The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-23
CRISIS AT HAND SAYS BRYAN.
IMPERIALISM HAS CHALLENGED
DEMOCRACY TO COMBAT.

to This Time-spoI<e ON Americas
Mission Before virginia Demo-
cratic Association.
Washington, Feb 22.-The Virginia
Democratic Association Of the District OF
Columbia celebrated Washingtons birth
day by a largely attended banquet at the
National Rifles armory.
Hon. William j. Bryan was the guest of
honor and among those present were
Gov. Tyler of Virginia. Sen
ators Daniel and Martin of Virginia,
Stewart of Nevada, Representatives Bail
ey and Cooper of Texas, Lentz of Ohio,
Greene of Wisconsin. Bartlett OF Geor-
gia, Sulzer of New York, DeArmond OF
Missouri, and Swanson of Virginia.
In the center of the stage to the rear
of the han was an immense floral design
presented to Mr.. Bryan by his admirers
Mr.. Bryan was given an enthusiastic re-
ception, and every reference to him by the
speakers was received with tremendous
applause.
Senator Daniel of Virginia was the first
speaker, responding to the toast George
Washington, We Celebrate His Birthday
Anniversary for his Worth as a Warrior,
Statesman and Patriot" He warmly eulo-
gized the memory of Washington and said
he was the uncrowned king of universal
liberty, enlightenment and progress.
Bailey Makes Response.
"Democracy's Mission" was responded
TO by Representative Bailey of Texas In
the course of his speech Mr.. Baiey le-
ferred to the organization of the Demo-
cratic party and the faithful manner in
which il had performed its mission.
THE men whose virtues we celebrate
tonight did not teach their children 20
exchange principles for success" ne said.
"They taught us that in this world prin-
ciple is worth infinitely more than
triumph, and if the principles are follow
ed out our triumph will follow our fidelity
to them.
81 crave success" said MIR. Bailey. "as
sincerely as any man, but l know there
are things worse than a defeat. We have
survived that before, and we can survive
that again. but we could not outlive
cowardly surrender of our principles. We
welcome the cooperation of all men who
will join with US in rescuing our beloved
country from the perilous situation into
which it has been led, but will brook no
deception of any man.
Predicts victory in 1900.
LAS certain as the years go by and the
| great national CONVENTION reassembles we
will rig up the platform made in 1896 and
in his pointing to Mr.. Bryan unsullied
name will wave the banner as stainless as
! his life Great APPLAUSE and then the
great commanders VIII give the orders for
! forward march and it viii be a march to
victory. Let us here and now renew our
! pledge and keep our faith, and when we
have fought the battle in its behalf and
won the victory, we shall receive as our
reward the confidence of a grateful people;
and we viii reward that confidence by re-
vitalizing. these great and essential prin-
| cipfes of human freedom which it is the
mission of our party to perpetuate and de-
| fend"
Mr.. Elliott Danforth of New York re-
! sponded to the toast, THE State of New
| York" He declared that the Democrats
of the entire state are anxious to give
| their votes to the next Democratic nomi-
nee for President, and in that contest
the standard-bearer of the party is with
| US tonight"
| Hon. D. A. De Almond responded TO the
toast, The Democratic Party-It Cannot
Die While the Republic Lives"
Bryan introduced.
The speaker made one of his character
istic speeches, which was heartily re-
ceived, and when he had concluded the
president introduced Hon. William j.
Bryan. who responded to the toast,
Americas Mission"
He said in part:
when the advocates of Imperialism
| find it impossible to reconcile a colonial
| policy with the principles of our govern
ment or with the canons Of morality; when
they are unable to defend it upon the
| ground of religious duty or pecuniary
| profit they fall back in helpless despair
! upon the. assertion that it is destiny.
| Suppose it does violate the constitution
they say; suppose it does break all the
| Commandments; suppose it does entail
upon the nation an incalculable expendi-
tupre of blood and money; it is destiny
| and we must submit
1.-THE people have not voted for i'm
| perialism; no national - convention has
| declared for it.; no Congress has passed
| upon it, = TO whom, then, has the future
| been revealed? Whence this voice of
authority? We can all prophesy. but our
prophesies are merely guesses, colored
| by our hopes and our surroundings. Mans
opinion of what is TO be is half wish and
! half environment. Avarice paints destiny
with dollar mark before it, militarism
| equips it with a sword.
He is the best prophet who, recogniz-
| ing the omnipotence of TRUTH comprehends
| most CLEARLY the great forces which are
working out the progress, not of one party.
not of one nation, but of the human race.
Some Historical Predictions.
History is rep,ete with predictions
| which once were the hue of destiny but
which failed of fulfllment because those
| who uttered them saw too small an arc
| of the circle of events When Pharaoh
| pursued the fleeing Israelites to the edge
| of the Red sea he was confident that their
bondage Would be renewed and that they
would again make bricks without straw,
but destiny was not revealed until Moses
| and his followers reached the further
| shore dry shod and the waves rolled over
the horses and chariots of the Egyptians,
When Belshazzar, on the last night OF
| his reign, lead his thousand lords into
the Babylonian banquet hall and sat down
to a TAME glitterng with vessels of sill
yer and gold, he felt sure Of his kingdom
| for many years to come, but destiny was
not revealed until the hand wrote upon
| the wall those awe-inspiring words,
Meme Meme, Tekel Upharsin' When
| Adderrahman swept northward with his