The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1899-04-05

your own, to the Democratic club, oil
which am president, and to its pro
posed celebration to Jefferson's birth
day, i should have left your offensive
statements unanswered.
1.-THE Democratic Club, of New York
has membership Of nearly 5000 Demo
Gratis, who all hold to the main princi-
pies Of Democracy, while their opinions
may vary in regard to such political
questions as are not fundamental, but
merely local or transitory, like many Of
the vain conceits you have yourself
espOused. But none of these 5000
members is Republican. As for my
self, never voted for a Republican
candidate for either a great or small
office.
1.-THE Board of Governors and the
President of so large Democratic or
ganizstion endeavored TO represent
officially the wishes of the majority,
which was that the coming anniversary
of the birthday OF Jefferson should be
celebrated this year by the organiza-
ton as in previous years. To recall
those principles and traditions with
which his name is so indelibly associat-
ed tends to bring about revival OF
Democratic control based on public
questions, the conditions of which are
not transitory.
ITO the explanation made to you
shat individual opinions have not been
considered you replied that you do
not understand how individual Opin-
ions can be ignored at political gath
ering.' Then you proceeded to contrast
your opinions with mine, to emphasize
their antagonism, and finally Declared
that you and cannot with propriety
join in a political banquet given in
honor of Democracy's patron saint.
Your contention is that the Chicago
platform applies Jeffersonian princi-
Piles to present conditions and that
because l criticised that platform in its
application to conditions existing three
years ago and then resisted your candi-
dacy for the Presidency, therefore my
presence at the proposed dinner would
not honor the worlds greatest Demo
crat.
"The course of events will probably
prove your understanding of the rela'
tons of individual opinions to Demo
cratic gatherings, and it is therefore
not required of me now to indulge in a
long discourse on the relation in YOU
politics OF temporary TO permanent
questions.
ION returning from the Chicago con-
vention l explained my course in a pub
lie address to my constituents and justi
fed my protest on the ground that
legislation and executive action in en-
forcing the Chicago platform would bt
an assault on wages and savings, beng
on silver mOnometallism and impair
the obligations of contrasts. I there
after cOntended wherever l had oppor
tunity that insistence by the United
States on the coming of ratio sixteen t.
one would be the grave of internal bi
metallism, and that if Europe opened
its minis at fifteen and one-half anC
! this government persisted in the ratio
: of sixteen the result would be as il
1884 and the United States would b,
= left with only subsidiary currency.
} Il answer you as an individual anC
not as committing the organization o
! which / am President. No copy of you
letter or this reuly has been seen by an.
member of the Democratic Club an,
will not until after the reply has beel
mailed to you.
at is not practical for nae to recall il
5 this letter the substance of what hav
written or spoken during or since tn
r last Presidential campaign in regard t
the Chicago platform and its man
phases. and do not in any way recoe
e nize your right to question my DemOC
4 racy. am sending you by this mai
D a volume which correctly gives the lis
l of everything which has been publish
D ed, and yol are at liberty to indicat
8 and expose any portion that is unpatri
0 otto, undemOcratic, un-American or j
: conflict with the Democratic creed a
set forth in Jefferson's first Inaugural
address. PERRY BELMONT"