Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-04-21
JEFFERSON DAY" OBSERVED.

The HNNArd Legion DHmncrhttc club Docs |
Honor to the Memory Of Thomas jefferson |
"A Pleasant Gathering ana InterestIng |
Addresses.
The birthday of Thomas Jefferson
was celebrated in an appropriate man
nor by the Bayarn Legion Democratic
Club yesterday wegk at its rnoms, GIT |
SIMPLIFY street. A largo party OF mem.
beru of tho club and their frienda were
present. The evening was interspersed
with music and speeches, closing With
supper.
At the exercises President William
u. Norton presided and welcomed the
members anu Ruesta of the club. lie
introduced John S. Rossel AZ tia first
speal;er. MIR. RoHsell dwelt upon the
breadth and conservatism of Jefferson,
who was both tolerant and generous
lie recognized the real Importance Of
the labor question as it presented itself
in his day and necessity for economy in
public expenditures that labor might
be hut lightly hurdenod.
Then the speaker turned 10 municipal
affairs, with thu large salary list and
large annual payments for interest, aud
the increase of debt. The sinking fund
which was formed to exterminate the
debt, was in reality increasing it.
Efforts were being made to secure
autonomy for Cuba. II that was
national question, he held that the
question of autonomy for Wilmington
must he the GREATEST local question.
Notwithstanding this, some people were
| plotting to defeat autonomy here. lie
| held it to he duty to select represen-
| tatiyes who woulu see tbat self govern
ment was given Wilmington.
Howell S. England gave in very in
trresting address. to biographical
sketch OF Jefferson, who was born in
Albemsrle county, Va, in l743. Jefrer-
son attended private schools and vii.
liam and Mary College, and began to
practice Law in 1867. Ho represented
his county in the House of Burgesses
in 1863. In 1872 be married Martha
| SHELTON. lie was member of the cnn
inittee on correspondence of the colonial
Legislature in 1913; delegate 10 the
Continental Congress. l775; wrote the
Declaration of Independence at the age
of 33; was Governor of Virginia. l779;
delegate Of peace with Great Britain in
lIS2; delegate TO Congress, 1883, adro-
eating and having adopted the dollar
as the unit Of value in the United
States, and present system OF coins and
decimals; delegate with Adams and
Franklin 10 Europs upon treaties of
commerce, 1854; Uniteh States Minis
| ter to France. 1885; first Secretary OF
State undor the Constitution, 1859 /;
candidate for presidant, 1906; Vice
President for four years, beginning
1897 candidate for President, 1900,
against Burr; elscted by Congress- on
lGth bailoti re.escted 1901; retired
from public life 1909; died July 18th,
1926. and was buried al Monticello, Va.
MIR. England discussed also the
principles of government uron which
Jefferson shapsd bis administration.
From JelTerson's last annual message,
he quoted the following: Looking
forward with anxiety to our future
destinias, | trust that In our STEADY
character, unshaken by difficulties, in
our love OF liberty, obedience to law
and support of the public authorities,
| see the sure guarantee of the per
manenCe OF our Republic; and retiring
from the charge of our affairs | carry
with me the consolation OF firm per
suHsion that heaven has in store for
our beloved country, long ages TO come
OF prosperity and happiness.
John G, Gray delivered a speech Of
eulogy upon Jefferson and in praise OF
the Democratic party, which he said
was the party of the common people
, and stopd for their interests.
Baldwin Springer cornplimented the
club 10 its efforts to uphold the prin-
cinles advanced by jefferson.
Ex-Judge David 4. Marvel said III
, part: "1our constitution declares the
: object OF your society to be to preserve,
defend and advance the essential priu-
, ciples of free government as formulated
, by Thomas Jefferson. You can moi
/ better do this than by meetings like
, the one on this occasion, whore the
part taken by our forefathers in estab.
/ fishing a free government, their sim
plicity, economy, honesty and faith il
D the people, is recalled and impressed
? upon us, from which we gain new
{ zeal, aud helpful guidance. BY thur
Keeping alive our national traditions
) you materially assist In establishing
: that national character upon which thu
a perpotuity of our institutions aud thu
principles OF free government mus
t. feat. Through the influence Of sucl
D teachings the country will be safe il
the hands OF its citizens either in tint
It of pence or in war They will favo
,f arbitration and peaceful settlement o
@ all questions not involving tho loss
abandonment of any of Those in
o alionable rights declared, in that grea
charter Of civil liberty, to be- natura
J. rights, and guaranteed by the ConBti
tuition. But for war, as better AMI
b cheaper than the loss or abandonment
y of those rights. And il war, you will
find all citizens for the flag and againe
j. the foe. -
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