The age-herald., 1899-01-08
Thomas Replies to VatersOns
 SophistTy DENSITY OF THF BOURBONS
 5. %< Is ProverbiaI Ead ParaIyzes GoIdt gerW
 es REPUBLICAN Sf o.END DANCE ACT
  Should Not be Initiated by Democracy, Which Build, Not for Day or a Generation, But for
 All Time.

ton of Jackson day was held by the Jack sonian club at Weir's hall tonight, several hundred members of the club and their guests being present. The principal event of the evening was an address by Governor elect Chafles s. Thomas, of Colorado.
 Governor-elect Thomas, in the course of his address, replied to the recent editorial of Henry Watterson, in the Louisville Courier-Journal. in which the latter sug- gested that Admiral Dewey and General Fitzhugh Lee be made the democratic nom- inees for 1900, with the platform, "The Stars and Stripes-God Bless Them" Governor Thomas said in part:
 Bourbon Density is said to be proverbial. It polarizes in the political atmosphere of gold democracy, which blandly assumes that the national organ zation is ready to toss the reins from the drivers box to those whom the vehicle but yesterday ran over. Old Horse Sense sitting in the rocker, is dilapdated when it asserts either that the economic issues of the last campaign are obsolete or that the leadership of that time is not the leadership of 1899.
 Inspiration In Ills Name
 Tt may be that in 1900 democracy will H0u lHSpudllOL III liS helihS OA thN eA-"t admiral; 1t may be that the events of the ensuing period will point to him as it's logical candidate; it may be that General Lee or some other conspicuous military figure or fighter will stand as his associate, but there conditions must come, if at all, not that the bolters of 1896 may be per- suaded to return, not that their views or opinions must be accepted, but that through such leadership the principles of the Chicago platform may be enduring.
 But if it be true that the platforms are formulated by political hypocrtes and pre- destined to abandonment and that democ- racy's sole pledge for 1900 should be, The Stars and Stripes; God Bless Them, what assurance can we give that any pledge, in- yolved even in such a catch-phrase, will not be disregarded.
 'If we have lost all the devotion to our party principles, and our political duty is performed by resorting to any device which promises victory, it were better to adopt Colonel Sel vrs' platform and go in for the old flag and an appropriation
 This has some political meaning, and in sentiment it is fulyequal to it's more grace full but not less attractive, Wattersonian imitation. We are warned that the repub- lican leaders are not going to handicap themselves with any ancient party rubbish. Hence it is argued that we should not only initiate, but surpass, them in our assertion of party principles.
 Wheeler and Mckinley
 "We are told that at the opportune mo- ment, Mckinley and Wheeler will march down to the footights to the tune of, The Land We Love- or words to that effect. If national politics have descended to the song and dance level of negro minstrelsy one set of end-men will serve as we'll other. We are not concerned with names of the performers, if the song and jig be satisfactory. Indeed, if such an attitude is to be assumed by the republican party in 1900 we should spurn the suggestion that we initiate it. Let us stand by our colors, well knowing that if we are right, defeat shall be tunred into victory and If we are wrong, possibly they will give us the credit for the sincerity of our conviction. We are not to be diverted from the real issues of the hour by the clamor or the protests of the enemy in the open, or the enemy in disguise.
 gated to the limbo of business shades but 1t will not be consigned there by the wishes or the assertions of those who fear or who condemn it.
 '"The men to whose keeping the fortunes of our party were committed by it's last convention believe that it's declarations mean nothing. They do not estimates its principles by the changing currents of pub lie sentiment the shifting standards of expediency. They are building, not for a day or generation but for all times. To them defeat in 1900 means delay, but not disaster.
 Welcomt to the Ranks
 "They welcome to their ranks all who be- lieye with us without regard to past affii- ation. To such the right hand of fellowship shall be extended. They also invite the re- turn of those who led Il astray in other days and abandoned us when we essayed to return, but these should come in sack cloth and serve their day of probaton The purple of authority and the feast of the fatted calf are not for the prodigal sons of democracy. When works, mete for repent aDce, have been performed and due atone ment in the ranks have been made the de- serters of 1896 may again aspire to the seats of the prophet and the law-giver. Until then the faithful only should rewarded with N
 Troops Reach Lisbon