Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-12
DEMOCRATIC FEAST.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PACED

cry for 1900. who Is suggested as our
logical standard-bearer for that cam
paign? AS Thomas Jefferson was recog-
nized IN his day as the greatest hero
who ever fought for human liberty, 1t Is
natural for US to ask ourselves whom
have we I'm this day more entitled to that
praise than that young Napoleon OF De-
mocracy, who so nobly and eloquently led
that great host of 100000 American free
men In 1885, and who since then has elec-
trified this entire country with his politl-
cal wisdom? Young. active, energetic
patriotic, and, above all. an honest, CHRIS
tian gentleman, one who would Willingly
iay aside any personal ambition he might
have for another his party believed bet
ter able to Save the party and Its princi-
pies and carry 1t to victory in 1900.
whatever platform or candidate our
national convention gives us, this organi-
cation will be loyal to II. IL there are
any who believe another platform Is bet
ter than the one OF 1896, let them name 1t
and give their reasons for such belief.
II there are any who believe that young
nolitical Hercules who led us in 1896 Is not
the man to lead in 1900 let them name
another who would be- more likely 10
win and give us their reasons Tor SUCH
decision. From the information we can
gather. from one end OF TINS country W
the other, and from what our own IN
teIlect teaches us, We are prepared 10 soy
IN Won now that in 1900 this orBanina 'ioi
will be found fighting for the prihoipies Vi
the Chicago platform as our pattio cry,
and for William Jennings Bryan, inc
campion Of the liberties OF the peopie' %
our standard bearer"
MESSAGE FROM MIR. WILLARD
DR.. Harper received telegram rom
Hon. Joseph T. Willard, at forest mn,
summerville. $. c., in which MI hh"lu
expressed his sincere regret ,nal nc
would be unable to attend the banquet
and thanking the association iVi TO
thoughtful appreciation In inVilihg hiii'
SENATOR DANIELS SPEECH.
After the discussion of an excellent
menu. Or. Harper introduced Sen"'oi
Daniel, who said, in part:
There is much human nature among
Democrats, and perhaps there Is sonie
orror hut II Is a good deal when man
starts right" soro,.
The Senator'S voice was clear ana iorci'
HE and mis- eloquent tones were easily
heard throughout the hall. "A man can
no right. however, when he Is hshihe
around with every party that comes
along" - ~,
senator Daniel paid his respects to tn'
! VIRGINIA Democratic Association IN spieh
| did terms. He thanked the members %
tho association for their consistency
the Democratic cause. They were orsp
nized. he said. twenty years ago. Whei
| the Democracy was discoroah'' ENo'
since that time the Nirginans hac
received the associations assurance an'
| support. - c.o,
Danisl 'the Democrats of this country
vera not in ore half as good condition
as they are now. There have been many
times when the skies were darker thar
| they are now.
CONVERTING A REPUBLICAN,.
win tbis the Senator told of one o.
bis political excursions from bynchpurS
several wears ago, in company with 1--WE
other orators. to a Democratic meeting
where they expected to have lars'
audience but i'm reality had an audience
os only three persons. one Republican
| They seated the Republican on loS am
proceeded 10 convince him by oralory
the error OF his way. =.
"That was one meeting, az least, ue'
clared the Senator, where Democracy
gained through diplomacy and address.
have always been hopeful or the peHo'
cratic party. | have never gone mo
fight that | did not feel that the Deiio
Gratis would furnish enlightmeh' lor NV
voters" A., .a,,,is
senator Daniel then told Of the admls
r,or ~ North Dakota, South Dakota,
wyoming. and Idaho into the Union, aho
win Republican senators. He was srati'
aed IN see that I'm 1896 the Democrats
vent 10 Chicago to declare what they
thought. and to see the States reierIeu
N holding to the Democratic platform
when he added that he always had De
lieved there was special providence loi
"smau children. drunken men, ana Dem
ocrats" there was prolonged applause
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
ct am not going TO discuss the platform
~ 1000 - said the Senator. "There Is ho'
q line in the Chicago platform In whicr
7 40 nor believe. There is not line or
word in 1t that a man VINO Is eohsu,u'
tional lawyer cannot demonstrate 10 ue
sound in principle. The Democratic pi",
form of 1896 is like ship-irohciau' ~
o. imnreguable, sound in logic ana
orais II will stand the test. There ii
no nartv that was ever able TO lay down
,,s Ura ~ battle before it was on the
cola No political party in 100 years mas
hean able 10 make two campaigns on tn'
soroa platform. not because they were
not true to their principles, but because
thera has never been two CONSECUTIVE
four wears that did not present dinereh
nroblems. and problems IN dlieren'
REPRESENTATIVE JONES.
Representative Jones was the mex
sneaker. He reafirmed his belief in th'
Chicago platform and IN Bryan Tor lsvV
Mr. Jones's speech was emphatic ana III
nassioned. lie said. among other Things
That "parties do not make issues, pu
issues make the parties lie thouSh
thew could say now, as well as a yea
hence that the Democrats would reaiiirn
the platform OF 1896 ,,...no
"If not" he said, "let some Democri
tell me what shall be lett out OF "a
nlatform. AS for myself 1 am not read
- strike out any declaration in That pia.
form" He thought that instead OF modi
fying the planks they should be strensth
ened, especially the plank concerning
trusts. -,
The Democratic party, he said, VII
I meyer put Itself on record as endorsni
the conduct of the Republican admins
tratIon in the Philippines, and 1t VII
never abandon, in my humble opinion, IN
principles of 1896. He believed brya
nd