The times., 1899-02-23

that host OF $500, 900 American freemen in
1896. and who stands today the greatest
living eXemplar of Jefferson. Jackson, Mon
roe. and Webster. and who more recently
has shown his patriotism in another way
by shouldering his musket to defend his
country against foreign enemy. | repeat
it. if you give to us in 1900 Chicago plat
form and William Jennings Bryan our
leader, and other States will do as | can
pledge you Virginia will do, will plant
that banner of Jeffersonian Democracy on
hilltop throughout this great Republic. en-
blazing upon high those principles given TO
us by jefferson in the Declaration OF Amer
lean Independence that all men are Great
ed equal: that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalenable rights.
among which are life, liberty. and the pur-
| suit of happiness; that to secure these
rights governments were Instituted among
| men. deriving their just powers from the
| consent of the governed
Senator Daniel.
Senator Daniel then responded to the
| toast George Washington" He said in
part:
The story of the conqueror is gen
orally the story of dynasty party feud.
and schism, but the story of George
Washington is the story of nation
giving liberty and light. 1t mattered
not how much we might differ as to 3pin-
ion he must ever remain the father of his
country. America alone could not claim
him; he was the uncrowned king, and the
first citizen in the great republic of hui
manity.
1T would be difficult to determine
whether he has had more effect during his
life or since his death by his splendid ex-
ample and announced precepts.
1t was meet that this association
should ha
descendants of his neighbors and friends.
No exclusive privilege was claimed. The
Republican party might as well celebrate
his birthday, for Washington was not
party man. He was a Democrat in the
basic, generic sense of the word. in that
he believed and taught that it wa, the
right of the people to rule. He was also
Republican in that he believed in Repub-
lican principles.
His character has passed beyond the
range of eulogistic words. He was the
greatest of great men and the best of good
men. There was not a land governed by
principles of Christianity where there was
not some individuals who were not bowling
with thankfulness for his life. Rivers,
streams lakes and mountains were called
after him. and the mightiest stream and
the smallest rll Numbered with his fame.
He was never eXcelled as a general His
military achievements were the greatest
in the annals OF war. Still ii was not be-
cause he was so great soldier that the
world had bowed before him. 1t was not
because he was so great a statesman. He
was the purest of all patriots. but every
age had produced patriots. 1t was not
alone because he was so honorable a man.
All this might have been and yet the
world would not have singled him out.
There is something in the life of Wash
ington that stood higher than all these. II
was the idea he stood for-the idea of hu-
man rights" [Applause.l
He went forth a young man of wealth
and property a quiet and conservative
man. He went to the British brethren.
who know more about US than they did
then [applausel. and their love for us is
increasing with their knowledge He went
to country meeting in Old Fairfax in 111O
and propounded one of the best Democratic
platforms that was ever written declar-
ing for the rights of the people
Mr.. Daniel then followed him to Phila-
delphia to the Continental Congress, when
he announced the time had come when the
issue with Great Britain must be made,
resulting in the Boston tea party and the
success of American soldiery over England.
George Washington was where he was
because he had stood for a principle and
the speaker declared that if George Wash
ington were alive he would be attending
the banquet tonight.
Prolonged cheers greeted Mr. Daniel at
his conclusion.
Linwood B. Taylor, of the Monticello
Quartette, here sang song, composed by
". T. Whelan, entitled The Flag" and
dedicated to the Virginia Democratic Asso-
~ ha bap ;osr,
rus. Mr.. Taylor was encored very enthu-
siastically and sang The Jeffersonian
Banner dedicated to ". J. Bryan. This
song proved so popular that it was inter-
rupted many times with applause and had
to be repeated in response to calls.
Mr.. BniIey's speech.
The toast "Democracys Mission" was re-
sponded to by Hon. Joseph W. Bailey. Mr.
Bailey said, in part:
In responding TO the sentiment
which has just been prop-5cd /
might. with propriety, consider De-
mocracy in a broader sense. but with
great propriety can consider it in re-
stricted sense to that party in which we
are all so proud to claim a membership,
and it is in that sense ! shall speak of it
tonight.
In single sentence, it Is to perpetuate
the great principles which Washington had
helped to incorporate into the Constitu-
tion.
1t is entirely true that the great
principles of the party were in the
| brain of man before our country was ever
dreamed OF. The organization of the Dem
ocratic party was rendered necessary by
men who did not believe in the principles
of our government. 1t was to rebut the
efforts of a powerful party which had or
ganized to undo the work of Washington
at Philadelphia. How well il has fulfilled
its mission would require much time TO tell.
1t has done well in all the past years, but
a new school has arisen in our midst, who
tell us that times have changed and we
must change with them. That may be. but
to tell us that the great principles of hu-
man freedom go on changing is 10 defeat
| the work of ages. We tell them that we
despise a victory that is won by sacri
| flee of principle The victory would be
worse than any defeat we have encoun
| tered.
Why should We forsake or compromise
| our principles now? What is there in the
| past of the party to justify course like
| that? | crave success as much as any
! man. We can survive defeat, but we could
| not outlive a cowardly surrender Of cur
| principles.
We will join all men to help our coun-
| try, but we intend to 20 into the next
| canvass with no apology on our lips for
our past" [Great applause
Continuing, he said as certainly as the
| years go by and the Democratic convention
| reassembles the platform of 1896 would be
| reafIirmed and put the banner that was
| as stainless as his life Ipointing 10
| RryanI IADplause