessity, alienated a pOr-
ton of the party; The party was placed
in the position where it was compelled tc
endorse the financial policy Of the pres
ident or adhere to the doctrines and ira
ditions of the party. The position taken
1 nv I he an ne ~ IL ma I " IN SAt will no El
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 the platform has aroused and you
will realize the responsibility of taking
a backward step.
seeking to turn public attention to the
tariff question: but if our reasoning is
well founded, an increase of taxes cannot
restore prosperity to the producers OF
wealth. If the Dingley bill brings genera
and permanent prosperity, the democratic
party will not be in a position to win d
contest by opposing it. If, on the other
hand, the Dingley bill proves a disappoint.
ment to those who advocate it, our posi-
ton of 1896 will be strengthened and pub.
lie attention will be riveted upon the fact
that the cause of financial depression is
to be found in our monetary system.
There is much in recent events to en-
courage the followers of Thomas Jeffer.
son. The spring elections indicate a grow.
ing sentiment along the lines OF the Chi.
CaCO platform. In TACT, the elections
which have taken place show so great g
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 bimetallisn
by International agreement before the
people of the nation have another oppor'
tunity to speak at the polls. While we
who believe in independent bimetallisn
generally regard an international agree.
ment as neither necessary nor possible
we may well hope for success to any who
may make the attempt to secure foreign
assistance. If our opponents succeed II
opening the minis of other nations a
we'll as their own minis, we shall rejoice
because the condition of the people viii
be improved and they will be able to pro.
/ however, the republican party, after
~pledging itself to secure international bi
nnn+n1lirrn Enlc Il irnnnSSihla tn fulfill