Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-04-26

New York, April 19.-The Brooklyn
Democratic Club gave a dinner last
night at the Germania Club to COM
memorate the 157 anniversary of the
birth of Thomas Jefferson. About 100
persons were present. The keynote was
opposition to Bryanism.
Ex- President Grover Cleveland wrote
letter Indicating that the road to sue
cess lay in adhering to tried principles
and policies of the Democratic party.
Judge Joseph j. Willet of Alabama,
attacked the candidacy of Hon. w. j.
Bryan and suggested Judge Augustus
Van Wyck as the Democratic candidate.
Speaking to the toast of 1.-The Restora-
tion of Jeffetsonian Democracy, ex-
Gov. James h. Campbell of Ohio, said
that the Democratic party must divorce
itself from Populism before it could
hope TO win. Mr.. Cleyeland's letter,
which was addressed to Louis f. Bur
chard Of the club, and read by him,
was as follows:
II regret that am unable to accept
your invitation to attend the dinner to
be given by the Brooklyn Democratic
Club on the 18th inst to commemorate
the birth of Thomas Jefferson.
when those who profess the Demo-
cratic faith meet to celebrate the birth
of the man who first gave that faith a
distinct formulation their pride in the
achievements and triumphs of the
party which he founded should not
entirely displaee all thought Of the
present situation and the conditions
which in the light of experience appear
to be essential to its success.
Though the faults of the party in
power are many, and though its offenses
against the political health and safety
CT the country are fragrant, these things
should not encourage US to base an ex-
pectation of success and hope for the
restoration of wholesome administration
upon the shortcomings of our adver-
saries. We should too well understand
I their ability to attach to their fortunes
the powerful contingent of selfish in
terests to place confident reliance upon
the weakness which ought to he the
penalty of their misdeeds.
Besides, none of US can close our
eyes TO the fact that the Democratic
party is only formidable in its own
strength. Its power to win victories
has always been found to depend upon
a sturdy and consistent adherence to
its time-honored principles, which have
proved sufficient to meet every emer
gency of our national life. Whatever
successes may have attended party Of
opportunity, with sails spread for every
transient breeze of popular sentiment
or excitement. experience has abund
antly demonstrated that Democracy il
SO constituted that it is only stronl
when courageous in the right, and only
victorious when its forces are marshalet
Il e., 81. a ,..I n
ards.
"Our principles are so simple ant
they accord so we'll with the homes
American disposition, which loves free
dom and cares for the public welfare
that they are easily understood by tn
Democratic masses. As q result Of tbi
there has never Been a time when falls
leadership of our party and departur
from simple Democratic faith have no
been quickly discovered and ruthlessl
rebuked by listless support, pronounce,
detection and bitter defeat. These con
sequences have thus far been so in
evitable that the lessons they teac
cannot be disregarded without invitin
calamity.
1.-THE heathfulness of our rarty ma
well be questioned when it shrinks frot
such an examination of its position a
will enable it 10 avoid disaster by keer
ing in course of safety under til
guidance of true Democracy.
Therefore those who claim to
followers of Thomas Jefferson will ia
to discharge a solemn duty if in thi
time of DOUBT and temptation the
neglect such an examination, and,
this discloses a tendency in party cor
troll to subordinate the principles {
pure Democracy and to distrust.the
oonquering power, then condition
should not continue without a BRAY
and early Democratic protest.
II have addressed these words |
fellow Democrats in the full consciou
ness that / am far removed from an
influence in party management, but
love the cid Democratic party, and
have written under the sanction
that freedom of speech which Thomi
jefferson placed among the cardin
factors of our Democratic creed. -