The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-02-24

|
! WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-Tbe Vir
ginia Democratic Association of the
District OF Columbia celebrated
Washington's birthday by largely
attended banquet at the Nationa
Rifles armOry tonight.
| Hon. VIM. j. Bryan was the guess
of honor and among those present
we're Senators Daniel and Martin, OF
Virginia; Stewart, of Nevada
Representatives Bailey and Cooper
OF Texas, and Bartlett, of Georgia
In the center of the stage to the rear
of the hall was an immense floral
design presented to Mr.. Bryan by
his admirers. Mr.. Bryan was given
an enthusiastic reception and every
reference to him by the speakers was
received with tremendous applause.
Senator Daniel of Virginia, was
the first speaker. He was followed
by Representative Bailey of Texas.
who responded to the toast Dem
ocracy's Mission" In the course of
his speech Mr.. Bailey said:
81 crave success, as sincerely as any
man, but know there are things worse
than defeat. We have survived that
oefore and we can survive that again,
but we could not outlive a cowardly
surrender of our principles. We well
come the cooperation of all men who
Will Join us in rescuing our beloved
country from the perilous situation in
to which it has been led, but will brook
no deception of any man. We will tell
hat 10 81
canvass with no apologies on the last
one we made.
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 give the banner
as stainless as his life great applause),
and then the great commanders will
give the order, Forward march, and it
will De march to victory"
Hon. Elliott Danforth, of New
York, responded to the toast, 1.-The
State of New York" He declared
that the Democrats of the entire
State are anxious to give their votes
to the next Democratic nominee for
President, and in that contest the
standard bearer of the party was
with us tonight.
The President then introduced
Hon. VIM. j. Bryan, who responded
to the toast, Americas Mission"
He said in part:
"We have reached another crisis. The
ancient doctrine of imperialism, ban
lshed from our land more than CEN
Jury ago, has recrOssed the Atlantic
and challenged Democracy to mortal
combat upon American soil. Whether
the Spanish war shall be known in
history as war for liberty or as war
of conquest; whether the principles of
government shall be strengthened
or abandoned; whether this nation shall
remain a homogeneous republic or
become a heterogeneous empire-these
questions must be answered by the
American people-when they speak,
and not until then, will destiny be re-
vealed.
"Destiny is not matter of chance, it
Is matter of choice; it is not thing to
be waited for, it is a thing to be achiev-
ed.
"No one can see the end from the be-
but everyone can make his
course an honorable one from begin
ming to end, by adhering to the right
under all circumstances. Whether
man steals much or little may depend
upon his opportunities, but whether he
steals at all depends upon his own Volt
ton.
$50 with our nation. If we embark
upon career of conquest, no one can
tell how many islands we may be able
to seize or how many races we NAV be
able to subjugate; neither can any one
estimate the cost, immediate and re-
mote, to the nations purse and to the |
nations character, hut whether we shall |
enter upon such career is a question |
which the people have right to decide |
for themselves.
unexpected events may retard or
advance the nations growth, but the |
nations purpose determines its destiny. |
"What is the nations purpose? That |
purpose is set forth clearly and I'M
in the first sentence of the
1--WE, the people of the United States,
In order to form a more perfect union,
establish justice, insure domestic tran
guilty, provide for the common defense,
promote the general welfare. and secure
the blessings of liberty to ourselves and
to our posterity, do Ordain and estab lish
this Constitution for the United States
Of America
at will be seen that one of the main
purposes of the founders of our Govern
nent was to secure for themselves and
Tor posterity the blessings of liberty.
"That purpose has been faithfully fol-
Owed up to this time. Our statesmen
have opposed each other upon economic
questions, hut they have agreed in de-
lending self-government as the con-
rolling national idea. They have quar-
'eled among themselves over tariff and
nance, but they have been united in
heir opposition to an entangling al
lance with any European power.
"Under this policy our nation has
crown in numbers and in strength.
Under. this policy its beneficient in
luence has encircled the globe. Under
his policy the taxpayers have been
pared the burden and the menace of a
arge military establishment, and the
'oung men have been taught the arts
Il peace rather than the science of war.
IN each returning Fourth of July our
'eople have met to celebrate the sign
ng of the Declaration Of independence;
heir hearts have renewed their vows
o free Institutions, and their voices
ave praised the forefathers whose
wisdom and courage and patriotism
made it possible for each succeeding