The age-herald., 1900-10-28
DEMOCRATS MEET
 TO HEAR SPEECHES Congratulations Extended 10 Ma
 tionaI Democracy
ENTHUSIASTIC WARFARE RE
Congressman Underwood Makes Ring ing Speech on Great Political Is-
 sues of the Hour Audience Small But Hearty

: which it is urging against monopolies, trusts and imperialism. Second, That this meeting hereby unqualifedly endorses and uphods the principles and policies of the Demo- | cratic party as enunciated in its plat E form at Kansas City. * Third That this meeting pledges it's hearty and earnest support to the nominees upon the national Democrat ic ticket, and urge all who believe in the mantainence of free institutions and a stable form of government, : wisely and economically administered within constitutional limitations to go s to the polls on November and vote for the party nominees.
 
 The above resolutions were adopted by the Democracy of Birmingham last night at a meeting in Seals Hall The meeting was presided over by Gen. Charles M. Shelley, president of the Jefferson County Democratic Club, who introduced the speakers of the evening.
 Congressman Oscar W. Underwood Col Sumter Lea and Samuel l.. Weaver were the speakers
 In calling the meeting to order, General Shelley stated that it was In accordance with an appeal from the National Demo- cratic Committee that grand rally be held in every voting precinct throughout the country last night He said that on the result of the election on November de- pended the fate of the government; that the form of government would be changed to some extent as a result of that elec- ton. 'If we are defeated" said he, 'it will be only temporarily, and we will have an organization that will bring us victory four years hence."
 Mayor Drennen, chairman of the com mittee on resolutions, reported the resolu- tions, which were unanimously adopted
 Col Sumter Lea was introduced by the chairman. Colonel Lea referred to the fact that Democratic rallies were being held in every city in the United States at that time, and added that the party was en- gagged in the greatest undertaking in the history of the country.
 Down in this end of the continent we believe in political predestination," said Colonel Lea, "and it is hard to get up en- thusiasm, but when we do get aroused and pull together we feel better"
 He referred to the acquisition of Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines, and ar gued against expansion of that kind.
 Senator Pettus says we are on the front porch of the nations of the world" con- tinued Colonel Lea, "and the young citi- zenship will live to see this the center of civilization"
 He said there were some differences re- garding the Kansas City platform, but de- clared that it embodied good old Demo- cratic principles, and that encouraging re- ports were coming from all portions of the country
 Shakespeare said that some men were born great, that some had achieved great ness and that others had greatness thrust upon them, but it was left to the Ameri- can people to develop another kind of great ness. Only one American had greatness thrust upon him - Washington. Jackson achieved greatness; but another citizen has purchased greatness, and he rules this country today"
 The speaker here compared Mark Hanna to the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, and declared that were that notorious ruler to come from the lower regions he would take out an injunction against Marcus Aurelius Hanna further using his name. He closed his speech with a splendid eu- logy on William Jennings Bryan. Congressman o. w. Underwood was next introduced. His speech was replete with facts going to prove the unworthiness of the present administration and the absurd ity of their claim to having been a busi- ness administration. He began by saying: T always try to be worthy of the com- mission you have placed in my hands, and the best way to do that is to follow the Democratic principles. We are assembled here tonight for the purpose of following Democratic principles and to preserve them. ''The question the American people have to consider is whether the administra ton elected four years ago is worthy to retain the power placed in their hands When the administration goes to the people it must stand on its record. A great deal is said about what the Republicans have done for | this country, but I challenge any Republi- can to anayZe the acts of the administra- tion and then say if any one has benefited | the whole country.
 "The Republicans base the hope of re- | election on the fact that the country is | prosperous. The country is more prosper | ous than it was four years ago, but have | the Republicans brought about this changed condition? l think not. They claim that it | is business administration. Let's see if | il has been a business administration. A | short time after Cleveland went out of l office the Pacific Railroad case was settled l and $59,0O0,0OO paid into the United States l Treasury. A little later the president of | the National City Bank of New York wrote
 letter to Secretary Gage, and it IS now | on file, stating that his bank had been a l government depository and asked that it | be continued such. He stated that the
 administration was under obligations to the | directors of the bank. The letterhead of
 the bank showed that John D. Rockefeller
 was director of the bank. MT. Rocke-
 feller gave the Republican campaign com
 mittee a check for s10O,O00 The bank was
 continued as government depository. At
 that time about s2O0,OO0 was kept on de-
 pcsit there, just enough to pay the expenses
 of the government in that city. Soon $24,-
 0OOO0 was deposited with the bank and
 stayed there over two years. notwithstand-
 ing the UnitedStates had become involved