Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-21

% jefferson should be celebrated this
year by the organization, az in previous
years. To recall those principles and
traditions with which his name is so in
dclibly associated tends TO bring about
a revival OF Democratic control, based on
public questions. the conditions Of which
are not transitory.
INDIVIDUAL OPINIONS.
"To the explanation made to you that
individual opinions have not been con-
sdered' you replied that you do not un-
derstand how any individual opinions
can be ignored In a public gathering
Then you proceed 10 contrast your opin-
ions with mine: 10 emphasize their ar
tagonism, and finally declare that you
and l cannot with propriety join in
political banquet given In honor Of De-
mocracys patron saint
Your contention Is that the Chicago
platform applies Jeffersonian principles
to present conditions. and that because |
criticised that platform In its application
to conditions existing three years ago.
and then resisted your candidacy for the
presidency. therefore my presence at the
proposed dinner would not honor the
words greatest Democrat
THE course OF events will probably
Iations Of individual opinions to Demo
cratic gatherings and it is therefore. not
required OF me now TO divulge in a long
discourse on the relations in your politics
or temporary 10 permanent questions.
SILVER AT l6 TO 1.
"On returning from the Chicago con-
vention. ] explained my course In a pub
lie address to my constituents and justi
fed my protest on the ground that legis-
lation and executive action enforcing the
Chicago platform would be an assault on
wages and savings. bring on silver mono
metallism. and impair the obligation Of
contracts. thereafter cOntended
wherever / had opportunity that insist
ence by the United states on the coinage
ratio OF 16 10 / would be the grave Of
international bimetallsm. and that If
Europe opened it's mints at IL -. and this
government persisted in the ratio of 16
the result would be as I'm 1894. and the
United States would be left with only a
subsidiary currency.
Il answer you as an individual, and not
| as committing the organization of which
| | am president. No copy Of your letter
or this reply has been seen by any mem
Der Of the Democratic club. and will not
until after the reply has been mailed 10
you.
CH LLENGE IL COMBAI.
1T is not practicable for me to recall
in this letter the substance Of what
! have written or spoken during or since
the last presidential campaign in regard
! 10 the Chicago platform and it's many
| phases, although | do not in any way
recognize your right TO question my De-
! mocracy. / am sending YOU by this mail
a volume which certainly gives the list
of everything which has been published.
| and you are at liberty TO indicate and
expose any portion that is unpatrotic,
| un-Democratic, un-Amercan, or in con-
! hict with the Democratic creed as set
| forth in Jeffersons first inaugural address
| (SigneO PERRY BELMONT"
BRYAN ON IMPERIALISM.
CHATTANOOGA. TENN. March %. go
| Hon. W. J. Bryan was the guest of tbs
| Bryan Birthday Anniversary Club Of TINS
! city to-day. a largely-attended reception
was accorded TO Mr.. Bryan and Governor
| Benton McMillin. Of this State, at the
! Southern Hotel during the afternoon.
This evening Mr.. Bryan addressed an
| audience of 5000 people at the city Audi
| torium. Governor McMillin. Congressman
Moon. and other distinguished Democrats
| Of Tennessee occupying the rostrum with
the speaker Mr.. Bryan discussed the
| issues before the public. touching upon the
"
the standing army and imperialism. fol-
lowing lines similar to those of his re-
cent speeches.
Speaking of impel lalism. Mr.. Bryan
said: "Our nation IS tempted TO depart
from its standard Of morality and adopt
| a policy Of criminal aggression But VIII
! il Weld? If | mistake not the sentiment
/ of the American people. they VIII spurn
! the brbe Of Imperialism. and by re
/ sisting temptation win such victory as
! has not been won since the battle OF
! Yorktown.
! ANNEXATION UNNECESSARY.
/ s"The +orcib!e annexation Of the Philip
/ pines Is not necessary 10 make the United
| States a wOrld-pOwer For over ten de-
! cades our nation has been a world-power.
| During its brief existence il has eXerted
upon the human race an influence more
| potent for good than that of all the other
nations Of the earth combined, and 1t mas
! exerted that influence without a sword or
| a Gatling gun. Mexico and the republics
| of South America testify TO the benign
influence of our institutions. while Europe
and Asia give evidence of the working OF
the leaven Of self-government
In the growth of Democracy we observ
| the triumphant march Of an idea-an idea
! that would be weighed down rather than
aided by the armor and weapons proffer-
ed by lmperalists."
BRYAN ON "DEMOCRACH.'
Tonight Mr.. Bryan sat at banque
rendered him at the Southern fctel by
| the Bryan Birthday Anniversary club
Of this city. at which there were A3'
guests. including Governor Benton Me
Mnlln and Hon. John Tomlnson' mem
Der Of the National Democratic Executive
Committee from Alabama. Mr.. BryaI
responded to the toast. Democracy
Congressman John a. Moon spoke on Inc
"Fifty-ffth Congress"
WILL ATTEND DOLLAR FEAST.
CHATTANOOGA, TENN, March 90
Mr. Bryan said tonight that he would
attend the Dollar Banquet in New York,
If il is postponed until April 10Th, pro-
vided the management Of that entertain
ment make it distinctly Chicago plat
form banquet in honor OF Jefferson; other
wise not. He was Informed. on authority
that the management would postpone the
banouet If he would attend, but no answer
has vet been made as 10 whether the
affair will be made a distinctive Chicago
platform banquet.