Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-19
DINNER TO ANTl-BRYANlTES
GIVEN BY THE BROOKLYN DEMO-
CRATIC CLUB.
Ex-Goy. Campbell of Ohio the Main
Speaker-Letter From Grover
Cleveland.

The Rrooklvn Democratic Club gave a
dinner last night al the Germania Club to
commemorate the 18th anniversary of the
birth Of Thomas Jefferson About $50 per-
sons were present. At the guests table
We're Ex-Governor James E. Campbell OF
Ohio. Joseph ]. Willett of Alabama and
other prominent public men. Former Pres
ident Grover Cleveland sent letter re-
greeting his inability to be present and ex-
pressing his opinions on the present de-
mocracy.
A letter was also read from Ex-Governor
Boies of Iowa in which he advocated the
freedom of Cuba and the giving up of the
Philippines General Joseph Wheeler and
Colonel Norris c. Osborne. editor of the
New Haven Palladium, also sent letters OF
regret. The latter was to have responded
to the toast Thomas Jefferson
Joseph ]. Willett responded to the toast
"a Century Of Democracy Mr.. Wtllett
said he supported Bryan in 1896 and should
do so this year If he becomes the nominee.
He did not think Mr.. Bryan could be elect
ed however, on account of his devotion to
16 to l. He favored the nomination OF
Judge Van Wyck.
Ex-Gov. Campbe1rs Speech.
Ex-Governor Campbell followed with an
address on THE Restoration of Jeffer-
sonian Democracy" He said, in part: The
political party founded by Thomas Jeffer-
son cannot survive half democratic and
half populistic. There must be either dis
solution or restoration of pure democracy.
We are at the close Of century whose
dawn was illumined by the triumph of JEFF
ferSon. For sixty prosperous years his
doctrines guided an expanding country IN
peace and honor: then his party, although
comprising nearly two-thirds of the popu-
lation. quarreled and split The southern
wing became unmindful of Jefferson's ad-
monitiOns in regard to slavery, and be-
tween the contending factions minority
party marched to victory. That piece OF
folly-the first anti-Jeffersonian lapse on
the part of democracy-resulted in Danish
fuent for a quarter of a century. After
that atonement the party regained pubic
confidence by its persistent fight against
priviIege-especially that form of privilege
embodied in a protective tariff-and was
restored to power. 1t might have ruled
for another sixty years had 1t remained
intact and true to JefferSonian principles.
but. disregarding the ruinous lesson of 1860.
1t split again-and split not as before, upon
a great moral issue, but upon mere COM
u1ercial detail to the ratio of coinage.
Jefferson himself, with his usual precision.
had accurately defined the distinction be-
tween coinage and ratio Coinage was
political proposition, for, whether silver or
gold. or both. be coined, was q subject for
fair division between political parties: but
the ratio was a merely commercial ques-
zion and might be subject to change and
adjustment as the business Of the world
increased ana mines produced lnelr vary
ing supply. To refuse silver at the mint
was to augment the power of gold, thus
lowering values and increasing indebted
ness: but TO permit less than hundred
cents worth of commercial silver to be
coined as dollar neither good morals
nor wise craftsmanship"
He criticised the democratic party for its
fusion with the populiStS, and insisted that
the party of Thomas jefferson cannot live
part democrat and part populist-
Ex-President cIeveiand's Letter.
PRINCETON. y. j., April 10, 1900.
To Louis f. Burchard.
Dear Sir: I regret that I am unable to ac-
cept Your invitation to attend the dinner to
he given by the Brooklyn Democratic Club
on the 18th instant, to commemorate the
birth Of Thomas jefferson.
When those who profess the democratic
Saith meet TO celebrate the birth of the man
who first gave that faith distinct forrnu-
triUmPhS of the party which he founded
should not entirely diSplace 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 of the coun-
try are iiagrant these things should not en-
courage US to base an expectation of sue
cess and hope for the restoration of
wholesome administration upon the short
We should too well understand their abil-
ity u attach to their fortunes the powerful
contingent of selfish interests TO place con-
fid-ut reliance upon the weakness which
ought 10 be 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 forind Ia
depend upon a sturdy and consistent adher-
ence to its tiTne-honored principles which
haF+ proved suf1cleEt to meet every emer-
gency of our national life. Whatever sue
ca@S-S may have attended a party of oppor-
tuIity. with sails spread for every transient
breeze of popular sentiment or excitement
experience has abundantly demonstrated
ma 4Hmocracy IS SO constituted that it is
ohiN strong when courageous in the right
snd c.iy victorious when its forces are
H"rShs.led under its old and weli-organjzei
standards.
Principles Are Simple
our principles are so simple. and they
accord 50 well with the honest American
disposition which loves freedom and cares
for Ne public welfare. that they are easily
understood by the democratic masses AS
a result of This. there has never been a
tifne when false leadership of our party and
a departure from simple democratic faith
have not been quickly discovered and ruth
leNSlN rebuked by lstless support pro-
nOunced detection. and bitter defeat These
CONSTITUENCIES have thus far been so ineyita
Dl" thit lessons they teach cannot be. dis
regarded without inviting calamity.
The healthfulness of our party NAV we'll
b. questioned when il shrinks from such an
examination of its position as will enable II
10 avoid disaster by keeping in a course of
safety. under the guidance of true democ-
raCy-
Therefore. those who claim to be follow
erS IT Thomas Jefferson will fail TO dis
charge solemn duty IT, in this time of
doubt and temptation. they neglect such an
examination. and if this dfscl0ses n ten
deHcy In party control to subordinate the
principles Of pure democracy and to DIS
trust their conquering power. then condi-
Hons should not Continue without a bravo
and carly democratic protest
nave addressed these words 10 fellow.
democrats in the full Consciousness that I
am Tar removed from any influence IN marty
mann cement. but love the old democrats
party and l have written under The sane.
Ton Of that freedom Of speech which
Ih"Inas Jefferson placed among the car
dlndl factors of our democratic creed.
Your very truly.
GROVER CLEVELAND
THE SHORTEST WAR.
"A britfsh Campaign Begun and Ended
In One