Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-04-17
THE BRYAN DINNER.


democrats 10 the Grand Central Palace
in New York on Saturday night.
About three thousand persons turDed
out and paid their 81 apiece TO enjoy
his speech and eat the dinner. Mr..
Bryan did not make his appearance IN
til the feast was well under way, and
his advent was in the nature Of tri-
umpnal progress to his place
Ine great majority of The diners es-
chewed evening dress and many OF
them appeared in their ordinary BUSH
ness clothes.
Mr.. Bryan's picture was at the back
of the stage on one side, and on the
other side 81 picture of Jefferson. AT the
front of the stage was big horseshoe
of red and white roses, bearing the in
scription "16 to l Women's Bryan
League" On 8 chair nearby was q
splendid bunch of American Beauty
roses, with card inscribed, ITO VIM.
J. Bryan, from A. S. Townsend, of Vir-
GINA"
As for the quality of the food every
one seemed satisfied with it and there
certainly was enough of it. Soon after
O'Clock Mr. Bryan appeared, escorted
by Eugene Y. Brewster Behind him
came Chairman James A. Brown, Of
the committee of one hundred, escort
ing O. H. p. Belmont. Next came Dr..
J. H. Gardner, with George Fred Will
liams.
After explaining that the purpose Of
the dinner was to endorse the Chicago
platform. Chairman Brown introduced
George Fred Williams, of Messachu-
setts, who spoke in response to the
! toast TRUSTS and Monopoies."
"If monopoly has taken p ossession OF
the avenues of industry in this land" he
said, democracy can take possession
of those avenues and drive out the
idlers. Our courts must be in safe
hands. We need q leader, young, de-
voted. simple, sincere and pure minded.
Here is the occasion, and here is the
man" The speaker pointed to Mr..
Bryan, and the audience lot loose a
| mighty yell.
O II. p. Belmont was the next speak.
er or the subject of Unity OF the Par
| ty."
81 am no hater OF money, or the man
who makes it, but | do hate the man
| VINO is not free to live and let live" he
| said. LET us nave in our party no
rich or poor, no capital or labor. The
issue Of 1900 is whether we are to be
} controlled by the cosmopolitan money
{ power or shall be freemen. II the
democratic party will nominate Mr..
Bryan as the standardbearer for 1900
will give him my support and work for
his election"
John c. Ridpath spoke about Thomas
| Jefferson. The greatest Statesman
and noblest democrat OF this nation--l
was going to say without exception,
but | hesitate when look at our prln-
cipal guest here tonight" said the
speaker.
The next speaker was Judge James
p. Tarvin, OF Kentucky, who attacked
both the Cleveland and the Croker
! styles of democracy.
Bryan was tumultnOusly received
and said in part
The discussion of the price per
plate has obscured to some extent the
[ more important difference between this
banquet and the one given last Thurs
day Eight at the Metropolitan Opera
House. The political character Of a
banquet is determined, not by its cost,
but the sentiments which are woven
| into its post prsndiel oratory.
"A party is an association formed for
the purpose of giving force and effect
to the political principles held in com
mon. When vital differences 10 prin-
ciples arise separation ia not only nee
essary but desirable"
Mr.. Bryan's speech was essentially a
reassertion of his belief in the Chicago
platform and defence of its provisions
J one by enc. Almost at the outset of
{ his speech he made it Uain that in his
opinion democratic harmony is possible
only on the basis OF that creed. Eu-
larging on this text be praised the
course Of he silver republicans and
accused the gold democrats of prac-
ticing fraud in calling themselves
national democrats. As to future mar
mony, Mr.. Bryan said EITHER Chi
csgo platform democrats must abandon
their convictions or the democrats who
deserted the party must abandon the
views they entertained in 1886 4
i man cannot be political bieamist.
He cannot be welded TO the name of
one party and to the principles of
another party. All that we contend
for is that those who deserted us in
1896 shall. livorce themselves either
from our party nanie or from the pc
itical principles of opposing parties.
Democrats are not dismayed when
thew hear the Chicago platform de-
nounced this year by those who de
nonnced it in 1896.
In the course of his remarks Mr..
BRYAN said: ''lt lis compliment to re
ceive q presidential nomination from
anv national convention, but | am
proud that my nomination came from
convention, not of bosses, but OF demo
cratic citizens. Loud applause 1t
has vindicated that platform and every
plank of it is stronger today than it was
when the platform was written"
Further Oh Mr.. Bryan referred to the
United States as a bully for striking
down the Filipino natives, and when
he said, "We may fail in 1900" there
were tn multuous cries of No, never"
When he concluded another hurri-
cane of applause broke forth. Men and
women acted wildly.
When Mr.. Bryan had finished there
was a great rush to him on the plat